Anger Management Therapy for Adults, Teenagers, and Children in Limerick, Cork, Adare, Newcastle West Limerick, Midleton, Youghal Cork & Dungarvan – & Online Anger Therapy Ireland
Anger is a natural and healthy emotion that we all experience, whether as adults, teenagers, or even children. It’s a protective response to stress, threats, or perceived injustices. However, when anger becomes difficult to control, or when it leads to conflict, stress, and harm to others or ourselves, it can become overwhelming. Whether you’re struggling with road rage, parenting frustrations, workplace conflict, teenage anger, or dealing with the emotional fallout of family betrayal, you don’t have to face this alone. Claire Russell Therapy offers expert, evidence-based anger management solutions, providing psychotherapy, clinical hypnotherapy, and nutritionist support to help you, your children, or teenagers regain control and feel calm again.
As a Integrative Psychotherapist, Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, RTT Therapist, Counsellor, and Psychotherapist, I help individuals of all ages—whether you’re an adult, teenager, or child—navigate the emotional, mental health issues and physical effects of anger and manage it in healthy, productive ways. My services are available online and in-person at my clinics in Limerick, Adare, Newcastle West Limerick, Midleton, Youghal, Cork, and Dungarvan, ensuring that no matter where you are, you have access to the support you need.
What is Anger?
Anger is an emotional reaction to stress, perceived injustice, betrayal, or frustration. It is a natural response that helps us protect ourselves when we feel threatened. However, when anger becomes uncontrollable, it can have a negative impact on your emotional, physical, and mental health. Anger management is all about learning how to express this emotion healthily and regain control over your reactions.
Whether you’re an adult struggling with workplace stress, a teenager facing social pressures, or a child frustrated with school or family dynamics, anger can affect everyone. Anger becomes a problem when it leads to destructive behaviour like shouting, hitting, or withdrawing, or when it starts to interfere with your day-to-day life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Why Does Anger Feel Good Sometimes?
Anger can provide a temporary sense of relief or empowerment. Studies show that swearing or shouting can trigger a release of tension and make us feel better in the short term. This is why people may turn to anger when they are feeling emotionally or mentally overwhelmed—anger provides a quick release and a temporary feeling of control. However, relying on anger as an emotional coping mechanism can be harmful if it isn’t managed properly.
Is Anger Always Bad?
No, anger in itself is not bad. It’s a natural emotion that serves a purpose: to alert us when we feel threatened, wronged, or frustrated. What truly matters is how we express and manage anger. Healthy expressions of anger, like assertive communication and setting clear boundaries, can help resolve conflicts and lead to positive change. On the other hand, uncontrolled anger, or using anger as a means of punishment, can harm relationships, our physical health, and emotional well-being.
If your anger is hurting you or your loved ones, or if it’s becoming a constant source of stress, it’s important to get help—whether it’s for adult anger management, teenage rage, or helping children with anger problems. I’m here to help you regain control and find healthier ways to express your emotions.
What Causes Anger?
Anger is part of the body’s stress response. When we face a perceived threat or injustice, our body responds by releasing stress hormones like adrenaline, preparing us to fight or flee. This biological process leads to physical symptoms like increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and heightened alertness. While this is a normal part of the human experience, it’s important to recognise when these responses become overwhelming or out of control.
Anger can also arise from deeper emotional issues, such as unresolved grief, stress, trauma, or childhood experiences. For teenagers, anger might stem from peer pressure, academic stress, or feelings of insecurity. In children, anger can often be linked to frustration from not being able to express their feelings or unmet needs.
Primary vs Secondary Emotions
Anger can be a primary emotion, which means it arises naturally in response to a stimulus. However, anger can also be a secondary emotion, masking other deeper feelings like fear, hurt, or shame. For example, a teenager might feel angry because they are feeling left out, but deep down, they may be dealing with feelings of insecurity or sadness.
Learning to understand the root causes of anger is essential in addressing it effectively. As an experienced psychotherapist, I help clients uncover the emotions beneath their anger, allowing them to respond in more constructive ways.
Common Symptoms of Anger
If you’re wondering whether your anger is becoming a problem, here are some symptoms commonly searched by individuals online, showing that anger can affect both adults, teenagers, and children:
Emotional Symptoms of Anger:
- Irritability, feeling on edge
- Road rage, aggressive driving
- Explosive outbursts at family, work, or in public
- Constant frustration with people or situations
- Overreacting to small triggers
- Passive-aggressive behaviour (e.g., silent treatment, sarcasm)
- Shouting or swearing
- Feelings of guilt or regret after an outburst
- Low frustration tolerance, snapping at loved ones
- Frequent arguments with friends, family, colleagues
- Feeling misunderstood or unappreciated
Physical Anger Symptoms :
- Tightness in the chest or jaw
- Headaches, dizziness
- Sweating or a racing heart
- Hot flashes
- Stomach issues, such as nausea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders
- Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
Behavioural Anger Symptoms:
- Outbursts of violence, whether verbal or physical
- Isolation or withdrawing from people to avoid conflict
- Substance abuse as a coping mechanism for anger
- Bullying or other aggressive behaviours
- Destructive behaviour (throwing things, breaking objects)
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to seek help. These signs can indicate that anger is taking a toll on your health, relationships, and overall well-being.
Health Risks of Chronic Anger
Left unmanaged, chronic anger can lead to serious health problems, including:
- Heart disease and increased risk of cardiovascular issues and heart attacks
- High blood pressure
- Stroke and other cardiovascular issues
- Diabetes or difficulty managing blood sugar levels
- Mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, and addiction
- Sleep disorders, which can worsen irritability and stress
Anger management is essential for both adults and teenagers, as prolonged anger can have long-term consequences for both mental and physical health. Therapy and lifestyle changes can help you break this cycle.
When Anger is a Symptom of Another Condition
Sometimes anger can be a sign of an underlying condition. If anger feels disproportionate to the situation, or if it’s coupled with other emotional symptoms, it may indicate an untreated mental health disorder, such as:
- Anxiety disorders
- Bullying
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression, low mood
- Bipolar disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- Personality disorders
- Substance abuse
- Grief and unresolved loss
If anger is consistently a problem, it might be worth seeking professional support to explore underlying issues that could be contributing to it.
How to Manage Anger Healthily
Here are some practical, evidence-based techniques to help you manage anger in a healthy, constructive way:
1. Practice Self-Care
Eating well, getting enough sleep, and staying active are all essential components of managing anger. A healthy lifestyle gives your body the resilience it needs to handle stress and frustration without turning to anger.
2. Develop Self-Regulation Skills
Learning to manage your emotions and stress is key to anger management. Simple techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness can help you stay calm when anger arises.
3. Shift Your Perspective
Sometimes anger comes from misunderstanding or miscommunication. Practising empathy and trying to understand the other person’s point of view can help reduce anger and lead to better outcomes.
4. Communicate Assertively
Expressing your feelings calmly and clearly is a critical skill in anger management. Learning how to assert yourself without resorting to aggression helps reduce tension and prevents harm to relationships.
5. Seek Professional Support
If you’re struggling to control your anger, professional therapy can provide the space to be heard, and the tools you need to manage your emotions. Psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and nutrition Registered Nutritionist support are all highly effective ways to address anger at it’s source.
My Services: How I Can Help You, Your Teenager, or Your Child Manage Anger
As a Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Counsellor, and Psychotherapist, I offer a range of services to help you manage and express anger in healthy ways:
1. Counselling & Psychotherapy for Adults, Teenagers, and Children
Therapy helps uncover the root causes of your anger, whether it’s due to unresolved grief, stress, overwhelm or childhood trauma. Together, we’ll work on healthier ways to express anger, improve communication, and create a safe space to talk about difficult emotions.
2. Clinical Hypnotherapy for Anger Management for Adults, Teens and Children
Clinical hypnotherapy can help retrain your mind to respond differently to anger triggers. By accessing the subconscious mind, we can reduce stress, increase emotional resilience, and teach your body to remain calm in stressful situations.
3. Registered Nutritionist Support
What we eat has a direct impact on how we feel. As a Registered Nutritionist, I’ll help you understand how your diet impacts your mood and anger. We’ll explore blood sugar control, omega-3 supplementation, and gut health, all of which can play a role in regulating mood and reducing irritability.
Book Your Consultation Today
Whether you’re an adult, teenager, or parent seeking support for your child, I’m here to help. Online and in-person therapy appointments are available in Adare, Newcastle West, Midleton, Youghal, Cork, and Dungarvan.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Anger Management
- Sukhodolsky, D. G., et al. (2016). Behavioral Interventions for Anger, Irritability, and Aggression in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27265075/ - Anjanappa, S. (2020). Anger Management in Adolescents: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice.
https://journals.lww.com/iopn/fulltext/2020/17010/anger_management_in_adolescents__a_systematic.10.aspx - Zirkelbach, A. L. (2003). Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches to Anger Management for Children and Adolescents. University of Northern Iowa.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2824&context=grp - Kjærvik, S. L., et al. (2024). A Meta-Analytic Review of Anger Management Activities That Decrease or Increase Arousal. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735824000357 - Cecchi, L., et al. (2022). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anger Management in Adults and Children: A Review. Behavioral Therapy Journal.
https://www.journals.elsevier.com/behavior-therapy
Clinical Hypnotherapy for Anger Management
- Rosendahl, J., et al. (2024). Meta-Analytic Evidence on the Efficacy of Hypnosis for Mental Health Disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10807512/ - Delestre, F., et al. (2022). Hypnosis Reduces Food Impulsivity in Patients with Obesity. Physiology & Behavior.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000291652200288X - Leo, D. G., et al. (2024). “Close Your Eyes and Relax”: The Role of Hypnosis in Treating Anxiety and Cardiovascular Health.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11258040/ - Peter, B. (2024). Hypnosis in Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics, and Medicine.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11040694/ - Roslim, N. A., et al. (2021). Review: Hypnotherapy for Overweight and Obese Patients.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2095496420301229
Nutrition Therapy and Mental Health
- Firth, J., et al. (2020). Food and Mood: How Do Diet and Nutrition Affect Mental Health?.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7322666/ - Grajek, M., et al. (2022). Nutrition and Mental Health: A Review of Current Knowledge.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9441951/ - Adan, R. H., et al. (2019). Nutritional Psychiatry: Towards Improving Mental Health by What You Eat.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X19317237 - Heidari, M., et al. (2023). Influence of Food Type on Human Psychological and Behavioral Responses.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/17/3715 - Sperling, J. (2025). The Powerful Link Between Nutrition and Mental Health. McLean Hospital.
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/nutrition
Psychotherapy Techniques for Anger Management
- Byrne, G. (2024). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anger, Irritability, and Aggression.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/15248380231167393 - Kalvin, C. B., et al. (2025). Review: Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Childhood Irritability and Aggression.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949732924000176 - Irwin, L. (2003). Anger Management in the Treatment of Adolescents with Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
https://commons.und.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1091&context=ot-grad - Sharp, C., & Flanagan, C. (2012). Anger Management in Adolescents: A Systematic Review.
https://journals.lww.com/iopn/fulltext/2020/17010/anger_management_in_adolescents__a_systematic.10.aspx - Sukhodolsky, D. G., et al. (2016). Behavioral Interventions for Anger, Irritability, and Aggression in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27265075/
Additional Resources and Reviews
- Kalvin, C. B., et al. (2025). Review: Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Childhood Irritability and Aggression.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949732924000176 - Kjærvik, S. L., et al. (2024). A Meta-Analytic Review of Anger Management Activities That Decrease or Increase Arousal.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735824000357 - Adan, R. H., et al. (2019). Nutritional Psychiatry: Towards Improving Mental Health by What You Eat.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X19317237 - Peter, B. (2024). Hypnosis in Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics, and Medicine.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11040694/ - Raudino, A., et al. (2024). Anger and Irritability in Children: A Review of Mechanisms and Treatments.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10416723/