While anger management courses are not typically very expensive, finding truly free courses can be a challenge. There are a few free courses available online, and you may also be able to locate no-cost options in your community. Whether you're looking for training for yourself or for a friend or family member, that there are at least a few helpful options that you can try without having to spend any money.
No-Cost Online Classes
While most online anger management classes are fee-based, there are some free options available. Please note that these are not live online courses. Instead, they utilize pre-recorded materials that you will complete independently. Some of the free classes are introductory sessions designed to interest you in taking full, fee-based courses. Less commonly, you may find a full class available at no cost, but they don't all satisfy requirements for mandatory training on this topic. Those that do typically require a fee if you need a certificate of completion to to satisfy a court or employer requirement.
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NuHopeCare offers a full eight-hour session online for free. One of the things that makes this class unique is that you will also have an opportunity to take a free assessment before beginning the course. This tool will provide some insight regarding what your individual challenges related to managing anger might be. While there is no cost for the training, you will need to pay a fee of just under $40 if you need a certificate of completion. You must register with the site in order to access the training materials.
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Dr. John Schinnerer provides the first part of a multi-week online course for free via his blog. You don't have to register to take the free portion of the class; instead, you will just need to scroll down the page to view the instructional video. You can also view some of Dr. Schinner's training videos via YouTube at no cost. Please note that a certificate of completion is not available for viewing the free video courses. If you want to take his full course, you will need to register and pay for the full-ten week version if you want to continue. The full course costs around $100.
- Open Path is an online wellness education company that offers a free promotional class to introduce their full course. You don't have to register with the site to review the promotional content, which is text-based. If you decide you want to take the full course, the fee is very affordable (less than $5). However, if you need a certificate of completion, there is a fee associated with that. The certificate cost varies based on the number of hours of training you complete, and ranges from just under $20 to just under $100.
- The Veteran's Administration offers a free Anger and Irritability Management Skills (AIMS) course online at no cost. Simply click the 'start the cost' button to begin the computer-based training model. Note that this course has a military focus, as it is based on training that has been developed for and used with service members and veterans. It includes content focused on helping participants acquire self-control regarding their actions and thoughts to manage anger effectively. Registration is not required, so a certificate of completion is not available.
- The American Psychological Association (APA) has what they call an online brochure related to controlling anger that you can review on their website for free. While it is not officially a class, it provides great information on what anger is, strategies for managing anger effectively and tips for determining if you might need counseling related to this area. If you are looking for basic instruction on this topic, this is a good option to consider. However, if you are looking for video-based instruction or need a certificate of completion, one of the other options would be better for you.
Ideas for Finding Local Classes
There may be no-cost courses in your local area, but you might need to do some digging in order to locate them. A few suggestions on where to start your research include:
State Child Welfare Agencies
Each state has an agency tasked with maintaining the best interests of its youngest residents. The child welfare agency in your state may offer anger management workshops near where you live, or be aware of other organizations that make this type of training available at no cost. You can find the website for your state's agency listed on ChildWelfare.gov, which is the Child Welfare Information Gateway resource site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NAMI Chapters
Local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapters in communities throughout the U.S. Chapters often provide a variety of community-based mental health services at no cost, including support groups, classes and other services. Find the chapter in your area to see if the group provides free anger management classes. Even if your local NAMI chapter doesn't offer this specific course, the organization's Board of Directors may be able to suggest other resources.
Exchange Club Chapters
Local Exchange Club chapters are another possible resource for locating anger management courses in your community. As with NAMI, chapter activities and offerings vary, but all of the activities concentrate on the organization's three focus areas of family, community and country. For example, The Exchange Club chapter in Mobile, Alabama operates the Family Center, which provides a wide variety of free courses beneficial to parents, including anger management.
Eventbrite Listings
Local organizations that offer no-cost, in-person anger management classes often promote them through the Eventbrite online event management website. For example, Families on the Move (FOTM) of New York City promotes these kinds of classes through EventBrite, as does Champion Parenting in Dallas, Texas. Visit the site regularly to search for free classes on this topic that might be coming up in your area, or within a reasonable driving distance.
Finding Training Resources
The resources listed here can provide a starting point for looking for free anger management training. Even if you can't find no-cost in-person local training options, the two full online courses listed here are a good starting point.
Getting help for anger control issues is something that should never be taken lightly, and a free course may not be sufficient to deal with the challenges that you and/or your loved ones are facing. Be sure to seek help from a licensed professional who can recommend the best course of action in your specific situation.
