2012

"I was very impressed by the session today - the facilitator's knowledge was excellent and the programme tailored to suit our specific needs."

"thanks for the practical advice - simple enough to remember and therefore actually useful! " 

"gained a lot of understand and useful strategies that I will use to help myself and others."

January ( participants on teachers' study day)

2011

 " I feel the course has affected me in the following ways: I am much more able now to stop and think about what may be making me feel angry or sad. I am far more able to identify passive behaviour in others that would have previously been a major trigger in making me angry. I am also more able to recognise my own passive aggressive behaviours. I feel more able to express my emotions clearly and at the right time. I allow myself to feel sad sometimes as it enables me to let go of anger and think about me and what I need." 

(Six weeks after a course)

"I was helped most by listening to other delegates, Paula's delivery and Paula's facilitation. I have learned an immense amount."

OM - October

"I really enjoyed the course, feel I already am getting some benefit" (written in last hour of the course).

SM - October

"The course helped me complete my decades- long journey for putting to rest old demons. I acually achieved a real transformation! Thank you Paula!"

ES - September

"Thank you so much for a great  (one day) course yesterday.  It was really interesting and enjoyable and I came away feeling happy, peaceful and empowered knowing I've received all those pointers and that workbook!  And I did read it on the bus home.  I shall be reading it a few more times, too!  I felt really happy on the bus home, and was even smiling to myself at some of the things the other passengers were saying and doing!"

JL - September

"One of the most empowering three days I have ever had.  I now have a toolkit to accept, recognise and express my anger in a healthy way.  I know this will improve my life.  Thank you."

IM - September

"Thank you for asking how things are...... lately I have been a lot calmer and don't loose my temper really quick as I used to. If me & my partner argue we sit down after I have had 5-10 minutes on my own and talk about things which has helped alot so that link on your website of the information where people can read has really helped me."

AB - August

"Paula we're getting on fabulously.  My husband asks to check in virtually on a daily basis, which is a Godsend.  I know he wont mind me saying, the course has enabled him to understand himself, others and he's much more aware of projection and when not to take on other peoples 'shit'!  It's wonderful to have a new relationship on a different level with him and together we're happier and more relaxed."

Deb, Birmingham (her and husband attended separate courses)

 ""I attended Paula's anger management course as I was keen to explore more about the subject, as well as ensure that I am handling my own challenges in the best possible way.  Paula is an excellent facilitator who knows her subject very well. She has a relaxed and personable delivery style which helped everyone open up and face things which they may not wanted to have faced, but which they certainly needed to face.  I would recommend her course not only to "angry" people, but to anyone who wants to explore more about themselves and anyone who wants to ensure that they live their life with the very best positive attitude." 

- Andrew, Birmingham

 "I went on the Intensive weekend with Paula and it was excellent.  Paula was very good, perceptive, unbiased and understanding which made for an all round relaxing weekend.  The course content was excellent, very informative and enabled me to think about lots of things I may not/have not have done before.  The various techniques were excellent too.  I must say the personal development and growth from the course for me has been liberating.  The other guys on the course were great too and the level of honesty was just so refreshing and everyone was so friendly.  I'm glad I went on the course for all sorts of reasons, not least because I can impart my knowledge onto my children.  Thank you for enabling a course like this to be available for everybody."

"I just wanted to say thankyou for presenting such a stimulating and informative course with passion and conviction. I felt that l could definitely use alot of what we learnt to deal with many of life's issues and come out the other end smiling, and hopefully with my wife at my side smiling also."

- BB, April 2011

 "Beating Anger 3 day course - Everyone should go on this course - This for me was the best experience that I could have had.  I realise that a hectic and busy family and work life can lead to extreme pressure, stress and anger. The BAAM course has not removed any of those stress points but it has given me the tools to deal with those situations as they arise in a mature and practical manner.  No more angry outbursts, guilt or stress - Thanks to Paula and BAAM."

- Gareth Robinson, Company Director, March 2011

"Since attending the course I have been incredibly calm. When I start to feel even remotely stressed I fnd myself recognising the signs and then stepping out of myself, looking at the situation and being pragmatic, and then not feeling stressed anymore. The adage about "I make myself happy" is one I have found particularly powerful. On the surface this statement can come across as a little selfish - but I have, for too long, looked to others to make me feel good about myself which is just stupid. The course made me realise that I have to start filling up my own emotional tank and not look to others to do it for me. Such a simple picture - but one that I am recognising more and more as a symptom of my previous unhappiness, frustration, and ultimately anger.

 I've discussed at length the things I learned on the course with my wife and kids.  So far the anger diary has remained untouched - but writing this email has made me realise that it is just as important to remember and record the good times as record the dark periods. That way I'll be able to recognise the possible trends in my behaviour and what improvements I'm making.  The weekend was very well worth the time, effort, and expense. I realised how group therapy is an excellent mechanism to resolve your personal problems. That was worth the entry fee in itself!"

- Steve, January 2011

"Things are going well............I got through the Christmas break without getting really angry, the only time I felt angry I was able to step away and calm down. So the holiday went well. I have used the "speech" a few times but I think that now with my son I get the blank stare of "here he goes again..." but I do think that with time he will start to realise that it is a discussion tool and that once I have had my say he may then want to discuss his feelings. I feel a lot more positive about myself, more self respect."  

(Jan 2011 after Dec 2010 one day Parents course)

Recent course participants wrote: 

• "There is nothing I can think of to improve this course.  Everything was so good.  This has been a life saver for me.  From the initial thought of needing to do the course, to the interaction with the facilitators, to getting here.  The content of the course has been inspirational.  I feel I have skills now that I will use to help me live a happier life.  I no longer feel I am a defective person because of all the rage I’ve kept inside.  I only regret I didn’t learn this stuff when younger – it really should be taught at schools.  Thank you."
• "The quality of the course was a function of both the attendees and the lecturer.  Our course was superb in every respect.  I was moved by the honesty shown by all."
• "The course has helped me to understand other people’s and my own emotions.  I particularly wish I’d learned about feelings in this way earlier in my life."
• "Paula is good at what she does and makes you feel comfortable."
• "Thank you – I have really learned about myself, what works and what needs repair and development."
• "I learned to recognise different types of anger, stress, and where my anger came from, have this was reflected on to my wife.  I could have done with this awareness earlier in my life." 
• "This awareness should be compulsory in the educational curriculum."
• "I have achieved massive amounts on how to express my anger, and I think the facilitator was very good at helping me understand a lot about anger management."
• "I learned a lot during the course about my own self and others.  The course was well designed and well delivered."

"It was with some trepidation I picked up the phone to Paula at Beating Anger Birmingham, after all who needs to go on a course like that?....    My own situation was that I had exploded once after finding out of my wife’s adultery, which led to dire consequences, and so decided to enrol on Paula’s 3-day intensive course to see if she could offer any help or guidance.   Like most people I guess I was a bit nervous the first day, but it soon became obvious this was a ‘safe’ environment where you could be honest (and perhaps cry a little) amongst very supportive and non-judgemental people. Like everything I guess you get out of something what you put into it and after the first few hours realised there was a wealth of knowledge and help here just ready and waiting for me. 

"I learnt many things and whilst I thought this explosion of mine was out of the blue, actually it had been building a long time, I just didn’t realise it. That’s one of the great things of the course. It teaches you how to spot problems before they arrive....if only I’d done it years ago!   So my recommendation would be to explore what this course might be able to offer you, even if you do not think you have any issues. If you attend with an open mind you will have 3 fantastic days, meet some great people and have extra skills to deal with all that life has to throw at you." 

- DA, October 2010

"................I just cannot begin to express how amazed I am at the simplicity of the three day weekend program but the effectiveness. Just found the whole process really life changing: corny I know but very, very true! Definitely something I could see myself incorporating into my personal life and drama therapy in order to help others.  Sorry I have seriously rambled but what I really wanted to emphasise is that I am in awe of Julian and Paula. " 

- Monica, August 2010

"I just wanted to say thank you for the Taster Seminar.  It gave me an insight into the course and into anger management. It proved useful to me, as it helped me identify a few things in my life, that I knew I was doing but was unable to articulate.  It was lovely to meet you and you instantly put the whole group at ease with your warm, relaxed style.   I look forward to meeting you again.”

- HH, September 2010

“I recently attended a Beating Anger : Anger Management two hour taster session with Paula Backen and have to say that it was a thoroughly engaging, informative and participative experience. Paula is very good at communicating potentially complex material in a really down to earth way and using every day examples of how anger affects all of our lives. I felt genuinely empowered to recognise sources and symptoms of anger in myself and others and how to deal with that in a more healthy and productive manner. I’d highly recommend this workshop both to those who’d like to tackle anger in their own lives, as well as anyone who is interested in people dynamics and conflict resolution from a personal or professional perspective.”

- Nick, October 2010

 "I went along to Paula's taster session for Beating Anger.  I've met Paula recently and felt that I could be in a position to refer people to her, but would only do so if I was confident that it would be a good recommendation.  I found myself really getting into her session.  She has great listening skills, a tremendous reserve of patience, humour and a lifetime's worth of anecdotes.  She created an atmosphere which seemed to make everyone comfortable.  A few people didn't seem to have any trouble opening up from the start  but there was one guy who seemed particularly quiet and withdrawn and I could see by the end of the two hours, that even he was finding a way to get involved and communicate with others."

- Carole, September 2010

"The taster was excellent.  Main Points for Me:  

• Understanding I am not alone.
• Reviewing techniques for dealing with my anger - Still not sure how but I can see some light.
• Course was clear in its outline and objectives.
• Course material and delivery was clear and concise.

Next steps.  I would like to sign up for the full 3 day course."

MORE TESTIMONIALS AVAILABLE FROM 1998 - 2009 - click here