Big Feelings & Overwhelm

You never know what kind of day it’s going to be for your child.  Much of the time they’re the sweet, funny, happy kid you’ve always known.  But some days are different.  They’re easily offended, quick to tears, and get thrown into a rage at the slightest provocation.  You understand that changing hormones can sometimes cause this kind of behavior, but these bad days are becoming more frequent and you’re not sure how to calm your child down.  You know they’re a good kid, and that these mood swings are no fun for them either.  

Having intense emotions is part of being a pre-teen and teenager.  It’s normal, and part of this time in their lives is to learn how to manage these emotions so they don’t totally take over.  Like with any new skill, learning to manage these intense feelings is a process, and many kids can benefit from someone to help guide them through the process.  

In therapy I help kids learn to identify their emotions, notice when they are starting to ramp up, and develop skills to help keep the emotions in check.  It’s not about pushing down emotions, it’s important to feel them and express them.  It’s about learning how to not let them take over.  If your child would like some help learning how to feel in control of their emotions, have them check out the For Kids and Teens page or contact me.