Finding Therapy And Online Anger Management Classes

Medically reviewed by Andrea Brant, LMHC and Arianna Williams, LPC, CCTP
Updated October 10, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Effectively managing anger can be a daunting task, but understanding anger and learning to navigate it in a healthy way is a critical skill. Left unchecked, anger affects your health, both mental and physical, and it can result in a host of negative side effects, such as high blood pressure and anxiety. 

Support and therapy: Anger management classes and counseling

If you find yourself experiencing challenges with anger and want help addressing them, it can be hard to figure out where to start. Whether you're looking for reduced-cost or free online anger management resources that don’t require health insurance, or you want to learn about affordable options to learn more about anger, there are many ways to learn management skills for your emotions. For example, you can likely find free anger management classes locally or through online support groups by searching “free anger management classes.” You can also try anger management counseling online, which tends to be an affordable option compared to in-person counseling. The point is that you're not alone, and help is available.

Getty/AnnaStills
Interested in learning effective anger management techniques?

Free online anger management classes

One productive way of dealing with your emotions or finding a new way to cope with a difficult time in life may include taking advantage of a free introductory class online. There are many anger management classes available, such as a group anger management course or an online anger management course.

The goal of these anger management workshops is to give you the tools to control anger as it arises, allowing you to improve your mental health and maintain healthy relationships with your friends, family, and coworkers. 

Although several anger management courses may not typically be covered by health insurance, some are available completely free of charge, or at a low cost. A few of the most popular free or low-cost online courses include:

The Exchange Club Chapters

Certain Exchange Club Chapters courses offer free classes on anger management. These classes are typically provided by local chapters to provide participants with helpful advice for controlling their anger.

New Hope for Anger and Domestic Violence

The New Hope for Anger and Domestic Violence program is another of the helpful courses online that can help you deal with difficult emotions, including anger management. Their free anger management course is designed to help individuals understand their own feelings and emotions better and learn how to handle difficult conversations.

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

Oxford Home Study Center

The Oxford Home Study Center offers free online anger management classes. The course is designed to help individuals learn more about how their own emotions and behavior can affect those around them.

The American Psychological Association (APA)

The American Psychological Association (APA) has an online brochure that provides helpful information about anger management. It includes tips for recognizing and managing your emotions, as well as strategies for improving communication with yourself and others. The brochure may be a convenient first step for those interested in anger management courses.

Several free online courses offer a completion certificate for successfully finishing the course; receiving a certificate of completion can be a source of pride and celebration of your progress. While a certificate is a nice benefit of completing these classes, the biggest benefits of anger management courses are the irritability management skills, conflict resolution, and effective anger management techniques you can develop. After investing in online training, many people have learned to skillfully manage their anger, and you can, too.

Types of anger management courses

There are many anger management classes available online, but these free courses may not all meet your specific needs. For example, some online anger management classes may provide study materials at no cost, but if you need to complete court-ordered anger management or anger management training that an employer requires, these materials alone may not work. 

Variations you may encounter for anger management classes

  • An online anger management class may provide free sessions or timed entry, which could include taking an assessment and exploring the personal challenges behind your anger.
  • In some cases, you might have an anger management class at no cost, but you might need to pay for a certificate of completion.
  • You may be able to watch instructional anger videos for free without signing up, but if the site offers full anger management classes, you may need to register and/or pay for that additional content.
  • Some online courses give you the ability to learn materials at your own pace upon registration. There may or may not be an additional cost, and availability may vary.
  • Money-back guarantees may apply if a course requires a fee.

Stress no more: Anger management classes on a budget

When you're looking for a no-cost anger management or conflict resolution course, you might start by looking online. For every option you find, consider doing a little due diligence to make sure the provider has an extensive history and experience providing anger management support. 

Many reputable organizations provide online wellness training and mental health services featuring self-control techniques, as well as anger management classes. For example, there are online courses for service members, veterans and serving military groups. Other organizations with mental health interests may also offer free tools through their website. Others may provide online anger management counseling. While it can be hard to have insurance pay for anger management training, it’s worth looking into possible options through your provider. Your insurance company may pay for sessions with an anger management therapist. Finally, in addition to your online options, there might be no-cost options available locally through community agencies.

In addition to searching online for “free anger management classes near me,” you might consider looking into some of the following organizations and venues for anger management classes or groups:

Free anger management classes near me? Consider local mental health organizations

There are nationally recognized mental health organizations with local chapters that offer no-cost support. Often these chapters facilitate anger management workshops or provide assistance to help you better control anger. These organizations can provide help for people who voluntarily seek anger management classes or for those who must complete court-ordered classes.

Local events

Many cities have calendars featuring upcoming events of all kinds, and you may also find that local organizations like hospitals, health clinics, and local nonprofits announce dates for upcoming events that might be relevant to your search for anger management classes. Similarly, you might want to look at social media to find local groups that meet regularly to provide support. 

Local universities and colleges for in-person or online anger management class

Students who are training in the mental health field at local universities may provide counseling and mental health services for free or at a low cost. Their local training center may offer a specific list of the services they offer. Additionally, these centers may provide information on how to find free online anger management classes or in-person classes.

Local community centers and nonprofits

Many of these organizations have websites with information about managing emotions, including anger management. If you're not able to pay, some will be able to work with you, but a small fee may apply if you need certification for legal purposes. (This category may also include your local health department.) Also, you might consider trying Emotions Anonymous, which allows individuals to come together to discuss their challenges with anger and other emotions. 

Getty/AnnaStills

Assessments for anger management and control of emotions

When you're researching anger management classes or working through an online course, you may end up completing an online assessment or anger test. Many credible sources provide these assessments to help you view your emotions from another perspective. The purpose of anger management class assessments is to assess your risk and give you insight into your behavior. Specifically, you may learn how you tend to manage anger and whether you need to do any work on anger management.

Online anger management assessments

In general, online assessments may help you become more comfortable exploring your emotions. You might be asked questions about criticizing yourself or assessing things that make you unhappy. Other questions might be about revenge, the feeling of being misunderstood, relationship issues, and how you handle arguments.

Remember, anger is a common emotion that everyone experiences. The questions in an online anger management class are designed to help you explore the way you manage anger. When you get your results, you may better understand your style of anger and how it impacts your environment and emotions. Anger management assessments may also highlight areas of concern so that you can choose healthier actions.

Anger management online tools and techniques 

While you're online, you may find free tools like anger worksheets. Whether or not you are currently taking an anger management class, these resources may help you learn about angry outbursts and ways to cope productively. They can also be useful for understanding your feelings, and some are even used in class or coaching settings.

Topics usually covered in worksheets 

  • How to identify triggers
  • Causes behind your anger
  • Anger management strategies and techniques
  • How to express anger in a constructive manner
  • Coping with anger in hypothetical situations
  • Time-out and reflection exercises
  • How your anger affects your well-being

Using worksheets effectively

If you want to use these worksheets effectively, you might try to be honest about your emotions and how they affect you and your relationships. You might even need to use some regularly to track your feelings for comparison over time and to note progress. Also, you can keep your sheets and review them to see which methods help you the most. 

When used with other effective techniques like exercise or meditation for anger, these worksheets may improve your results. That said, these useful tools may not be a replacement for seeking expert assistance from a course or a trained professional. Instead, you might think of them as a way to augment your work with a mental health specialist.

Stress-free online support

You can also find useful online anger management training through an organization like the Anger Management Training Institute. The Anger Management Training Institute offers self-paced anger management courses that can help you understand and manage problematic anger. They also allow you to immediately download an anger management class certificate of completion once you’ve finished the program, which may fulfill employer and/or court requirements in many cases.

Getty/Vadym Pastukh
Interested in learning effective anger management techniques?

Online therapy

In addition to local agencies and online groups, there are affordable alternatives online, including various types of therapy. Online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as in-person therapy for a diverse array of mental health conditions. Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in helping with anger management. With BetterHelp, you can choose from more than 30,000 licensed mental health professionals to find someone who helps people with anger management. 

"Sonya doesn't use typical 'therapy talking points.' She accommodates my schedule, allows for extra sessions, and helped me break free from the lie that therapy is addictive. Therapy is like taking Tylenol—it's based on need. Sonya prays with me in every session, making a huge difference. Her grace, grit, and Christian virtue have transformed my healing journey."e
— BetterHelp member’s review of their therapist

Takeaway

If you want help learning ways to manage emotions like anger, it's possible to find no-cost classes and other resources both online and in your community. You might consider taking a free anger management course or speaking with a local organization. You can also try online therapy with BetterHelp, where you can be matched with a therapist who has experience teaching anger management and helping people express anger in a constructive way. Take the first step toward controlling your anger, and contact BetterHelp today.

Learn to separate anger from behavior
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet started