Anger Therapy in Vancouver
Counselling for Anger & Emotional Regulation
When anger feels like it’s controlling you—not the other way around—it can damage your relationships, your self-respect, and your sense of peace. Maybe you’ve tried to “calm down” or “walk away,” but the frustration keeps building.
Get matched with an ARC therapist who will help you understand your anger and find healthier ways to respond, without losing yourself in the process.
Is anger affecting your relationships, work, or wellbeing?
Anger is a normal human emotion—but when it becomes frequent, intense, or hard to control, it can hurt the people around us and ourselves. Often, anger is a signal of something deeper: stress, fear, hurt, or feeling out of control.
Here are some signs that anger may be interfering with your life:
- Frequent outbursts, yelling, or irritability
- Difficulty controlling your temper in relationships or at work
- Feeling like you’re always “on edge” or ready to snap
- Regret or shame after reacting in anger
- Tension in your body—clenched jaw, fists, or tight chest
- Trouble communicating how you feel without exploding or withdrawing
- Avoidance from loved ones or coworkers due to your temper
- Turning anger inward, leading to self-criticism or shutdown
How anger therapy can help
Anger is rarely just about anger. Beneath it, there’s often pain, unmet needs, fear, or a sense of being disrespected or unheard. Therapy can help you understand what’s really going on—and teach you how to respond in a way that feels more aligned with who you want to be.
Your ARC therapist will help you:
- Understand the root causes and triggers of your anger
- Learn to pause before reacting and make thoughtful choices
- Express your emotions in healthy, non-destructive ways
- Build skills to manage stress, tension, and frustration
- Improve communication and rebuild strained relationships
- Strengthen emotional regulation, self-awareness, and long-term resilience
Let’s work through anger together
At ARC, we understand that anger can feel shameful, misunderstood, or out of control. But it’s not something you have to hide or manage alone. Our therapists offer compassionate support to help you decode the message behind your anger—so you can channel it in ways that are healthy and support connection.
Therapy isn’t about making you “less angry”—it’s about helping you feel more in control, more understood, and more at peace with your own emotions. Reach out today to book your free consultation.
Meet Our Vancouver Therapists
Tianna Bobariu
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Amenda Kumar
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Kristen Rattray
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Kiana Maeda
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Jack Wong
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Danielle Simpson
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Elise Millett
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Lilian Wang
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Getting The Help You Need is Easy
Reach Out
Fill out our easy contact form. All we need is your basic info, and a few words about what brings you to therapy.
Free Consultation
We’ll reach out to schedule your complimentary consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, questions, and make sure we’re the right fit.
Start Therapy
Feeling ready? We’ll book your first session and create a personalized plan to help you live the life you deserve.
Our Step-by-Step Process to Healing Anger
Creating Safety
We'll begin by understanding your relationship with anger—how it shows up, what sets it off, and what it’s protecting. There’s no shame here—just curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to helping you respond differently.
Identifying Triggers
Together, we’ll explore the situations, thoughts, and feelings that escalate anger. You’ll start to notice your warning signs earlier and identify the deeper emotions that anger might be masking—like sadness, shame, or helplessness.
Learn Grounding Tools
You’ll learn practical strategies to help calm your body and mind when you feel your anger rising. This might include breathing techniques, body awareness, or simple tools to interrupt the cycle before it explodes.
Building Emotional Regulation
We’ll teach you how to stay with difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. This includes learning to tolerate discomfort, sitting with strong feelings, and responding from a place of intention—not impulse.
Practicing Assertiveness & Boundaries
As your emotional regulation grows, we’ll work on healthy ways to express frustration, advocate for your needs, and set limits without aggression or avoidance.
Creating Lasting Change
In the later stages of therapy, we’ll focus on integrating your new skills into real-life situations—whether in relationships, work, or daily stress. You’ll begin to relate to anger differently and respond in ways that reflect your values, not just your emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if anger therapy is right for me?
If anger is causing harm in your relationships, work, or self-esteem—or if you feel out of control when you’re upset—therapy can help. We’ll support you in identifying triggers, slowing down your reactions, and finding healthier ways to express and manage strong emotions.
Is anger therapy just for people who yell or lose control?
Anger can show up differently for everybody. Anger can look like yelling, but it can also show up as shutting down, being sarcastic, stonewalling, or turning feelings inward. Whether your anger is loud or quiet, therapy can help you better understand it and respond differently.
What if I’ve been angry for years. Can I still change?
Absolutely. Many people come to therapy with long-standing patterns around anger. With time, support, and the right tools, it’s possible to shift even deeply rooted habits and develop healthier, more grounded ways of responding.
How long will anger therapy take?
Every person is different, but many clients notice changes in how they respond to anger after just a few sessions. Feeling truly seen and understood in your experience can be very impactful. Lasting change—like better communication, reduced reactivity, and stronger relationships—typically takes consistent work over at least a few months. We’ll set goals together and always move at a pace that feels right for you.
Is anger therapy the same as anger management?
Not exactly. Anger management programs are often group-based and focus on teaching strategies to control anger in specific settings. Anger therapy, on the other hand, is one-on-one and takes a deeper, more individualized approach. We explore not just how to control anger, but why it shows up—and how to work with it differently. Both can be helpful, and each offers its own unique benefits.
One of the benefits of structured anger management programs is that they’re often more financially accessible than individual therapy. While these group-based options may be less personalized, they can still provide useful tools and skills for managing anger. While at ARC we offer one-on-one therapy, we also understand that every person’s situation is different—and we’re here to help you find the support that fits best for you.
I've tried to control my anger before and it didn’t work. How is therapy any different?
That’s a completely valid concern—many people come to therapy after trying things like deep breathing or distraction, only to find their anger still flares up in ways they can’t fully control.
What makes therapy different is the structure, the support, and the depth of understanding it offers. Together, we’ll identify the underlying patterns and triggers behind your anger—not just the surface symptoms—and develop tools that are tailored specifically to how it shows up in your life.
You also won’t be doing it alone. With consistent support and accountability, therapy gives you the space to practice new responses, understand what’s driving your anger, and start responding in ways that feel more aligned with the person you want to be.
Is anger therapy confidential?
Absolutely. Everything you share in anger therapy is kept strictly confidential, with only a few rare exceptions (such as if there’s a risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or in cases involving abuse of a vulnerable person).
Many clients tell us that having a safe, judgment-free space to talk openly about their anger is one of the most liberating parts of therapy. Knowing your story is held with care and non-judgment can make it easier to explore what’s really going on—and begin to make meaningful changes.
Is anger therapy covered by insurance?
Usually, yes. Most extended health plans cover counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor. We’ll provide a receipt that you can submit for reimbursement—most clients are reimbursed within a few days.
How will I fit appointments into my busy schedule?
We understand that life is hectic—that’s why we offer flexible evening and weekend appointments, as well as online therapy options you can attend from home. Whether you prefer a consistent weekly time or need a bit more flexibility, we’ll work with you to find a schedule that supports your goals and respects your time.
What if I feel ashamed or nervous about starting therapy for anger?
That’s completely understandable. Anger often carries stigma or guilt, but we see it as just one part of your emotional experience—not who you are. We offer a free 30-minute consultation so you can meet your therapist and decide if it feels like the right fit. No pressure, no judgment.
A Message of Support from Our Director
Hi, I’m Kelsey, the Clinical Director here at ARC. I want to start by saying something that doesn’t get said enough – it’s okay to need support.
If you’re reading this, you might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply not yourself. At ARC, we understand how deeply personal it is to reach out for help. That’s why we’re so intentional about the care we offer. Every therapist on our team is here because they lead with heart, they know their stuff, and they truly care about helping people feel better.
We also know that feeling safe in therapy means feeling seen and respected. That’s why we’re committed to creating an inclusive space – one that honours your identity, your culture, and your lived experience.
My role is to make sure your experience here is thoughtful, safe, and meaningful – from your very first point of contact to the support you receive in therapy. If you’re unsure about where to start, I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation. I’ll personally take the time to read your request and match you with one of the therapists on our team.
You’ve already taken the first step by being here. When you’re feeling ready, take the next step by reaching out – and we’ll walk the rest of the way together.
Take the next step towards feeling better today
Location
470 Granville St, #922
Vancouver, BC, V6C 1V5
Our Hours
Mon – Fri: 09:00 – 21:30
Sat – Sun: 09:00 – 20:30