Specialties · Plano office and Texas telehealth
Help for kids and teens whose anger comes out as outbursts, defiance, or shutting down. We help them understand the feeling and handle it better.
In person or online
Plano office, Texas telehealth
Evidence-based
research-backed approaches
At a glance
Anger is a normal emotion and a signal that something feels wrong, unfair or overwhelming. For kids who don’t yet have the words or tools to cope, it can come out as outbursts, defiance or withdrawal. Often it is covering worry, sadness or embarrassment. Therapy helps children and teens understand what is underneath and handle it better.
Typical frustration
Time for support
Now and then, usually with a clear reason
Most days, often over small things
Settles within minutes
Takes a long time, or the outburst keeps building
Raised voice, slammed door
Hurtful words, breaking things or hurting others
Mostly in one place, like homework time
At home, at school and with friends
Can talk it through
Shame, shutting down or blaming everyone else
Anxiety can look like anger. Read When child worry isn’t normal anymore.
On this page
Overview
When your child’s anger takes over, home can start to feel like a minefield. Maybe small things set off big explosions, homework time ends in yelling, or your teen slams the door and won’t talk. You’re not a bad parent, and your child isn’t a bad kid. Anger usually means something underneath needs attention.
At Layers Counseling Specialists, we help children and teens understand what’s behind their anger and learn healthier ways to handle it. We work with families at our Plano office and online across Texas.
Anger is a normal emotion. It’s a signal that something feels wrong, unfair, or overwhelming. For kids who don’t yet have the words or tools to cope, it can come out as outbursts, defiance, or withdrawal. Often it’s covering other feelings, like worry, sadness, or embarrassment.
We go beyond managing behavior. We help kids understand their feelings and build skills that last, using play therapy for younger children, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for older kids and teens, and art and movement along the way.
Who it's for
Frequent outbursts, constant irritability, or trouble handling frustration.
Pressure at school, friendship problems, or bullying that shows up as anger at home.
Constant pushback, aggression, or power struggles that leave everyone exhausted.
Worry, fear, or perfectionism that comes out as anger or shutting down.
Divorce, grief, a move, or a new school.
Children with ADHD or autism who need support with regulation and social skills.
We help kids understand their feelings and build skills that last, using play therapy for younger children and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for older kids and teens.
Kids learn what sparks angry feelings and what their body does just before an outburst.
Practical tools for slowing down, like breathing, movement and a plan for hard moments.
Kids practice putting feelings into words so they can ask for help without exploding.
We help families rebuild trust at home after hard days.
We blend proven methods with games, art and movement so therapy feels doable for kids. Parents learn strategies to use at home, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills help teens handle big feelings.
Why Layers
We blend proven methods with games, art, and movement, so therapy feels doable for kids.
Your child learns coping skills, and you learn strategies to use at home, so the progress sticks.
Jessica Morales, LPC-Associate, is warm and patient, and she’s good at helping kids feel safe enough to talk about what’s really going on.
A 15-minute video call with the therapist. Ask about their approach, scheduling and fees. Most people start within about a week.
Fifty minutes on when the anger shows up, what usually sets it off and what you have tried.
Early sessions build trust through play or conversation, depending on age.
Your child starts learning calming skills, and you get a plan for the hardest moments.
Who you'll work with
Read about each therapist’s experience and approach to care.
Jessica, who has ADHD herself, offers neurodiversity-affirming care for ADHD, autism, and trauma, plus AutPlay for kids, in sensory-friendly sessions without forced eye contact.
jessica-morales
https://layerscounselingspecialists.clientsecure.me/request/date?clinicianId=1667142¤tTimeZone=America%2FChicago&preselected=true
Waitlist
Book a free consult
Alesha uses play therapy, AutPlay, and sandtray to help neurodivergent kids and teens handle big feelings, with sensory friendly sessions and parents as partners.
alesha-mizeur
https://layerscounselingspecialists.clientsecure.me/request/date?clinicianId=2158053¤tTimeZone=America%2FChicago&preselected=true
Accepting new clients
Book a free consultSome anger is a normal part of growing up. When outbursts happen most days, last a long time or hurt others, it is worth getting support.
No. We see behavior as communication, and we work on what is underneath, like worry, frustration or sensory overload.
Yes. Parents learn strategies to use at home, so progress continues between sessions.
We work with children and teens. Younger kids usually do play therapy, and older kids and teens use CBT and DBT skills.
Yes. Sessions happen at our Plano office or by secure video from anywhere in Texas. Younger children often do best in person in our playroom.
We are private pay, so nothing goes through your insurance unless you choose to submit it. We can give you a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and HSA and FSA cards work.
Next step
A free 15-minute video call with the clinician you want to work with. Ask anything about their approach, scheduling, or fees before you commit.
