Anger Management Counseling for Teens & Young Adults in Fort Wayne, IN
A slammed door. A text you wish you could unsend. A fight that started over nothing and ended with everyone hurt. Anger usually isn't the real problem. It's the alarm that goes off when something underneath, like stress, hurt, fear, or exhaustion, has nowhere else to go.
Anger management counseling at Unwilted Counseling helps teens and young adults (ages 13-25) understand what is driving their anger and build real emotional control. That means fewer blowups, fewer regrets, and relationships that feel safer again. This isn't about being told to "calm down." It's about finally understanding why you can't, and changing that.
If anger mostly shows up as acting before thinking, Teen Impulsivity Therapy may also help. If it's part of feeling every emotion at full volume, see Emotion Regulation Counseling. This page focuses on anger itself: outbursts, irritability, and anger that's been held in too long.
For Parents: When Your Teen's Anger Feels Out of Control
Ages 13-25 • In-Person in Fort Wayne • Virtual Across Indiana & Eligible Parts of Ohio
It's hard to parent through constant conflict. Some teen irritability is normal. But when anger starts running the household, it's a sign your teen needs more support than a consequence can give. Watch for:
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Outbursts that are bigger than the situation, then shame or shutting down afterward
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Yelling, swearing, slamming doors, or breaking things when frustrated
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Constant irritability that looks like "attitude" but may be stress, anxiety, or low mood
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Trouble at school, such as arguments with teachers, detentions, or fights with peers
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Everyone at home "walking on eggshells" to avoid setting them off
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Anger that started or got worse after a loss, a move, a breakup, or a hard experience
You are not alone in this. In a large national survey of U.S. adolescents, about 63% reported at least one serious anger attack in their lifetime. Yet only 6.5% of teens with a diagnosable anger disorder received treatment specifically for anger (McLaughlin et al., 2012). Anger in teens is common, and it is also very treatable.
When it's clinically appropriate and your teen agrees, parents can be part of the work. To focus on the relationship itself, see Parent-Teen Relationship Counseling.
What Is Anger Management Counseling?
Anger management counseling is one-on-one therapy that helps you understand what triggers your anger and what sits underneath it, then teaches you how to respond instead of react. Anger itself is a normal, healthy emotion. It tells you a boundary was crossed or something feels unfair. It becomes a problem when it's too frequent, too intense, or expressed in ways that hurt you or the people around you.
At Unwilted Counseling, this is individual therapy, not a class or a lecture. Sessions are built around your own triggers, history, and goals.
Two Ways Anger Shows Up
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Anger that explodes: yelling, outbursts, throwing or breaking things, saying things you don't mean, road rage, or fights that escalate fast.
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Anger that's held in: constant irritability, resentment, sarcasm, shutting down, people-pleasing until you snap, or anger turned inward as self-criticism.
Both patterns are worth treating. Many of the young people we work with appear calm and capable on the outside while carrying a lot of anger they've never been allowed to express safely.
Signs Your Anger Is Costing You More Than It Should
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Anger becomes a problem when it starts taking things from you. If several of this sound familiar, therapy can help:
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You've lost friendships, a relationship, or a job because of how you reacted
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Small things, like a slow driver or a sibling's comment, set you off fast
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You feel the anger in your body: a hot face, clenched jaw, racing heart, or shaking hands
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You say or text things in the moment that you regret later
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Grades, sports, or work are suffering because of conflict or suspensions
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You feel guilty or ashamed after an outburst but can't stop the next one
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People seem nervous around you or avoid bringing things up
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You hold everything in until it all comes out at once
What's Really Underneath the Anger?
Anger is often called a "secondary emotion" because it tends to protect something more vulnerable. Anger management counseling works best when it treats that root cause, not just the outburst. Common drivers in teens and young adults include:
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Anxiety and stress: an overloaded nervous system has less room to stay calm. See Anxiety Counseling.
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Depression: in teens, depression often shows up as irritability rather than sadness. See Depression & Mood Disorder Counseling.
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Trauma and hard past experiences: a body that learned to stay on guard can react to small threats as if they were big ones. See Trauma Therapy and Complex Trauma Therapy.
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ADHD and executive function struggles: frustration builds fast when focus, time, and follow-through are a daily fight. See ADHD Counseling.
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Hurt in relationships: breakups, family conflict, or feeling unheard. See Relationship Counseling.
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Shame and self-esteem: anger can cover feeling "not good enough." See Self-Esteem & Identity Counseling.
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Learned patterns: if conflict at home was loud or unsafe, explosive anger may be the only model you were shown.
What Anger Management Counseling Can Change for You
The goal isn't to never feel angry again. The goal is for anger to stop costing you relationships, opportunities, and peace of mind. Here's what working with Unwilted Counseling looks like:
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You'll understand your own pattern. We map your triggers, early warning signs, and what the anger is protecting, so it stops feeling random.
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You'll get skills you can use in the moment. You'll practice grounding, pausing, and de-escalation tools until they work at school, at work, or mid-argument.
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You'll repair what anger has strained. Therapy helps you communicate needs and set boundaries before frustration builds to a blowup.
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The root cause gets treated too. If anxiety, trauma, depression, or ADHD is feeding the anger, that is part of the plan from day one.
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No judgment, no lectures. Healing comes from being understood, not fixed. You won't be treated like "the angry one."
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Same therapist, every session. As a solo practice, there's no retelling your story to a new provider.
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Flexible access. Meet in person in Fort Wayne or online from home or campus, whichever fits your week.
What that can mean day to day: calmer evenings at home, fewer school or work consequences, friendships that last, and more confidence that you can handle hard moments.
Our Approach to Anger Counseling
Treatment is personalized, trauma-informed, and relational. Approaches are chosen based on your needs and readiness, not used as a one-size-fits-all formula:
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Cognitive and skills-based strategies (CBT-informed): spotting the thoughts that fuel anger, such as "they did that on purpose," and testing them before they turn into actions.
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DBT-informed skills: practical tools for tolerating distress, slowing down intense emotion, and communicating needs clearly.
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Emotion-focused therapy: getting underneath the anger to the hurt, fear, or shame it's protecting, and learning to express those feelings directly.
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IFS-informed work: understanding the "angry part" as a protector with a job to do, rather than as who you are.
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EMDR: when past experiences keep the nervous system on high alert, EMDR can help process them so present-day triggers lose their charge.
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Body-based awareness: noticing the physical warning signs of anger early, while there's still time to choose a response.
Learn more about our Emotionally Focused & Relational and Trauma-Informed & Integrative approach.
Meet Your Therapist:
Destina Rekeweg, LMHC
You'll work directly with Destina Rekeweg, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Indiana who focuses on teens and young adults ages 13-25. She holds a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is EMDR trained, with IFS-informed and emotion-focused training. She is also trained in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).
Destina has supported young people in community mental health and social service settings since 2019. Her work centers on clients who look like they're handling everything on the outside but feel overwhelmed underneath, which is often where anger comes from.
In-Person and Virtual Anger Counseling
Sessions are available in person in Fort Wayne or online across Indiana and eligible parts of Ohio through the Counseling Compact. You can also combine both.
In-person counseling in Fort Wayne: a private, comfortable office at 3514 Stellhorn Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46815, with free parking. We serve clients from Fort Wayne, Allen County, New Haven, Huntertown, and Leo-Cedarville.
Virtual counseling: secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual therapy by video. There's nothing to download, and sessions are never recorded. It's a good fit for college students, busy schedules, or anyone who'd rather talk from home.
What to Expect: Treatment Timeline
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Weeks 1-4: assessment, mapping your anger triggers and warning signs, and first in-the-moment calming skills.
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Weeks 5-12: practicing de-escalation and communication skills in real situations, and starting work on underlying drivers.
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Weeks 13-20: deeper work on root causes, repairing relationships, and making new responses more automatic.
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Beyond 20 weeks: maintenance, with sessions spaced out as you feel steadier.
Note: timelines vary based on your goals, what's driving the anger, and consistency with sessions.
Getting Started Is Simple
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Free consultation (15 minutes): a no-pressure phone call to talk about what's going on and see if we're a good fit.
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Initial assessment (50 minutes): we explore your history, triggers, and goals, and build your personalized plan.
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Ongoing sessions (50 minutes): usually weekly to start, then spaced out as progress holds.
Call or text (260) 255-6432, or request a consultation online. We respond within 24 business hours.
Investing in Anger Management Counseling
Unwilted Counseling is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance. That keeps treatment guided by clinical need, not by what an insurance plan will authorize. Superbills are available for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and HSA/FSA cards are accepted.
Fees and Payment
Unwilted Counseling is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. Clients may use out-of-network benefits for possible reimbursement, and documentation can be provided for that purpose.
Service | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Initial intake assessment | 50 min | $160 |
Ongoing session | 50 min | $135 |
Intensive session | 75 min | $202.50 |
Intensive session | 100 min | $270 |
Intensive session | 150 min | $405 |
Good Faith Estimate: Clients paying privately have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected costs of care. You may request this prior to scheduling. See our full fees and policies page.
Related Services
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Emotion Regulation Counseling: when every emotion feels intense, not just anger
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Teen Impulsivity Therapy: when acting before thinking leads to conflict
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Self-Harm & Emotional Regulation Therapy: when anger is turned inward
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Anxiety & Depression Therapy: when irritability comes with worry or low mood
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Teen Relationship & Breakup Counseling: when anger follows a breakup or relationship hurt
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Parent-Teen Relationship Counseling: when conflict at home is the main concern
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Teens & Young Adults Counseling: our full approach for ages 13-25
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Individual Therapy: personalized one-on-one support for overall mental health
Frequently Asked Questions
About Anger Management Counseling
Anger management counseling is individual therapy built around your specific triggers and the root causes of your anger. A class teaches general skills to a group. Unwilted Counseling offers one-on-one counseling, which can also address anxiety, trauma, or depression that may be feeding the anger.
Some irritability is a normal part of adolescence. It becomes a concern when outbursts are frequent, out of proportion, or causing problems at home, school, or in friendships. A national study found that about 63% of U.S. adolescents had at least one serious anger attack in their lifetime, so you are far from alone.
Sudden outbursts are often driven by something underneath the anger, such as stress, anxiety, depression, past trauma, ADHD-related frustration, or hurt in relationships. Lack of sleep and feeling unheard can also lower the threshold. Counseling helps identify your specific drivers.
Yes. In teens especially, depression often looks like irritability rather than sadness, and anxiety can make the nervous system quick to react. Treating the underlying condition often reduces anger significantly.
Many clients begin using in-the-moment calming skills within the first few weeks. Deeper change, such as addressing root causes and repairing relationships, often takes a few months of consistent weekly sessions. Timelines vary from person to person.
Yes, when it's clinically appropriate and the teen consents. For ages 13-17, parents typically join briefly at intake and receive general progress updates, while specific session details stay private except for safety concerns.
Yes. Secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual sessions are available for clients located in Indiana, and in eligible parts of Ohio through the Counseling Compact. In-person sessions are offered in Fort Wayne.
No. Unwilted Counseling is a private-pay practice. Ongoing 50-minute sessions are $135 and the initial assessment is $160. Superbills are available for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and HSA/FSA cards are accepted.
Good Faith Estimate: Clients paying privately have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected costs of care. You may request this prior to scheduling.
Take the First Step Toward Calmer Days!
You are not "just an angry person," and your teen isn't either. Anger is a signal, and with the right support it can become something you understand and control. Anger management counseling gives you the space to figure out what's underneath and the tools to respond the way you actually want to. Call or text (260) 255-6432 or request your free consultation.
