Supporting Young People with Emotional Dysregulation

Parenting a child who struggles with big emotions can feel overwhelming. You may

find yourself walking on eggshells, unsure of what will set them off, or exhausted by

frequent meltdowns that seem impossible to calm. If this sounds familiar, you’re not

alone. Many families face these challenges, and it can feel both frustrating and

worrying when nothing seems to work.

What’s happening here is often called emotional dysregulation. This simply means a

child has difficulty managing intense feelings such as anger, worry, or sadness.

These emotions aren’t “bad”, in fact, they’re a normal part of growing up, but for

some children, they can feel so strong that their bodies and minds become

overwhelmed. The good news is that with the right support, children can learn skills

to better understand and manage their feelings.

Therapy can provide an extra layer of support when your existing strategies are

becoming less effective. In sessions with psychologists, children can learn practical

regulation skills through play, games, and activities that make coping tools easier to

understand and practice. Therapists also help kids understand their feelings by

building emotional language and confidence. Importantly, therapy usually involves

parents too, teaching co-regulation strategies, problem-solving together, and creating

consistent approaches at home.

The goal isn’t to stop your child from having strong emotions, it’s to give them the

confidence and strategies to handle those feelings in healthy ways. With the right

support, children can learn that emotions don’t have to be scary or overwhelming,

they’re something we can all learn to manage.

In therapy, we take a supportive and practical approach, focusing on four broad

areas:

1. Building Emotional Vocabulary

Children learn to notice, name, and describe their feelings. Using tools like

stories, games, and feelings charts, we help them put words to what’s

happening inside, which makes emotions feel less confusing and more

manageable.

2. Exploring Coping Tools

Every child is different, so therapy helps them experiment with strategies such

as breathing exercises, sensory activities, or movement. Together, we

discover what actually works for them in calming their body and mind.

3. Enhancing Communication Skills

Big feelings often spill over into conflict with parents, siblings, or peers.

Therapy supports children in expressing their needs more clearly and

problem-solving in healthier ways, reducing frustration on both sides.

4. Supporting Parents and Caregivers

A huge part of therapy is working alongside families. We share strategies for

co-regulation (helping your child calm down with your support), setting clear

and consistent boundaries, and creating a predictable environment where

children feel safe.

The aim of therapy isn’t to eliminate big emotions, all children will continue to

experience them, but to give your child the tools and confidence to navigate their

feelings in a healthier way. With patience, support, and practice, children can learn

that emotions aren’t something to fear or avoid, but something they can understand