Course Description

    The Neurobiology of Anger provides clinicians with a comprehensive, research-based examination of how anger develops, escalates, and becomes dysregulated across diverse clinical presentations. Drawing on contemporary affective neuroscience, the course explains how key neural systems, including the amygdala, insula, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray, shape threat detection, physiological arousal, interoceptive awareness, and inhibitory control. The curriculum distinguishes anger from related constructs such as aggression, irritability, hostility, and fear, emphasizing the importance of precise assessment and formulation. Participants explore functional, cognitive–affective, and dimensional models of anger, along with the neurochemical, hormonal, and inflammatory processes that influence anger reactivity. Special emphasis is placed on developmental factors, attachment disruptions, trauma, sex/gender differences, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, TBI, and ASD.

    Translating neuroscience into practice, the course reviews evidence-based interventions including CBT, DBT, mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches, affect labeling, cognitive bias modification, physiological regulation strategies, and skills targeting autonomic recovery. Through this integrated framework, clinicians learn to conceptualize anger as an emotion-regulation phenomenon driven by interactions between induction and control networks, enabling more precise, targeted, and compassionate treatment planning. This course equips mental-health professionals with the scientific literacy and practical skills necessary to assess, conceptualize, and effectively intervene in anger dysregulation. This is an NBCC and Florida Board Approved course for three continuing education hours.

Please review the course materials prior to purchasing the course. Often, individuals will print a copy of the course worksheet to complete while they view the course material. Once you are ready to complete the course, please enroll in the course and complete the course requirements, including the course post-test and course survey. You will receive your certificate automatically for printing or downloading after achieving an 85% or higher on the post-test and completing the course survey. 

Neurobiology of Anger Course Text.pdf

Neurobiology of Anger Course Worksheet.pdf

Course Author:  Bryan Glazier, PhD, LMFT, LMHC,, FL Qualified MHC/MFT Supervisor 

Course Time/Location: 3 CE Hours, Location: www.directceu.com (web-based, asynchronous/home study) 

Course Text: Neurobiology of Anger

Course Board Approval Statement(s): NBCC, Florida Board Approved

Directceu, llc has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7411. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

directceu, llc (BAP # 50-17578) is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 Financial Disclosure Statement

directceu, llc is committed to providing our professional colleagues with unbiased information. directceu does not accept commercial support and our course authors have no significant financial interests or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.

Learning Objectives:

Through the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Differentiate anger from aggression, irritability, hostility, fear, and related constructs.
  2. Describe core neural circuits involved in anger, including limbic, prefrontal, and cingulate regions.
  3. Summarize functional, cognitive–affective, and dimensional models of anger.
  4. Identify neurochemical contributors to anger including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and the HPA-axis.
  5. Discuss physiological markers of anger such as autonomic arousal, HRV, and somatic cues
  6. Examine developmental, genetic, and attachment-based influences on anger dysregulation. 
  7. Describe anger manifestations across PTSD, BPD, IED, psychosis, mood disorders, and substance use conditions. 
  8. Conduct a multimodal assessment of anger using interviews, behavioral observation, and validated measures. 
  9. Develop integrated case formulations incorporating neurobiological, cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal factors. 
  10. Apply evidence-based treatment approaches such as CBT, DBT, MBCT, ACT, and affect-labeling. 
  11. Evaluate emerging interventions including cognitive bias modification, neurofeedback, and VR-based anger regulation tools.


 Course Syllabus:

I. Foundations of Anger Science

  • Epidemiology and functional impact of anger
  • Distinguishing anger, aggression, irritability, hostility, fear, and contempt
  • Overview of functional, cognitive-affective, and dimensional models of anger

II. Neurobiological Mechanisms

  • Limbic system: amygdala, insula, hippocampus
  • Prefrontal and cingulate circuits (vmPFC, dlPFC, ACC)
  • Subcortical/brainstem systems: hypothalamus, PAG, basal ganglia
  • Induction vs. control networks and connectivity patterns

III. Neurochemistry & Physiological Correlates

  • Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine systems
  • HPA-axis, cortisol, and stress reactivity
  • Inflammatory pathways and hormonal influences
  • Autonomic markers, HRV, somatic signatures

IV. Development, Attachment, and Individual Differences

  • Genetics, polygenic risk, MAOA
  • Early adversity, trauma, and attachment disruptions
  • Sex/gender differences
  • ADHD, ASD, TBI, and neurocognitive influences

V. Anger Across Clinical Conditions

  • IED and impulsive aggression
  • PTSD and trauma-related anger
  • BPD and affective lability
  • Psychosis, mood disorders, and substance-related anger

VI. Assessment and Case Formulation

  • Clinical interviews and collateral data
  • Psychometric instruments (e.g., STAXI-2, BPAQ, ARS)
  • Behavioral observation and risk assessment
  • Biopsychosocial and neurobiological formulation strategies

VII. Evidence-Based Interventions

  • CBT for anger misappraisal, reappraisal, and behavior change
  • DBT skills (distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness)
  • Mindfulness, ACT, and affect labeling
  • Autonomic-regulation: breathing, HRV biofeedback, grounding

VIII. Emerging & Experimental Approaches

  • Cognitive Bias Modification (IBM, ABM)
  • Cognitive Control Training
  • Neurofeedback and VR-based interventions
  • Digital and app-based anger-regulation programs