Calm Tree Therapy

03/27/2026

Anger at Work & Health

Unmanaged anger shows up at work as:
- Short fuse and irritability
- Conflict with coworkers
- Negative focus

Chronic anger also impacts health:
- High blood pressure
- Poor sleep
- Increased inflammation or muscle soreness

Anger isn’t just emotional—it’s physical.
If anger is showing up everywhere, it’s time to take it seriously.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

03/24/2026

Anger Can Burn Up the People You Love

Have you ever been around someone who’s constantly bristling with anger?

It puts you on edge. It feels unsafe.

For many men, the people they promise to protect and provide for are the same ones being scared by unmanaged anger.

If that’s happening it means something needs attention.

Protect your loved ones by learning to handle anger better.

Colin Priest, Therapist & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn

Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

03/20/2026

Healthy Expressions of Anger

Healthy anger is:
- Corrective, not destructive
- Focused on a problem rather than a person
- Direct and clear, not passive-aggressive
- Assertive, but not domineering
- Grounded and measured, not explosive

Examples:
- Saying “This is not okay” to inappropriate behavior
- Channeling anger into action or boundaries

Anger can clarify values when it’s expressed well and lead to productive changes

Practice expressing anger without attacking or withdrawing.

If anger is destructive rather than corrective, it may be a problem that needs to be addressed.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn

Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

03/17/2026

When Anger Becomes a Problem

Anger may need attention when:
- It feels constant or unpredictable
- Small things trigger big reactions
- You replay arguments over and over
- Loved ones seem tense around you
- You regret things you say or do

If anger is your primary or go-to response, there may be something underlying that.

If anger is costing you relationships or peace, it’s worth addressing.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn

Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

03/13/2026

Quick Tips for Managing Anger

A few practical tools:
- Slow your breathing before responding
- Move your body— exercising or walking helps release anger in the body
- Address issues early, not after they pile up

Anger management isn’t suppressing the emotion — it’s self regulation and learning to address the internal and external factors that are impacting anger

Try one tool this week and notice the difference.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn

Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

03/10/2026

Is Anger a Secondary Emotion? Sometimes.

Anger isn’t always a secondary emotion.

Sometimes it’s primary—especially when:
- Boundaries are crossed
- Injustice occurs
- Protection is needed

Other times, anger covers:
- Fear
- Shame
- Hurt
- Grief or sadness
- Helplessness

The key question isn’t “Is anger wrong?”
It’s “What is this anger responding to?”

Get curious instead of critical about your anger.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn

Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

03/06/2026

Anger vs Stress vs Burnout

These often get confused—but they’re different.

Stress: Tension, irritability, feeling “on edge”

Anger: A response to perceived injustice, threat, or boundary violations

Burnout: Emotional numbness, detachment, loss of motivation

Many men feel angry when they’re actually burned out.

Knowing the difference matters—because each needs a different solution.

Ask yourself: Am I angry—or am I exhausted, or overextended?

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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03/03/2026

Anger Isn’t Bad—But It Has a Place

Men are often taught that anger is “bad” or something to suppress.

That’s not true.

Anger is a protective emotion. It signals that something matters, a boundary was crossed, or something feels unfair.

But if anger is constant or explosive, it’s often covering:
- Chronic stress
- Burnout
- Exhaustion
- Unmet needs

Anger is helpful in the right place. Constant anger is a sign something needs to change, either in you or your life.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn

Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

02/27/2026

Positive vs Negative Sentiment Override in Relationships

Positive Sentiment Override (PSO):
You give your partner the benefit of the doubt—even during conflict.
Generally you think fondly of them and respect or admire them.

Negative Sentiment Override (NSO):
Neutral or even positive actions feel irritating, dismissive, or unsafe.

NSO isn’t failure—it’s often a sign support is needed.

If resentment feels louder than love, couples therapy can help reset the tone.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/24/2026

Intimate Conversation Matters in a Relationship

Quality conversation is important—but stress and busy schedules often crowd it out.

I have an article with 100 Date Night Conversation Starters to help couples reconnect without pressure

(Here’s the link: https://calmtreetherapy.com/date-night-conversation-starters-100-open-ended-questions-to-deepen-connection/ ).

It’s our gift to you.

Save this post and try a few questions on your next date night at home.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/20/2026

Gottman's Bids to Connect

A bid is any small attempt to connect:
A comment. A touch. A question. A look.

When bids are accepted, friendship grows and romance stays alive because couples feel emotionally connected to one another.

When bids are ignored or rejected, resentment builds.

Happy couples respond to about 4 out of 5 bids.
Notice your partner’s bids today—and choose to respond.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/17/2026

Compromise Isn’t 50/50 in a relationship

Healthy couples don’t mean agreeing on everything.

They ask better questions: “How do I meet your core need here?”

Compromise only works when both partners keep doing it over time.

That ongoing effort is what keeps the relationship alive

Next disagreement—pause and look for the need underneath the position.

Colin Priest, Therapist & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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