Working with Anger in Internal Family Systems Therapy Paperback – April 12, 2012

Working with Anger is an easy and productive read--especially if you are doing enough IFS work to encounter angry parts (in yourself or client) from time to time, but not so much that you're a master in working with them. Jay's style is easy and conversational, and he's also well-organized; good combination of theory, session excerpts, and practical suggestions from someone who knows his stuff. A bit of what's here is a useful review of basic IFS--e.g., the distinction of "speaking for" vs. "speaking from" angry parts. New contributions include clarifying where expressing anger (even in a clinical situation) is useful (e.g., disowned parts, exiles), and when it's not (e.g., protector anger acted out where the anger sits with another part). Most of the material was new, yet fit well within the IFS framework I'm training on. There are also places where Jay augments the "core" IFS framework (e.g., re-parenting); good additions, and I like that Jay distinguishes additions from the core model so you can have that information in deciding where to go with it. Another pro of a professional booklet: facilitating materials of just the right length.Originally, the kindle edition didn't have a way to print out the help sheet...that caused me to debate between giving it 4 or 5 stars. However, Jay responded to that concern by making the help sheet available to kindle users--so this booklet rates a solid 5.Nice job!

Facilitating the expression of anger in clients is a major challenge for many mental health professionals because it so easily activates our own unresolved childhood experiences with anger--which are usually very negative. When learning to express anger more appropriately, many of us (therapists and clients) swing dramatically from stuffing anger to dumping anger on others in harmful ways. Rarely can most of us transition from suppression of anger or acting out in anger to what Jay Earley describes as owning our strength--the positive qualities that get disowned along with the anger. These qualities include healthy aggression, aliveness, personal power, the ability to adopt a powerful stance in the world, and feel a zest for life. In this important contribution to putting Richard Schwartz' Internal Family Systems Therapy into therapeutic practice, Earley explains step-by-step how therapists can facilitate the safe expression of anger in clients. You recognize that an angry part of the psyche has positive intentions but needs to be owned and integrated into one's internal system of parts. This way our strengths are no longer banished along with our fears, concerns, and even shame about expressing anger destructively. I highly recommend this book because it is exceptionally clear and straightforward and it fills an important gap in the IFS literature.

This is an excellent book whcih I am uisng with some of my clients. I recommend this book for MFT Working with Anger in Internal Family Systems Therapy

I highly recommend this book if have problems with "anger management" eg. exploding with bursts of rage and also when you never feel anger. If you don't feel anger at all that is a sign that you disowned it along with your personal Strength.And if you want to dive into IFS I recommend Jay Earleys other books, especially Self-Therapy Vol. I, which explains what is this school therapy about.It has to be said that this booklet is one of many chapters from Self-Therapy Vol. III, probably better price option if you want do explore more than anger.

Loved this short little book. I've read a number of IFS books previously (which is what I'd recommend before getting this one). Jay jumps right into content, describing the various ways anger can show up and how one can use IFS to handle each situation. Very practical and useful for both myself and my clients.

Great little guide with powerful nuggets about anger. I Love the IFS model, and I am happy I discovered this powerful form of therapeutic care

Before commenting on the booklet itself, I want to cheer the concept of booklets. Thanks to Jay and Amazon for letting me get what I need to know without having to wade through 250 pages of repeated information.One of the beautiful things about the IFS model is that the practitioner can approach the inner system with no preconceptions and quickly find out everything that is needed by asking simple questions. However, I believe that having a sense of how the inner system tends to organize itself can be helpful as well. Jay has a knack for recognizing and clearly describing these patterns in a way that can benefit anyone who wants to understand more about what is happening inside the mind.In this volume, he addresses angry parts. Imagine someone being angry at you right now, or remember the last time someone was. If you are like most people, you will have a negative reaction based on your history, when you experienced anger as hurtful, scary, and destructive. These reactions can make it impossible to follow the IFS credo of "All parts are welcome." Jay introduces us to various manifestations of angry parts and presents ways to work with and understand them. His session with "Dorothy" is especially enlightening. Reading this booklet should increase anyone's acceptance of and ability to work with anger.

This book helped me to understand myself on a much deeper level than anything else I have read. The author is so clear and offers detailed descriptions of what these types of anger look like so that there is no misunderstanding. He even gives a script of working with a patient so that it is easy to see what it is like to work with your various parts. This way you can help yourself in those difficult moments of anger. I find that really valuable because changing behavior needs to be immediate and in the moment. It is not always as effective when you talk about it a week later with a therapist. Now I have an action plan on how to handle those moments when I feel like my emotions are taking over. Thank you Dr. Jay Earley!

Should have paid more attention when ordering - this is a really short "booklet," not a full book. There's not a lot of information in it.

Este libro es una joya, viene perfectamente claro, resumido, concreto, con ejemplos. Una guía extraordinaria para el trabajo con partes internas en conflicto. Gracias!!!

I found this book to be well written. It gives me a new look on anger issues that is unique and truly useful. I think anyone interested in anger issues should read this book. I highly recommend it to people working in anger management as therapists too.

Great book. the reader needs to work through it sincerely and is not spoon feeding. Plenty of support.

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