A door slams. A text gets fired off that you can't take back. Tears come and won't stop, or you go so numb you can't feel anything at all. Big feelings are part of being human, but when they take over again and again, life at home, school and work gets hard. Emotional regulation counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo can help teens 16 and up and adults learn to ride out strong feelings with more choice. This post covers what it can look like, what parents can do and how to get started.
This post is general information, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can assess what you or your teen are going through.
Feelings that come on fast or shut down
Emotional regulation is the set of ways we shape our feelings and how we show them. It includes things we do on our own, like taking a breath or going for a walk. It also includes help from other people, like talking to a friend who calms us down (see Sources). Regulation doesn't mean never feeling upset. It means having some say in what happens next.
Some people feel things very fast and very strongly. Others shut down and go blank when feelings get too big. Many people do both, depending on the day.
Emotional regulation counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo is for teens 16 and up and adults who want more steady ground. You can meet at our downtown Kitchener office, our Uptown Waterloo office or online from anywhere in Ontario.
Big feelings at home, school and work
Big feelings can show up in different ways in different places.
At home, it might be snapping at family over small things, slamming doors or long arguments that leave everyone drained. It might also be hiding in your room and not talking for hours.
At school, it might be freezing during a test, walking out of class, or feeling crushed by one bad grade or comment from a friend.
At work, it might be a short fuse with coworkers, crying in the washroom after a meeting, or going numb and getting nothing done.
Help managing big emotions in Kitchener often starts with simply naming the pattern. When do the feelings hit? What comes right before? What happens after? This is not about finding a label or a diagnosis. It is about seeing the pattern clearly, so you can start to change it.
Difficulty managing emotions can show up alongside many other struggles, such as trauma, ADHD, low mood or anxiety (see Sources). That is one reason it can be worth working on directly.
Teens 16 and up and their big emotions
The teen years bring a lot of change. Bodies, friendships, school pressure and the push for more independence can all stir up strong feelings. For many teens, big emotions are a normal part of growing up. For some, they start to get in the way of school, friendships or family life.
Emotional regulation for teens in Kitchener-Waterloo usually starts with getting to know your teen. What do they care about? What feels hard? Sessions with a 16 or 17 year old are often a mix of talking, learning skills and practising them in real life. Many teens are more open when they feel the therapist is on their side and not just reporting back to parents.
Parents often wonder what they will hear. Your therapist will explain what is shared and what stays private at the start, so everyone knows what to expect.
What parents can do in the meantime
While your teen is in counselling, there is a lot you can do at home:
Stay as calm as you can. Your calm helps their calm. If you need a break before you respond, take one.
Talk after the storm, not during it. In the heat of the moment, nobody learns much. Wait until things settle, then talk.
Don't try to fix every feeling. Sometimes a teen just needs to feel heard. Try saying, "That sounds really hard," before you offer advice.
Notice the good moments. When your teen handles a hard moment well, tell them you noticed.
Look after yourself too. Living with big feelings is tiring. Support for parents can help you stay steady.
If your teen talks about hurting themselves or someone else, or you are worried about their safety, don't wait for the next session. Call 911 if there is immediate danger, or call or text 9-8-8 for support any time. You can also ask about counselling for yourself as a parent. Having your own space to talk can make it easier to stay patient at home.
For adults, from short fuse to steadier ground
Adults struggle with big feelings too. Stress, burnout, past hurt and poor sleep are common things that turn up the volume on emotions. When you are running on empty, small problems can feel huge.
Emotional regulation therapy in Waterloo and Kitchener helps you understand your own patterns and build skills that fit your life. Sessions might focus on noticing early warning signs, finding ways to calm your body, working through old hurts that still sting, and learning to say what you need without blowing up or shutting down.
Some sessions may draw on skills from dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). DBT skills in Kitchener-Waterloo sessions might include ways to get through a crisis moment without making it worse, or ways to act opposite to an urge that won't help you. Your therapist will explain these in plain words and help you practise them.
Local clinicians who focus on big feelings
Several of our therapists list emotional regulation on their profiles and are accepting new clients. Here are three who see teens 16 and up and adults:
Amanda Snyder, RSW. Sees clients in person in Waterloo and Kitchener, and online. Learn more about Amanda Snyder.
Ruba Chihabi, RP. Sees clients in person in Waterloo, and online. Learn more about Ruba Chihabi.
Jaiden Ristau, RP (Qualifying). Sees clients in Kitchener and Waterloo, in person and online. Learn more about Jaiden Ristau.
We can direct bill many insurers for sessions with RP (Qualifying) therapists too. If you are not sure who to choose, the free consultation can match you with the right person for you or your teen.
Downtown Kitchener, Uptown Waterloo or online
Kitchener. Our office is at 72 Victoria St S, 3rd Floor, in downtown Kitchener. There is free parking behind the building, and it is a short walk from the ION Central Station stop at King and Victoria.
Waterloo. Our Uptown Waterloo office is at 22 King St S, near King and Erb. Free parking is available in nearby municipal lots.
Online. You can also meet by secure video from anywhere in Ontario. You get a link by email, and there is nothing to download. Online sessions can be a good fit for busy teens and adults, or for days when getting to the office feels like too much.
Cost, billing and your first step
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers. Coverage depends on your plan, so check with your insurer before you start.
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. Let them know you'd like help with big feelings, for yourself or your teen, and whether you prefer Kitchener, Waterloo or online. They'll help you find a good fit.
If you're in crisis: if you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. If you're thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
The future of emotion regulation research: broadening our field of view, Petrova and Gross, Affective Science, 2023
Emotional dysregulation as trans-nosographic psychopathological dimension in adulthood: a systematic review, Carmassi and colleagues, Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2022
Psychotherapies, National Institute of Mental Health