What We Treat
Evidence-based, individualized treatment for anger from licensed clinicians, in person in San Pedro or online.
Anger is a normal emotion, and on its own it is not a problem. It becomes a problem when it shows up too often, gets too big for the situation, or leaves damage behind. Many people who come in for anger feel caught off guard by how fast it rises, and worn down by the fallout afterward. The anger is real, and so is the pain it tends to sit on top of.
Frequent or explosive anger that feels bigger than the moment calls for.
Ongoing irritability or feeling on edge much of the time.
Strain and conflict in relationships at home or at work.
Guilt or shame once an outburst has passed.
Underlying anxiety, hurt, or shame that the anger covers over.
Anger rarely stands alone. It often sits on top of another feeling or condition, and our clinicians treat the whole picture rather than a single label. Each area below has a page that explains how we approach it.
A keyed-up nervous system that can tip into irritability and a shorter fuse.
The irritability and low tolerance that depression often wears, especially in men and teens.
Anger rooted in past trauma, where the nervous system stays primed to protect you.
Long-running reactivity and emotional flooding shaped by repeated or early harm.
Conflict cycles at home or at work where anger keeps damaging the connection.
Intense, hard-to-regulate anger that shows up as part of a broader pattern.
We help you catch the build-up earlier, understand what fuels it, and choose a response you can stand behind. We build a plan with you and work at a pace you can manage.
Helps you see the thoughts and triggers that set anger off, question the interpretations that pour fuel on it, and respond before the reaction takes over.
Concrete tools for emotion regulation and distress tolerance, so intense feeling does not have to spill into action.
Because anger so often sits on top of older hurt, we make room to explore its roots, including trauma, so the work reaches past the surface.
| Approach | Best suited for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| CBT | Triggers and the thinking that fuels anger | Identifies the thoughts and interpretations that set anger off and reworks them. |
| DBT | Intense emotion that spills into action | Builds emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills for the heated moment. |
| Exploring the roots | Anger that sits on older hurt or trauma | Reaches the hurt, anxiety, or shame underneath so change holds over time. |
Starting therapy should feel clear, not overwhelming. Here is how it works at Coastwise.
We start with a short, private conversation to understand how anger is showing up for you and what you want from therapy.
We pair you with a licensed clinician who treats anger and emotion regulation, not whoever happens to be free.
Your clinician builds a plan with you and works at a pace you can manage, so progress feels steady and sustainable.
We work with adults and teens whose anger ranges from a nagging short fuse to outbursts that frighten the people they love. Because anger so often travels with anxiety and depression or unresolved hurt, our clinicians treat the whole picture rather than a single label.
See us in person at our San Pedro office or work with a clinician securely online anywhere in California. The skills translate well to telehealth, and practicing them in your own environment is often an advantage.
We use CBT to spot the thoughts and triggers that set anger off, and DBT skills to regulate intense emotion and stay grounded in the moment. We also look at what sits underneath the anger, such as hurt, anxiety, or shame, so the work lasts beyond the technique. Your therapist builds a plan with you and works at a pace you can manage.
Yes. Anger that comes often, feels explosive, or strains your relationships and work is worth addressing. Anger is a normal emotion, but when it runs the show it can leave a trail of regret and distance. Therapy helps you understand it and respond differently.
Many people notice change within a few months of consistent work, though it varies with severity and how long the pattern has been present. The goal is not to never feel angry but to catch the build-up earlier and respond in a way you can stand behind.
Yes. The skills work well over secure video, and practicing them in your own environment can help. We see clients in person in San Pedro and virtually across California.
Often, yes. Anger frequently sits on top of anxiety, depression, or unresolved hurt, and we treat the whole picture rather than one diagnosis in isolation.
Anger responds to the right treatment. Call us for a free, confidential consultation and we will match you to a clinician who treats it.
Call (424) 536-3002 Get Started