Assertiveness Training

Definition

Assertiveness training (AT) is a behavioral intervention, often part of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), stress management, or anger management. In AT, people learn to express themselves in social contexts, despite having barriers. These include learning to express socially “unaccepted” emotions such as anger, disliking others’ behavior, and requests for someone to change their behavior. In a typical assertive statement, there are often identifying a problem in another person’s behavior, a request to change, and, if needed, a statement of the consequences if one’s request is not met. Such a statement can also include one’s attitude or experienced emotions due to the other person’s behavior. Yet, all these need to be done while respecting the other person.

AT is often taught in a group format and is usually done in a gradual manner. People first learn to state simple requests such as “I cannot see, can you please move a bit?” until they are able to state difficult statements...