Anger Management in Vaughan, Ontario

Psychologist-Led Counselling for Anger and Emotional Regulation

Robert Roopa, M.Ed., C.Psych.
Registered Clinical Psychologist in Vaughan, Ontario

If you’re searching for anger management in Vaughan, support is available. At Counselling Services for York Region, we help adults and teens improve emotional regulation, reduce outbursts, and build healthier coping strategies using evidence-based therapy.

Learn more about our anger management counselling program or explore individual counselling in Vaughan.

I think I have an anger issue. What can I do?

If you’re struggling with anger, irritability, or frequent outbursts, you’re not alone. As part of my work as a registered clinical psychologist in Vaughan, I help individuals understand whether anger is related to emotional regulation difficulties, chronic stress, underlying mental health concerns, or physical factors that may influence mood and reactivity.

Anger management counselling focuses on helping you better understand why anger shows up, how it affects your relationships and daily life, and what can be done to manage it more effectively. Many people experience significant improvement with treatment. If therapy is not an option right now, there are also high-quality psychoeducational resources that can help you begin addressing anger more proactively.

Some recommended resources include:

• The Dance of Anger – Harriet Lerner
• When Anger Hurts – McKay, Rogers, & McKay

For parents:

• The Whole-Brain Child – Daniel Siegel

How do I control my anger?

Anger is often misunderstood. While most people dislike how it feels, anger itself is not a “bad” emotion. It can be an important signal that something feels wrong, unfair, or overwhelming.

In therapy, I help clients understand that anger is typically a secondary emotion. This means it is often driven by other underlying feelings such as fear, hurt, shame, frustration, or disappointment. When those emotions go unnoticed, anger can feel sudden, intense, and difficult to control.

By increasing awareness of these underlying emotions and the thoughts connected to them, it becomes much easier to pause, reflect, and respond more effectively. For many people, this process is significantly easier with the guidance of a psychologist who can help identify unhelpful thinking patterns and teach practical emotional regulation skills.

What does therapy look like for anger and temper control?

When working with individuals who struggle with anger, I primarily use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and related evidence-based approaches. Therapy focuses on understanding how your thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and environment interact and contribute to anger.

Anger management therapy is not just about “calming down.” It involves identifying what reduces your patience and emotional bandwidth and learning strategies to respond differently when emotions are high.

Areas we typically work on include:

• Meditation and mindfulness practices (often a core component of treatment)
• CBT strategies specifically tailored to anger
• Emotional regulation skills
• Improving problem-solving abilities
• Reframing rigid standards and expectations
• Family or relational therapy when appropriate

If anger is connected to anxiety, chronic stress, or worry, you may also benefit from exploring our anxiety clinic.

How do I stop my anger when it happens?

We work on developing strategies to help you become aware of triggers that influence your anger and how to respond effectively in the moment. This includes managing the physiological reaction that comes with anger and creating mental separation even when you cannot leave the situation.

Sometimes this involves using grounding tools such as background music. Other times it means temporarily disengaging and returning once you feel regulated enough to re-engage constructively. For practical strategies you can start using right away, you may also find this helpful: Controlling my anger immediately.

Why am I angry all the time? What causes anger?

The way we think strongly influences how we feel. Many people struggling with anger experience cognitive distortions such as “musts,” “oughts,” and “shoulds.” These rigid expectations can create chronic frustration when others—or life—do not meet those standards.

Perfectionism is another common contributor to anger and irritability. When expectations are unrealistically high, even small stressors can feel overwhelming. As a psychologist, I can assess whether perfectionism or other patterns are contributing to your anger.

Other mental health concerns that may need to be ruled out include:

• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Intermittent Explosive Disorder
• ADHD
• Substance Use Disorder

Physical and lifestyle factors can also contribute, including hormonal imbalances, chronic pain or illness, brain injury, prolonged stress, socioeconomic challenges, and sleep deprivation.

What are the signs of an anger problem?

If anger is affecting your relationships, parenting, work, or daily functioning, it is worth addressing. You will work directly with a professionally trained therapist in a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential space.

If you have questions or would like to explore anger management counselling in Vaughan, please call 416-999-3437, contact us, or request an appointment online.

Our Vaughan counselling centre is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anger Management

Does anger management therapy actually work?

Yes. Evidence-based therapy can help you identify triggers, reduce emotional reactivity, and build coping strategies that improve relationships and daily functioning. Many clients notice meaningful changes within a structured course of therapy.

What causes anger and irritability?

Anger can be influenced by stress, sleep issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, cognitive patterns (e.g., rigid “shoulds”), perfectionism, relationship conflict, and physical factors such as chronic pain or hormonal changes.

What is the best therapy for anger?

CBT is commonly used for anger management because it helps you recognize unhelpful thought patterns, improve emotional regulation, and practice new behavioural responses. Mindfulness-based approaches can also be helpful for reducing physiological arousal.

Do you offer anger management therapy groups in Vaughan?

Yes. We offer group options when available. Learn more about our group therapy services, including anger-focused groups.

Is anger management available online in Ontario?

Yes. If appropriate for your needs, online therapy may be an option. Learn more about telephone and online counselling.

About the Author

Robert Roopa, M.Ed., C.Psych. is a registered clinical psychologist providing psychotherapy and psychological assessment in Vaughan, Ontario. He offers evidence-based counselling for anger, emotional regulation, anxiety, and stress-related concerns, with in-person services in Vaughan and secure virtual psychotherapy across Ontario. Learn more about our psychology practice.