Anger, Boundaries and Safety

by Joann S Peterson

By emphasizing the distinction between anger and violence, Joann S. Peterson shows that anger is a feeling to be valued and explores ways in which we can express it in safe, responsible, non-violent ways. By doing so we can greatly enhance our health and our relationships.Based on a five-day course Dr Peterson developed and led over some 15 years in North America and Southeast Asia, and drew on more than 40 years of personal and professional experience in the field, this book contains theoretical models and practical ideas that will challenge you to transform your view of anger and the role it plays in your life.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Health, Self Help

Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sally]

Referenced in Gabor Maté's _When the Body Says No_

[Yazeed Mujahed · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book comes with many interesting discussions and points. It distinguished between Anger (which is an emotion) and Violence (which is a behaviour). Also it did touch on what might be the bases for violence. I enjoyed the discussion side

I would have liked the book without steps and guidance and just focused on discussions.

[Renate Eveline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very concise book and its importance could be easily underestimated. Paying attention to the difference between anger and aggression, seeing anger as a secondary feeling (subtitle: I matter!), recognizing what repression can look like and learning to establish (or improve) safe and non-violent ways to express anger can be a game-changer. Peterson has a very pleasant and accessible style. Examples are on topic and relevant. Recommended!

[Stark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand boundaries a bit better now but as for how to be angry or withstand it safely, I was left disappointed.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because it was referenced in When the Body Says No. In that book, I discovered that repressing your emotions, especially anger, has a very high correlation with cancer. I don’t want any more cancer, and I’m finding that I’m pretty damn scared of my emotions. Especially anger.

I was hoping this book would give me a clear understanding of how to stop being afraid of anger and how to express it safely. I was hoping to become able to do that with confidence that it wouldn’t hurt anybody.

I think that is possible if you practice the techniques in here a lot. So far, all that happened was I read the book and felt really scared the whole time. Like an uncontrollable monster was going to be unleashed, and what if it could never be contained again?

I don’t remember too much about being angry as a kid, or since then. A lot of times, when I’m telling a story or swearing at other drivers, anger will come out in my voice, but I don’t feel anything at all. I feel like there’s a lot of work to do here, and I wish the authors offered their workshop online. I don’t see myself going all the way to Canada to take it, but I don’t feel like the book was really enough.

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts by defining anger and shows you what it is and is not. Overall, it was not a bad book a bit slow in places.