Therapy for Emotional Dysregulation
Specialist psychotherapy for children and young people with emotional dysregulation. Available online in the UK, without the wait.
What is Emotional Dysregulation?
All children and young people experience strong emotions from time to time. Feeling angry, frustrated, overwhelmed or upset is a normal part of growing up. Emotional dysregulation is different. It refers to a persistent difficulty in managing emotional responses in a way that is proportionate to the situation, and it goes beyond the typical ups and downs of childhood and adolescence.
Young people with emotional dysregulation may experience emotions that are more intense than those of their peers, that escalate very quickly, and that take much longer to come back down from. What might seem like a minor frustration to others can trigger an extreme reaction, leaving parents feeling confused, exhausted and at a loss for how to help.
Emotional dysregulation is not a diagnosis in itself, but rather a feature that can be associated with a number of conditions including ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression and trauma. It can also occur without any underlying diagnosis. Whatever the cause, the impact on the young person and their family can be significant, and the right therapeutic support can make a real difference.
How Emotional Dysregulation Presents
Emotional dysregulation can look very different from young person to young person, and it is not always immediately recognisable as such. While explosive anger and outbursts are perhaps the most visible presentation, emotional dysregulation can also manifest in less obvious ways.
Common presentations include:
Intense and rapid mood swings that seem disproportionate to the situation
Explosive anger, shouting, aggression or physical outbursts
Extreme emotional reactions to perceived criticism, rejection or failure
Parents often describe feeling like they are walking on eggshells, never quite knowing what might trigger an episode. Siblings and other family members are frequently affected too, and the strain on family relationships can be considerable.
While some young people develop better emotional regulation naturally as they mature, for others the difficulties persist and can become more complex over time. Therapy gives young people concrete skills to understand and manage their emotions, and early support tends to lead to significantly better outcomes.
Hi, I'm Christina
I have worked with many young people struggling with emotional dysregulation throughout my career, and I am trained in DBT Skills, a highly effective approach for developing emotional regulation. I understand how exhausting this can be for the whole family, and how transformative the right support can be.
Hi, I'm Christina
I have worked with many young people struggling with emotional dysregulation throughout my career, and I am trained in DBT Skills, a highly effective approach for developing emotional regulation. I understand how exhausting this can be for the whole family, and how transformative the right support can be.
How We Treat Emotional Dysregulation
At Sulis Therapies, we treat emotional dysregulation using two evidence-based approaches: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). We also draw on DBT Skills, a highly effective set of techniques specifically developed to help people manage intense emotions.
Following a comprehensive assessment, and in conjunction with discussion with the young person and/or parent/carer(s), we will recommend the approach that is best suited to your child's individual needs, in some cases this may be a combination of both.
CBT for emotional dysregulation helps young people identify the thoughts and triggers that contribute to intense emotional reactions, and develop practical strategies to manage them more effectively. Through structured sessions, young people build self-awareness around their emotional patterns and learn techniques to interrupt the escalation cycle before it reaches a crisis point. Where relevant, DBT Skills are incorporated into the work, providing concrete tools for tolerating distress, regulating emotions and improving relationships.
Where emotional dysregulation is rooted in past traumatic or distressing experiences, EMDR can be an effective approach. By reprocessing the underlying memories and experiences that are contributing to intense emotional reactions, EMDR can reduce their impact and allow young people to respond to difficult situations with greater calm and control.
Quick Answers
How do I know if my child needs therapy for emotional dysregulation?
If your child's emotional reactions are significantly affecting their relationships, their schooling or family life, and if attempts to manage the situation at home do not seem to be helping, therapy is likely to be beneficial. You do not need a formal diagnosis to seek support. If your child is struggling to manage their emotions in a way that is causing distress to them or those around them, that is reason enough to get in touch.
What ages do you treat?
We work with children and young people up to the age of 26.
How many sessions will my child need?
This depends entirely on your child and the nature of their difficulties. The initial sessions focus on understanding what your child is experiencing and putting together a clear plan for therapy. At that stage we will be able to give you a much clearer idea of how many sessions we feel would be beneficial.
How often will my child need to attend sessions?
We recommend sessions at least once a week for the best results, though we can discuss a more intensive programme if that suits your child's needs. We offer flexible appointments including evenings and weekends to fit around your family's schedule.
How much do sessions cost?
CBT sessions last 60 minutes and cost £85. EMDR sessions last 90 minutes and cost £100. A free initial consultation is available so we can discuss your child's needs before committing to a programme of therapy.
If your child is struggling with emotional dysregulation, we're here to help. Get in touch today to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can support your family.
