FAQ For Anger Management Classes with Anger Management 818
- Q: Does Anger Management 818 offer court approved anger management classes or court approved Anger Management programs?
Since there is no legislation on anger management yet, Los Angeles does not have a court approved Anger Management program. The court does give credit for participants completing anger management courses through Anger Management 818.
- Q: My partner/ friend would like to attend the anger management classes with me. Can s/he come to the anger management intake appointment with me?
Partners and family members cannot be in the same anger management class together. There are many reasons for this policy. Your partner may, however, attend other anger management classes through our program. We currently offer 20+ anger management classes weekly, so there are many options.
- Q: Does Anger Management 818 offer a sliding scale for anger management classes?
To help accommodate participants with financial concerns, Anger Management 818 offers anger management classes at a low-fee rate of $20 versus the $30 regular class rate.
- Q: Do you accept insurance for the Anger Management program?
We can accept insurance, but only when doing therapy. Insurance does not cover psycho-educational classes such as anger management since it is not therapy. A diagnosis needs to be treated for insurance to cover fees. Should you want to use insurance, you can request for therapy sessions with our clinical staff. In addition, if you are court-ordered, note that many insurance companies do not cover court-ordered therapy. Please check with your insurance company.
- Q: How many anger management classes do I need to take if I’m coming voluntarily?
During the anger management registration process, an assessment will be taken to assess your anger management needs. A clinical overview will also be given which will rule out any clinical concerns that contribute to the anger. Based on the assessment, the anger management intake counselor will suggest the number of classes recommended. In general, we recommend a minimum of three months (one session per week) for a habit to be formed, and six months to maintain the newly learned skills.
- Q: Are there any free anger management courses?
Unfortunately, we do not offer free anger management classes, nor anger management services, unless you are a U.S. veteran and are coming voluntarily. If you are court-ordered, be sure you select an anger management provider on the CAAMP provider list. You can talk to one of our anger management counselors for further referrals.
- Q: How many participants are there in each anger management group?
Our anger management classes consist of 3-10 participants in each anger management group.
- Q: What is the difference between the low fee anger management classes and the regular fee anger management classes?
There is no difference in the material presented. However, our low fee anger management classes often have more court-ordered participants than the regular fee classes composed of participants coming to the Anger Management program voluntarily. Both classes are accepted for the purposes of court-order.
- Q: Do I need my court papers in order to enroll in your Anger Management program?
Yes, we recommend that you bring your court papers if you are interested in receiving a progress report for the courts. No, you do not need to bring your court papers to enroll in our Anger Management program, however it is helpful for the anger management counselor to review and confirm that you are in the correct program. If you need progress reports for the court you must bring your court papers.
- Q: How is the parking situation? Is there free parking? Where do I park?
Beverly Hills: There are both metered parking options and free parking available.
Glendale: There is free parking on Pioneer Street. If you park in the building’s parking structure, the rate is $10/hour.
Hollywood: Free parking is available along the streets. There is also the option to park in the parking structure across the street from the building. The rate is $21, unless you ask for a $3/hour parking pass from the counselor.
Pasadena: Free parking is available in the parking lot behind the building and along the streets.
Sherman Oaks: There are metered parking spaces on the surrounding block. There is the option of parking in the lot of the building. The rate is $9/ hour. Parking in the lot is free if you are there on weekends and/or leaving on a weeknight after 9 PM. We do not offer validation.
Studio City: There are free and metered parking spaces along the streets.
Torrance: Free parking is available in the parking lot. There is also space available at the front and back of the building.
Valencia: Free parking is available in both the parking lot and along the streets.
West Los Angeles: Free parking is available along the streets around the building. After 5:30pm, there is also free parking in the garage under the building.
Woodland Hills: Free parking is available on Ventura Blvd.
- Q: Do you accept walk-ins for anger management enrollment?
No. Clients need to enroll online and attend an intake appointment prior to coming to class. To insure that you will be seen, please contact one of our anger management counselors to schedule an appointment at (818) 990-0999.
- Q: How many anger management classes can I take in one week?
Once you are enrolled in our Anger Management program, you can take any of the anger management classes we have available at any time in any location. Though we can offer accelerated classes, you can only take more than one class per week if you meet one of the following requirements:
a- You sign our “Verification of Volunteer” form declaring that you are a volunteer, and that no paperwork will be requested for proof of enrollment or progress;
b- You provide us with a signed form from the judge stating that you are permitted to take more than one class per week;
c- Your court minutes reflect that you are permitted to take more than one class per week; or
d- Probation/ Workplace / DCFS Worker informs us in writing that you are permitted to take more than one class per week.
- Q: How long before I can see results in my behavior?
Anger management counselors will suggest at least 26 sessions of Anger Management classes for results to be practiced and noticeable. The results will also depend on whether you are practicing the anger management skills learned in class outside of class. Some participants have reported a change within a few weeks, so this will depend on whether or not you are practicing the skills learned in your anger management classes.
- Q: I need to show proof of enrollment for an Anger Management program right away! How fast can I get it?
Proof of enrollment for anger management can be provided the same day you enroll for a fee of $50. We can provide you with an anger management progress report at most of the classes. Please request a progress report in writing (via text or email) at least eight days in advance to avoid the $50 expedited fee. In general, you have three weeks to enroll from your initial court date. It’s your responsibility to enroll soon enough to get the appropriate paperwork.
- Q: Is it required that I purchase the anger management book to be enrolled in the Anger Management program?
You will be required to purchase the anger management workbook for $20. The book can be purchased through Amazon, or through our company. All classes follow materials presented in the book including anger management tools and anger management tips.
- Q: Can your Anger Management program provide my attorney with any information as needed?
Our anger management facilitators can only release information if we have a signed consent from the client authorizing us to do so. Once we have a signed release, we can speak to your attorney.
- Q: What form of payment is accepted in your Anger Management program?
Anger Management 818 accepts Credit Cards, PayPal, Checks and Cash.
- Q: Do I have to pay for anger management classes in advance?
No, you do not have to pay for the anger management classes in advance. It is your choice whether or not to pay in advance for anger management services. Payment is due at the time of service.
- Q: Do you offer individual Anger Management sessions, or executive coaching?
Yes, we do offer executive coaching at all of our locations. You would have the option of working with a licensed clinician, pre-licensed clinician or a certified anger management counselor. This is a great option for anonymity, and for those who do not feel comfortable in a group setting. In addition, the program will be customized to your needs.
- Q: Is there any penalty for coming in late to an anger management class?
Clients are only allowed to attend class if they arrive no more than 5 minutes late. If a participant misses more than 5 minutes, the session will not count for the courts.
- Q: Will I get a certificate once I have completed my anger management sessions?
Yes. Once anger management classes are completed you will receive a progress report for the courts to show your completion of the Anger Management program.
- Q: Do you offer Anger Management for Teens?
Yes. Anger Management 818 offers a teen anger management group for ages 13-17 at the Sherman Oaks and Glendale locations. Positive and negative interactions with others are explored along with skills covering stress management, and communication. Raising self-awareness is also of focus. The program will also help teens express anger productively while enhancing relationships with others.
- Q: Do you offer Anger Management for Women only?
Yes. Anger Management 818 offers anger management for women only. If there is no current active group, one can be started upon request. The participant fee doubles during this process until a second person joins the group. For example, if the anger management group fee is $30, the participant will pay $60 until a second person joins.
FAQ About Anger Management in General
- Q: I’ve been court ordered to do anger management, but they didn’t specify how many anger management classes to take. What does this mean?
When a court orders you to do anger management, and does not specify the number of classes, this usually means for you to take 26 weeks, which is a full course of an Anger Management program. It is advisable to verify this information with your attorney.
- Q: Will anger management classes help me to never be angry again?
Anger is a basic human emotion and it is unrealistic to expect to never feel anger. Anger management classes are not designed to eliminate anger; however, they teach you effective skills to help manage your anger in both healthy and appropriate ways.
- Q: How do I know if I need Anger Management?
Anger Management is helpful if you are having difficulty controlling your temper, or are having angry outbursts that lead to significant problems with the law, at work, at school, or in public situations such as driving. Of course there are different levels of anger. If someone has complained to you about your anger, then that’s an indicator that you may need to look into receiving anger management help.
- Q: What is the difference between Anger Management and Batterer’s Treatment Program?
Anger Management programs are sometimes utilized in place of Batterer’s Intervention Program. While excellent at what they are designed to do, Anger Management programs do not generally meet the needs of most batterers. We do not offer classes for Batterer’s Intervention or Domestic Violence.
Anger management is extremely inappropriate for domestic abusers if it is the only treatment/counseling the abuser will be receiving. Anger management is appropriate for perpetrators of stranger or non-intimate partner violence, road rage, simple battery, and workplace violence.
- Q: Is anger management a form of therapy?
Our Anger Management program is not used for therapy; rather it is used for coaching and learning different tools and techniques to manage and prevent aggressive behavior.
- Q: Can cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) help with anger management?
Many of the methods used in anger management classes lean on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches people to evaluate the underlying thoughts creating strong emotions, and help to retrain people to avoid needless and untrue thoughts that have predicted behavior in the past. Moving away from black and white thinking to a stance of considering a multiple range of interpretations may prove useful in helping to quell anger or learning to express it in different ways.
- Q: How do I know whether I have a problem with substance use rather than anger?
Finding yourself only getting angry when under the influence is an indicator of a substance use problem. Though some participants will say that using substances helps them relax, when the substance wears off the emotions begin to surface. Sometimes the emotions become too overwhelming, especially if one does not have the necessary coping skills to help them through the vulnerable emotions.
- Q: Would it be more beneficial for me to be part of an anger management class or executive coaching?
In a class setting, participants learn from others’ experiences and feedback; however, the material being reviewed is kept more general. When receiving executive coaching, the Anger Management program becomes tailored to the participant’s needs. Anger Management tools will be reviewed in both settings.
