Emotional Regulation Therapy in Utah County
When emotions feel too big, too fast, or impossible to control, DBT-based therapy can help you understand what’s happening and build real skills to manage it. Licensed therapists in Orem, Pleasant Grove, and online.
- Kids, teens & adults
- Most major insurance accepted
- In person or online
What emotional dysregulation can sound like
- One small thing sets me off, and I can’t come back down.
- I say things in the moment that I regret an hour later.
- My moods feel like they’re driving, not me.
- I either shut everything down or I explode. There’s no in-between.
- I’m exhausted from feeling everything so intensely.
Overwhelming, but very treatable with the right skills.
When Emotions Feel Like Too Much
Emotional dysregulation means emotions arrive fast, hit hard, and feel difficult to bring back down. It can look like anger outbursts, crying spells, shutting down completely, or saying and doing things in the moment that you regret once things settle.
This isn’t a character flaw or a lack of willpower. It’s often connected to nervous system sensitivity, trauma, ADHD, a mood disorder, or simply never having learned the skills to manage intense emotion. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed specifically to treat this, and it works.
At Willow Therapy, our therapists use DBT-informed skills alongside CBT to help you understand your emotional patterns and respond to them differently. Learn more about our DBT and CBT approaches.
Your emotions aren’t the problem. Not having a way to manage them is, and that’s what skills-based therapy changes.
Signs of Emotional Dysregulation
This looks different from person to person. You may recognize a few of these, or many.
Intense, fast-escalating reactions
Small triggers producing anger, tears, or panic that feels much bigger than the moment calls for.
Difficulty calming down
Once you’re upset, it takes a long time to settle, or you stay activated long after the trigger has passed.
Impulsive words or actions
Saying or doing something in the heat of the moment that you regret once you’ve calmed down.
Shutting down or numbing out
Going blank, withdrawing, or feeling nothing at all as a way to escape an overwhelming emotion.
Sudden mood swings
Emotions that shift quickly and intensely, sometimes without an obvious trigger.
All-or-nothing thinking under stress
Everything can feel entirely good or entirely bad once big emotions take over.
Strained relationships
Loved ones feel like they’re walking on eggshells, or conflict escalates faster than you’d like.
Self-critical spirals
Harsh self-judgment after an outburst, followed by shame or guilt.
Turning to unhealthy coping
Using self-harm, substances, food, or other behaviors to manage feelings that seem unbearable in the moment.
Who We Help
Emotional dysregulation shows up differently depending on your age, history, and life circumstances.
Teens & young adults
Emotional intensity is common in adolescence, but when it disrupts school, friendships, or safety, skills-based therapy helps. See our child & adolescent therapy page.
Adults with big emotional swings
Anger outbursts, crying spells, or shutting down that are affecting your work, parenting, or relationships.
People with a trauma history
Trauma can leave the nervous system on high alert, making emotions harder to manage. See our trauma-focused therapy page.
Those with ADHD
Emotional dysregulation is a common, often overlooked part of ADHD. See our ADHD support page.
Couples & families affected by outbursts
When one person’s emotional reactions are straining relationships, adding couples or family therapy alongside individual work can help everyone.
Anyone told they’re “too sensitive” or “too much”
Big emotions are a signal, not a character flaw. Skills can help you respond to them differently, without shrinking who you are.
How Therapy Helps
Emotional regulation responds well to skills-based treatment. Our therapists draw from evidence-based approaches, and the mix depends on you and your therapist’s training.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT was developed specifically to treat emotion regulation difficulties. It teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. Learn about DBT.
Distress tolerance skills
Learn to get through intense moments without making things worse, using tools like paced breathing, grounding, and other in-the-moment strategies.
Mindfulness
Build the ability to notice an emotion as it rises, before it takes over. Explore mindfulness.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Identify and shift the thought patterns that fuel emotional spirals and reactive behavior. Learn about CBT.
Interpersonal effectiveness
Learn to express needs, set boundaries, and navigate conflict without the conversation escalating.
Coordination with your doctor
If a mood disorder or ADHD is part of the picture, we’re glad to coordinate with your doctor or psychiatrist. Therapists don’t prescribe medication.
What Working Together Looks Like
Every person’s pace is different, but treatment for emotional regulation often follows this path.
Assessment
Your therapist learns your specific triggers, patterns, and what dysregulation looks like for you day to day.
Learn the skills
You’re introduced to mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills, at a pace that fits you.
Practice in session
You rehearse and apply new responses to difficult emotions in the room, before you need them in daily life.
Apply skills in real life
You track what’s working and what isn’t, and adjust the plan together with your therapist.
Build lasting stability
Outbursts become less frequent and less intense, relationships strengthen, and you gain real confidence in handling hard emotions.
Meet Therapists Who Treat Emotional Regulation
These therapists list DBT, coping skills, or emotional regulation specifically among their areas of focus. Choose by location, or call us and we’ll help match you.
8 therapists
Andria Beckham
ACMHC
Orem · Virtual
Emotional regulation, DBT & mood disorders. Ages 5+
Meet Andria →
Celeste Webster
CSW
Orem · Virtual
Emotional regulation, DBT & coping skills. Ages 10+
Meet Celeste →
Ivy Christiansen
LMFT
Pleasant Grove · Virtual
Emotional regulation & DBT for teens and families
Meet Ivy →
Mariah Frias
LCSW
Pleasant Grove · Virtual
DBT, mood regulation & coping skills. Teens & young adults
Meet Mariah →
Alisha Delacruz
LCSW
Pleasant Grove · Virtual
DBT, coping skills & anger management
Meet Alisha →
Shannon Aaron
LCSW
Pleasant Grove · Virtual
DBT, coping skills & anger management
Meet Shannon →
Michaella DiRegolo
AMFT
Pleasant Grove · Virtual
Emotional regulation, coping skills & family conflict
Meet Michaella →
Sierra Livermore
AMFT
Orem · Virtual
DBT, coping skills & anger management
Meet Sierra →
Not sure who to choose? Call (801) 410-0542 or schedule online, and our team will help you find a good fit. See all therapist profiles →
Curious about the skills behind this?
Emotional regulation is one of the four core skill sets taught in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Our DBT page breaks down what that looks like in practice.
Insurance & Payment
Emotional dysregulation often accompanies diagnoses such as mood disorders, ADHD, or PTSD, and treatment for these is typically covered, subject to your benefits. We accept most major plans, including Select Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and others.
Our team will verify your benefits and talk through your options, including self-pay, before your first appointment. Check your coverage →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is emotional dysregulation?
Emotional dysregulation is difficulty managing the intensity, speed, or expression of emotions. It can look like outbursts that feel disproportionate to the trigger, trouble calming down once upset, or swinging between shutting down and reacting impulsively.
Is this the same as having anger issues?
Anger is often part of it, but emotional dysregulation can also show up as intense sadness, anxiety, shame spirals, or numbing out. Therapy addresses the underlying pattern, not just one emotion.
What is DBT, and how is it different from regular talk therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based approach developed specifically for emotion regulation difficulties. Rather than only talking through problems, you learn concrete skills for mindfulness, tolerating distress, managing emotions, and communicating effectively, then practice applying them. Learn more about DBT.
Can teens do this kind of therapy?
Yes. Several of our therapists, including Andria, Celeste, Ivy, and Mariah, work with teens and use DBT-informed skills training. See our child & adolescent therapy page for more.
Is emotional dysregulation linked to ADHD or trauma?
Often, yes. Emotional dysregulation is a common, sometimes overlooked, feature of ADHD, and it’s also common after trauma, when the nervous system stays on high alert. See our ADHD and trauma-focused therapy pages for more.
Will I need medication?
Not necessarily. Skills-based therapy alone helps many people. Therapists don’t prescribe medication, but yours can help you understand your options and coordinate with your doctor or psychiatrist if medication is part of your plan.
How long does treatment take?
It varies based on how long the pattern has been in place and your goals. DBT-based skills work is structured and practical, and many people notice real change within a defined course of treatment. Your therapist will give you a realistic timeline after your first sessions.
Can my family or partner be involved?
Often, yes. When outbursts or shutdowns are affecting a relationship, adding couples or family sessions alongside individual work can help everyone understand what’s happening and respond differently.
Can this be treated online?
Yes. Skills-based therapy translates well to telehealth, and all of the therapists listed above offer secure, HIPAA-compliant online sessions anywhere in Utah, alongside in-person options in Orem and Pleasant Grove.
Is therapy for emotional regulation covered by insurance?
Usually, yes. Emotional dysregulation often accompanies diagnoses such as mood disorders, ADHD, or PTSD, and treatment for these is typically covered, subject to your benefits. We accept most major insurance plans, and our team will verify your coverage before your first appointment. Verify your coverage here.
Ready to Feel More in Control of Your Emotions?
You don’t have to keep white-knuckling through big feelings. Schedule an appointment in Orem, Pleasant Grove, or online.
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