A is For Anger

Bill and Samantha unpack the stigma around anger and the broader emotional experience for people with low vision or blindness. Samantha shares her unconventional entry into vision-loss counseling through the Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind, emphasizes that clients with low vision are “just people,” and highlights grief as a common—but not universal—theme. Together they challenge prejudices (sighted vs. blind therapists), explore the “anger umbrella” of nuanced emotions, and offer concrete techniques for naming, expressing, and managing feelings—especially when visual cues are absent. The conversation closes with practical strategies: emotional granularity (using an “emotion wheel”), clear verbal check‑ins (“What’s happening in the room?”), and personalized coping routines (naming the feeling, walking away, sensory resets).

Key Themes:
Grief and loss in vision change
Bias toward/against blind or sighted therapists
Anger as an umbrella emotion vs. specific labels
Gender and family conditioning around emotion
Teaching children emotional language early
Safety and expressing anger without visual feedback
Coping strategies: name it, take space, regulate
Emotional granularity & the Emotion Wheel
Therapy as education: “You don’t know what you don’t know”

Actionable Tips:
Name precisely: Go beyond “angry” to “hurt,” “threatened,” “frustrated,” etc.
State & step back: “I’m angry; I need 30 minutes. I’ll come back.”
Ask for context: If you can’t see reactions, verbalize: “What’s happening in the room? How are you feeling?”
Build a coping menu: Music, walk, shower, time with guide dog—experiment and codify what works.
Use an Emotion Wheel: Improves emotional regulation and communication.

Guest Contact:
Website: https://tideschangingtherapy.com
Email: [e-mail]
Instagram: @tideschangingtherapy
Aftersight Feedback / Inquiries: [e-mail]

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

2. Chapter Markers (mm:ss – one line each)
00:00 – Intro & Welcome
01:00 – Samantha’s Path: Tampa Lighthouse & Finding a Calling
02:14 – Serving Clients in Florida and Colorado
04:16 – “Same People, Different Experiences”: Grief & Vision Loss
06:43 – Bias Toward Sighted vs. Blind Therapists
08:35 – Challenging Prejudice and Affirming Capability
10:54 – Setting Up Today’s Focus: Anger
12:34 – Defining Anger & The Umbrella of Emotions
14:44 – Gender, Family Messages, and Suppressed Feelings
16:59 – Teaching Emotional Language to Children
19:27 – Expressing Anger Safely with Limited Visual Cues
21:52 – Coping Strategies: Naming, Walking Away, Reset
24:14 – Anger ≠ Aggression: Normalizing the Feeling
26:13 – Navigating Others’ Reactions Without Sight
28:43 – Communication: “What’s Going On in the Room?”
29:52 – Therapy, Learning, and Transforming Patterns
32:01 – Emotional Granularity & The Emotion Wheel
34:25 – From Core Emotions to Nuanced Expression
36:49 – Reframing Emotions: We Feel Before We Think
39:16 – Practical Tips & Verbal Validation
41:43 – Guest Contact Info, Wrap‑Up & Closing