Individuals whose explosive anger destroys relationships and leads to domestic violence – and the practitioners who work with these challenging cases – can need more than generic anger management techniques to create genuine behavioural change and prevent further harm. Ronald Potter-Efron has spent over 30 years specialising in the most severe presentations of anger and aggression, becoming one of the world’s leading authorities on domestic violence offender treatment and developing neuroplasticity-based approaches that actually change the angry brain.
As Distinguished Diplomate of the National Anger Management Association (NAMA) and Director of their Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Certification Program, Potter-Efron represents the pinnacle of expertise in treating violent and aggressive behaviour. His over 20 published books – including the acclaimed Healing the Angry Brain (New Harbinger) and Handbook of Anger Management and Domestic Violence Offender Treatment (Routledge, cited by 82+ publications) – have become essential resources for practitioners worldwide. His 25 years as Director of Anger Management and Domestic Violence Services at First Things First Counseling, combined with his international training across the United States, Canada, Panama, Denmark, Italy, Russia, and Hong Kong, demonstrates his exceptional ability to work with the most challenging anger presentations.
Potter-Efron’s expertise spans anger management, domestic violence offender treatment, neuroplastic brain change, addiction counseling, shame and guilt therapy, and what he calls “healing the angry brain” through understanding neurological patterns that drive aggressive behaviour. His approach recognises that domestic violence and explosive anger aren’t just behavioral problems – they reflect underlying brain patterns that can be changed through targeted interventions. He specialises in working with court-mandated clients, individuals with histories of violence, cases where traditional anger management has failed, and helping practitioners develop the specialised skills needed to work safely and effectively with aggressive populations.
What sets his training apart is scientific understanding combined with real-world safety expertise. Potter-Efron doesn’t just teach anger management techniques – he shows practitioners how to understand the neurological basis of rage, how to assess for violence risk, and how to facilitate actual brain change in clients with histories of aggression. His integration of neuroscience research with practical group facilitation skills reflects decades of working with the most challenging cases in the field.
For your practice, expect to gain specific protocols for domestic violence offender treatment, tools for assessing and managing violence risk, and frameworks for facilitating neuroplastic change in aggressive clients. His approach particularly benefits practitioners working with court-mandated clients, those treating domestic violence cases, or clinicians wanting to develop expertise in the most challenging anger and aggression presentations.
Quick Win: Potter-Efron’s “angry brain mapping” technique helps clients understand how their neurological patterns drive aggressive responses – and can lead to creating the first genuine motivation for change by showing them they can literally rewire their brains for better control.
Qualifications
- Ph.D., Sociology, Purdue University, 1971
- M.S.W., Social Work, University of Michigan, 1980
- B.A., Sociology, Macalester College, 1966
- LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker)
- CADCIII (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor III)
- Distinguished Diplomate, National Anger Management Association (NAMA)
- CAMS-V (Certified Anger Management Specialist-V)
- CDVS-V (Certified Domestic Violence Specialist-V)
Authored Books (Over 20 total publications)
- Handbook of Anger Management and Domestic Violence Offender Treatment (2012, cited by 82+ publications)
- Healing the Angry Brain: How Understanding the Way Your Brain Works Can Help You Control Anger and Aggression (2012)
- Rage: A Step-by-Step Guide to Overcoming Explosive Anger
- Angry All the Time: An Emergency Guide to Anger Control (2005)
- Letting Go of Anger: The Eleven Most Common Anger Styles and What to Do About Them (co-author with Patricia Potter-Efron)
- Letting Go of Shame: Understanding How Shame Affects Your Life (co-author with Patricia Potter-Efron)
- Lewy Body Dialogue: A Couple’s Conversations (2020, co-author with Patricia Potter-Efron, dementia care journal)
Leadership & Specialisation
- Semi-retired Clinical Psychotherapist, Private Practice, Eleva, WI
- Director, Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Certification Program, National Anger Management Association (NAMA), 2015–present
- Group Facilitator, Domestic Violence Offender Groups
- Former Director, Anger Management and Domestic Violence Services, First Things First Counseling and Consulting, Altoona, WI, 1990–2015 (25 years)
Academic & Teaching Experience
- University Professor, Experimental college (Thomas Jefferson College), Grand Rapids, MI (8 years)
- Faculty, Gestalt therapy training (multiple years)
- Clinical Psychotherapist, First Things First Counseling (20+ years)
- International training workshops: United States, Canada, Panama, Denmark, Italy, Russia, Hong Kong
- Psychotherapy Networker contributor and featured expert
Clinical Specialties
- Domestic violence offender treatment and certification
- Neuroplastic brain change approaches to anger management
- Court-mandated anger management and violence prevention
- Shame and guilt therapy integration
- Addiction counseling with anger and violence components
- Gestalt therapy applications to anger work
- Couples therapy with domestic violence histories
Ready to develop expertise in treating the most challenging anger and domestic violence cases? Discover how Dr. Potter-Efron’s neuroplasticity-based methods can give you the specialised skills needed to facilitate genuine brain change in clients with histories of violence and aggression while maintaining safety and effectiveness.