teen-counselling.jpg

March 31, 2023by Shari Markovich

Raising teens can be hard, especially when it comes to dealing with anger. It’s normal for teens to feel frustrated or even angry from time-to time—but when these outbursts start leading to fights or harming themselves and others, clearly something needs to change! Thankfully, there are ways that parents can tackle anger management in teens in an effective and healthy manner. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to control anger in teens in order to help them live a happier life.

What Are Some of the Main Causes of Anger in Teens?

Teenagers can face a wide range of emotions as they transition into adulthood, including feeling overwhelmed with anger.
There are multiple factors that may contribute to teen anger, such as stress from school or disillusionment with parents’ expectations. Oftentimes, teens have difficulty regulating their emotions and they may become quickly frustrated or angry with themselves or others in response to setbacks.
Frequently occurring psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety can play a significant role in teen anger, as well. In some cases, teens may also be responding subconsciously to unresolved childhood trauma or abuse. If you suspect this is the case for your teenager, getting some professional help from teen counselling services in Burlington might be a good idea.

How Can Parents Handle Anger Issues in Teens?

So, how can you handle your angry teen? It’s important for adults to create an environment in which teens feel comfortable expressing their feelings and emotions without fear of judgment in order to prevent explosive outbursts of pent-up anger. Here are some helpful tips:

Don’t Ignore the Problem

The first step that parents can take when dealing with anger management in teens is to not ignore the problem. It’s important to address the issue head-on and to talk to your teen about what they’re feeling and why they’re feeling it. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse and could lead to your teen acting out in ways that are harmful to themselves or others.

Model Positive Behaviour Yourself

One of the best ways for parents to control anger in teens is to be a good role model. If parents are able to handle their own anger in a healthy and constructive way, it will set a good example for their teen. Additionally, parents should avoid using anger as a way to control or manipulate their teen.

Listen Without Interrupting or Judging

It is also important that parents try to listen to their teen when they are angry. This can be a difficult task, as teens often don’t want to talk about what is making them angry. However, if you can get your teen to open up and communicate with you, it will be much easier to help them resolve their anger issues.

Try to Understand Their Perspective

It can be helpful to put yourself in their shoes and to try to see things from their point of view. This doesn’t mean that you have to agree with everything your teen is feeling, but it can help you to better understand where they’re coming from.

Communicate Openly and Honestly

Another way for parents to handle angry teens is to communicate openly and honestly with them. This means being willing to listen to what they have to say, even if it’s something that makes you angry. Ask them directly how they’re doing and what they’re thinking.

Help Them Identify Their Triggers

One way that parents can control anger in teens is by helping them to identify their triggers. What are the things that tend to set them off? Once they know what their triggers are, they can then start to work on avoiding or managing them in a more constructive way.

Teach Them Healthy Coping Mechanisms

It’s also important for parents to teach their teens healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with their anger. This might include things like deep breathing exercises, walking away from the situation, or writing down their thoughts and feelings in a journal.

Seek Professional Help If Necessary

If your teen’s anger issues are severe or if you feel like you’re not able to handle the situation on your own, it’s important to seek professional help. There are many teen therapists in the Burlington or Hamilton area who specialize in anger management in teens. Getting professional help for your teen can make a big difference in their overall well-being.

Contact Family Matters Centre for Teen Counselling in Burlington

If you’re looking for how to control anger in teens, contact Family Matters Centre in Burlington. From frustration and overthinking to dealing with parental expectations to facing peer pressure, our well-trained therapists for teens in Burlington can help your child get through the challenges that life throws their way.
We offer a safe space where all feelings can be discussed without judgement, so that no matter what’s going on in your child’s life right now, our parenting therapists in Burlington are always willing to listen.
If you’re looking for teen counselling services in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville area, call us today at (905) 466-8023 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.


anger-management-in-child.jpg

November 10, 2022by Shari Markovich

Anger is a natural emotion that we all feel from time to time. It can be helpful in some situations, but it can also lead to problems if it’s not dealt with in a healthy way. If your child has trouble managing anger, it can be difficult for both of you. You may not know how to help them, and they may feel like they are out of control. That’s why it’s important to get help from a reputable anger management therapist who can teach your kids how to cope with anger in a healthy way.

Below are some tips to help your child manage their anger.

Explain the Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Anger

It’s normal for kids to feel angry sometimes. However, it’s important to help kids understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy anger. Healthy anger is an emotion that can be expressed in appropriate ways, like through talking or writing. Unhealthy anger is an emotion
that’s expressed in harmful ways, like through hitting or yelling.

When kids understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy anger, they’re more likely to be able to express their feelings in appropriate ways.

Help Them Understand What Triggers Their Anger

Helping your child to understand what triggers their anger is an important step in anger management. Once they are aware of what sets off their anger, they can begin to avoid or remove themselves from those situations.

For example, if your child gets angry when they are hungry, you can help them by teaching them to eat regular meals and snacks throughout the day. If they get angry when they are tired, you can help them by establishing a regular bedtime routine.

Teach Them How to Calm Down when They’re Angry

Teaching your child how to calm down when they’re angry can involve showing them some deep breathing exercises or helping them find a creative outlet for their frustration, like writing or painting.

It’s also important to model healthy anger management yourself and avoid yelling or getting physical with your child when you’re angry. By teaching them how to calmly deal with their emotions, you can help your child better manage their anger and build healthier relationships
with others.

Encourage Them to Express Their Feelings in a Healthy Way

As parents, you can help your child identify their emotions and talk about how they are feeling. This can be done by giving them plenty of opportunities to express themselves, such as through play or art. You can also help them to label their emotions, so that they can better understand what they’re feeling.

By teaching your child how to manage their anger in a healthy way, you can help them avoid negative coping mechanisms, such as hitting, yelling, or using drugs or alcohol.

Praise Them for Any Progress They Make in Managing Their Anger

Children are notoriously sensitive to criticism, and this is especially true when it comes to managing their emotions. When your child does something that shows that they are trying to manage their anger, it is important to praise them for their progress. This will help them feel
encouraged and motivated to keep working on managing their anger.

Try to be specific in your praise and avoid phrases like “good job” or “way to go.” Instead, point out exactly what you saw them do that you were impressed with.

Get Help If Needed

If you’re struggling to help your child effectively manage their anger, it may be time to seek outside assistance. Anger management therapists near Oakville can provide guidance and support that can be essential in teaching your child how to navigate their intense emotions.

In addition to professional help, there are many resources available to parents who are looking for ways to assist their children with anger management. Books, websites, and articles can offer valuable insights and strategies.

Visit Family Matters Centre for Anger Management Therapy for Kids

Family Matters Centre can help your child with their anger management by helping them find healthy ways of dealing with their emotions. Our anger management therapists near Oakville specialize in anxiety, anger, self-esteem, social skills, trauma, ADHD, and chronic illness. We also offer group therapy sessions for children and teenagers. With the right help, you can give your child the tools they need to manage their anger in a healthy and productive way. If you’re looking for a child therapist in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville area, call us today at (905) 466-8023 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.