What is anger management therapy?

Anger management therapy helps individuals recognize the triggers behind their anger, understand the emotions underneath it, and develop healthier ways to respond, rather than react, in the moment.

How can therapy help me manage my anger?

Therapy provides tools to identify anger triggers, regulate emotional and physical responses, and communicate more effectively. It also helps you address underlying issues such as stress, trauma, or feelings of shame that may be fuelling anger.

What are common signs that I might benefit from anger management therapy?

Signs include frequent irritability or outbursts, difficulty calming down once upset, saying or doing things you later regret, strained relationships, physical tension or a racing heart when angry, or feeling that anger is "in control" rather than you.

What techniques are used in anger management therapy?

Therapists often use approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, mindfulness, nervous system regulation techniques, and communication or boundary-setting skills to support healthier anger responses.

Is anger always a bad thing?

No. Anger is a natural and important emotion that can signal when a boundary has been crossed or a need is not being met. Therapy helps you listen to what anger is trying to tell you, while expressing it in ways that are safe and constructive for you and others.

When should I seek therapy for anger management?

It may be time to seek support if anger is impacting your relationships, work, parenting, or health, or if you feel out of control, ashamed after outbursts, or unsure how to express yourself without shutting down or exploding.

How does Ocean Blue Therapy approach anger management?

At Ocean Blue Therapy, we take a compassionate, non-judgmental approach. We help you understand your anger in context—such as past experiences, cultural messages, or stressors—while building practical skills to pause, reflect, and respond differently over time.

Can therapy help with anger related to stress, anxiety, or burnout?

Yes. Anger often shows up alongside stress, anxiety, or burnout. Therapy can help you recognize these patterns, reduce overall stress, and create coping strategies so that anger doesn’t have to carry all the weight of what you are feeling.

What can I do outside of therapy to manage anger?

Outside of therapy, practices like deep breathing, grounding exercises, taking breaks before responding, movement or physical activity, journaling, and checking in with your needs and boundaries can all support healthier anger management.

Can anger management therapy improve my relationships?

Yes. As you learn to express anger more clearly and calmly, it often becomes easier to share needs, repair after conflict, and build trust. This can lead to more secure, respectful, and connected relationships at home, at work, and in your community.

Anger Management Therapy in North York, Toronto | Regain Control & Calm

Anger Management Therapy

Ocean Blue Therapy offers compassionate anger management therapy in person in Toronto and online across Ontario, helping you understand your anger, regulate emotions, and build healthier relationships.

How Can Anger Management Therapy Benefit You?

Gain Control Over Your Reactions

Using approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, anger management therapy helps you notice early signs of anger, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and create a pause between what you feel and how you respond.

Understand the Roots of Your Anger

Anger rarely shows up on its own. Through a trauma-informed and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) lens, we explore how past experiences, stress, cultural pressures, or unmet needs may be shaping how anger shows up today.

Strengthen Communication & Relationships

By integrating strength-based and solution-focused strategies, therapy supports you in asserting needs, repairing after conflict, and creating more respectful, emotionally safe relationships with yourself and others.

Meet Our Anger Management Therapists

Our therapists are experienced in working with anger, stress, and emotional regulation. We use evidence-based and culturally sensitive approaches to support you in responding to anger with more clarity and choice.

Melanie Brétécher

Pirntha Rajini

Does this sound like you?

You feel like you “go from 0 to 100” quickly and struggle to calm down once you are upset.
You later regret things you said or did in anger, even though it felt justified in the moment.
You notice tension in your body—tight jaw, clenched fists, racing heart when you are frustrated.

You are not “too much” or “broken”.
You deserve support.

Schedule a free consultation with a therapist to explore how we can help you understand what your anger is trying to tell you, respond with more choice, and create safer, more connected relationships.

Anger is a normal emotion — but it might not feel that way right now.

Anger can be a powerful signal that something matters to you: a boundary has been crossed, a value has been ignored, or a deeper feeling like hurt, fear, or shame is present underneath the surface. When it is expressed in a healthy way, anger can help you speak up, create boundaries, and move towards change.

But when anger feels intense, unpredictable, or overwhelming, it can start to impact your relationships, your work, your parenting, and how you see yourself. You might find yourself snapping at loved ones, shutting down to avoid conflict, or carrying guilt and self-judgment after an outburst.

In therapy, the goal is not to “get rid” of your anger. Instead, we focus on helping you understand where it comes from, what it is protecting, and how to express it in ways that feel more aligned with the kind of person you want to be. Together, we can build practical tools to pause, ground yourself, and choose responses that feel calmer, clearer, and more effective over time.

Anger Management Therapy at Ocean Blue Therapy

We Can Help When You Are Experiencing:

Frequent irritability, frustration, or feeling “on edge”

Sudden outbursts or difficulty controlling your temper

Feeling overwhelmed by anger when stressed or criticized

Saying or doing things in anger that you later regret

Feeling misunderstood, unheard, or disrespected in relationships

Physical signs like tightness in your chest, clenched jaw, or racing heart when upset

Difficulty letting go of resentment or grudges

Feeling ashamed, guilty, or confused about how angry you get

Using anger to protect more vulnerable emotions like sadness, fear, or hurt

Wanting to respond more calmly, but not knowing where to start

How Therapy at Ocean Blue Works

Free Consultation

During the free 15 minutes consultation, we discuss your concerns, answer questions, and explore how therapy can help. At Ocean Blue Therapy, we see your journey as setting sail. Whether the waters are calm or stormy, we provide a safe, judgment-free space for support and understanding.

Personalized Planning

We will work together to map out a personalized path that fits your needs and helps you navigate the challenges you’re facing—whether that involves anger, stress, relationships, or other emotional concerns.

Ongoing Support

As we navigate this journey, we will check in regularly to make sure you’re heading in the right direction. Like adjusting sails to the wind, we will adapt the treatment plan as needed to support your growth over time.

Therapy process illustration - sailing metaphor

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, anger, depression, relationship struggles, or navigating life transitions, therapy can be a supportive space to help you feel more grounded. Whether you are dealing with trauma or seeking help to manage difficult emotions, therapy offers a safe place to explore your feelings and experience personal growth. It is perfectly okay to seek support—it is an important part of taking care of yourself.

Your first session is an opportunity to share your story. We will discuss your background, the concerns currently on your mind, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. It is a time for you to get comfortable and for us to start building a connection. This session is all about understanding how we can support you moving forward, at a pace that feels right for you.

The length of therapy depends on your personal needs and goals. Some people find that short-term therapy is helpful for addressing specific concerns, while others benefit from long-term therapy for deeper self-exploration and growth. We will work together to ensure therapy is as helpful as possible for your unique journey.

Therapy is a deeply personal journey, and we believe it should be tailored to meet your unique needs and goals. At Ocean Blue Therapy, we are committed to connecting you with a therapist and approach that feels like the right fit for you. We understand how important it is to feel comfortable and supported in this process, which is why we offer a free 15-minute consultation with each of our therapists. During this time, you can ask any questions you may have and share your concerns, so we can ensure the care you receive is focused on what matters most to you. We're here to help you feel heard, understood, and supported every step of the way.

We kindly request payment at the time of your session. Afterward, we will provide you with a receipt, which you can easily submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. For your convenience, we accept cash, credit cards, and e-transfers. If you prefer to pay via e-transfer, you can send it to info@oceanbluetherapy.ca. We want to make this process as smooth and comfortable for you as possible.

Insurance coverage can vary, and we understand how confusing it can be to navigate. Unfortunately, OHIP does not cover psychotherapy services, so most of our clients either pay out-of-pocket or use their private insurance. If you have insurance coverage or benefits, it’s important to confirm with your provider whether your policy covers the services provided by your clinician’s specific license—whether that’s a Registered Psychotherapist (R.P.), Social Worker (R.S.W.), or Psychologist (C.Psych. or C.Psych. Assoc.). We’re happy to assist you in any way we can to ensure your therapy journey is as smooth as possible. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Contact Ocean Blue Therapy

At Ocean Blue Therapy, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Have questions or ready to book a session?

Just send us a message—your story matters.