Awareness and Emotional Regulation Program

Program Outline

Program Duration: 8 weeks

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Delivery:  Online via Secure telehealth platform. 

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Sessions: Weekly 

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Initial: 90 minutes

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Sessions: 50 minutes

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Evidence Base:

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• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT),

• Attachment and Family Systems Theory,

• Trauma-Informed Practice, Motivational Interviewing

• The Duluth Model of Power and Control

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Program Overview

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The Awareness and Emotional Regulation Program supports participants to recognise, understand, and manage anger and emotional responses that lead to conflict, aggression, or impulsive behaviour.

This structured, trauma-informed program develops emotional awareness, regulation skills, and accountability through practical, evidence-based exercises.

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It is suitable for individuals referred through courts, community corrections, legal representatives, or workplace interventions, and is equally effective for voluntary participants seeking to manage anger and improve relationships or work performance.

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Program Objectives

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• Identify personal triggers and emotional patterns linked to anger or reactive behaviour.

• Increase awareness of physiological, cognitive, and environmental cues to escalation.

• Develop practical skills to manage emotions, control impulses, and self-soothe.

• Improve problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution abilities.

• Establish a personal anger-management and safety plan.

• Provide verified attendance and engagement evidence suitable for referrers or courts.

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Program Structure

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Phase 1 – Awareness and Insight (Weeks 1–2)

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• Identify the roots of anger and its functions (protection, fear, control, shame).

• Understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours interact.

• Recognise personal triggers, escalation warning signs, and the cost of reactive behaviour.

• Complete baseline self-assessments and readiness measures.

Phase 2 – Regulation and Self-Control (Weeks 3–5)

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• Learn and practise emotional-regulation techniques (breathing, grounding, mindfulness).

• Introduce “pause and plan” strategies to prevent escalation.

• Explore stress, frustration, and unmet needs as emotional drivers.

• Build a “Regulation Toolkit” for real-world use.

Phase 3 – Communication and Behaviour Change (Weeks 6–7)

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• Learn assertive communication and conflict-management strategies.

• Reframe negative or distorted thinking using CBT techniques.

• Practise expressing emotions safely and constructively.

• Develop empathy, accountability, and perspective-taking.

Phase 4 – Maintenance and Review (Week 8)

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• Create a personalised anger-management and relapse-prevention plan.

• Review growth, goals, and coping improvements.

• Complete final reflection and self-evaluation exercises.

• Program conclusion and next-step recommendations.

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Assessment Tools

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• K10 Psychological Distress Scale – measures general emotional wellbeing.

• DERS-16 (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale – Short Form).

• Anger and Aggression Questionnaire (AAQ) – identifies triggers and patterns.

• Readiness to Change Questionnaire.

• Weekly Self-Reflection and Behaviour Logs.

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Participant Activities

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• Trigger mapping and escalation tracking.

• “ABC” Thought-Response Logs (Activating event → Belief → Consequence → Reframe).

• Regulation practice tasks and grounding checklists.

• Role-play of high-stress or conflict scenarios.

• Weekly reflection journals and skill implementation tracking.

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Program Outcomes 

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1. Insight and Awareness

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• Demonstrates increased awareness of personal emotional triggers and high-risk situations.

• Identifies the link between thoughts, emotions, and behavioural responses.

• Articulates understanding of how anger impacts decision-making, relationships, and legal or social outcomes.

• Recognises patterns of escalation and accepts personal accountability for reactions.

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2. Emotional Regulation and Control

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• Applies learned regulation techniques (breathing, grounding, mindfulness, pause-and-plan).

• Demonstrates reduced impulsivity and increased ability to tolerate frustration or stress.

• Reports improved self-control in previously triggering situations.

• Develops a personalised Regulation and Safety Plan outlining effective coping strategies.

3. Cognitive and Behavioural Change

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• Identifies and challenges distorted or rigid thinking patterns contributing to anger or aggression.

• Reframes automatic thoughts using CBT-informed tools to support rational and goal-directed responses.

• Demonstrates increased use of positive self-talk and adaptive coping behaviours.

• Maintains behaviour logs showing progressive improvement in response management.

4. Communication and Relationship Skills

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• Demonstrates use of assertive, non-confrontational communication techniques.

• Reduces verbal hostility, sarcasm, or defensive communication.

• Shows increased empathy, perspective-taking, and respect for others’ boundaries.

• Reports improved interpersonal interactions within family, community, or workplace contexts.

5. Safety and Risk Reduction

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• Identifies high-risk situations and implements de-escalation strategies effectively.

• Reduces frequency, duration, and intensity of angry or aggressive incidents.

• Maintains compliance with behavioural expectations or court conditions throughout participation.

• Demonstrates consistent engagement with support networks or counsellors.

6. Psychological and Functional Wellbeing

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• Reports improved emotional wellbeing and reduced distress (as measured by K10 and DERS-16).

• Demonstrates increased emotional resilience and problem-solving ability.

• Establishes daily habits supporting emotional stability (e.g. sleep, exercise, healthy routines).

• Maintains progress through structured reflection and self-monitoring.

7. Accountability and Maintenance

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• Accepts full responsibility for behaviour without externalising blame.

• Completes a 90-day Maintenance and Regulation Plan identifying triggers, early warning signs, and support strategies.

• Demonstrates readiness to sustain positive behavioural changes post-program.

• Provides evidence of engagement and learning suitable for court, probation, or workplace review.

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Reporting and Outcomes

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At completion, participants receive:

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• A Certificate of Completion acknowledging engagement and attendance.

• A Clinically Reviewed Report outlining participation, insights, progress and outcomes. 

This program demonstrates proactive rehabilitation and supports consideration for bail, sentencing, or community supervision outcomes.

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With signed consent or court order, attendance verifications can be provided directly to the participant’s lawyer, Police or community corrections officer, or the court.

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