Anger Management Therapy in Orlando, FL
Real tools to understand what’s driving your anger—and respond instead of react. In person in Orlando and by secure telehealth across Florida, with Artie Gately, LMHC.
Anger isn’t the enemy
Anger gets a bad reputation. But anger itself isn’t the problem—it’s usually a signal that something underneath isn’t being heard: a boundary that got crossed, a need that went unmet, stress that’s been quietly building for months. The problem is what happens when anger takes over—the outburst you regret, the relationship it strains, the version of yourself you don’t recognize afterward.
Anger management therapy isn’t about suppressing what you feel or “just calming down.” It’s about understanding what your anger is telling you and building the skills to respond on your terms—so you’re in control of it, instead of the other way around.
Is it everyday anger, or something more?
Everyone gets angry. The difference that matters is proportionality: everyday anger fits its cause and fades. But for some people, the reaction is far bigger than the trigger—a small criticism or a traffic delay sets off an explosion that surprises everyone, including you.
If several of these sound familiar, it may be worth talking with a professional:
- Outbursts that feel way out of proportion to what set them off
- A fast build of tension or pressure right before you “lose it”
- Reactions that feel impossible to control in the moment
- A wave of relief during or right after—followed by guilt, shame, or regret
- Anger that’s strained relationships, hurt your work, or landed you in trouble
- It happens often—not just once in a blue moon
This isn’t a diagnosis—only a licensed clinician can determine that. But recognizing the pattern is a real first step. When outbursts are frequent, impulsive, and disproportionate, they can point to a diagnosable condition called intermittent explosive disorder (IED).
What is intermittent explosive disorder (IED)?
Intermittent explosive disorder is a recognized mental health condition—an impulse-control disorder marked by repeated, sudden episodes of aggression that are grossly out of proportion to the situation. It’s not a character flaw or a willpower problem, and it’s more common than most people realize (research estimates it affects roughly 2–7% of adults).
IED is different from general anger issues in specific ways: the outbursts are impulsive (not planned), disproportionate to the trigger, and often followed by remorse. It also frequently travels with other conditions—many people with IED also live with depression, anxiety, ADHD, or the effects of past trauma—which is why a thorough, whole-person approach matters.
The encouraging part: IED responds well to structured therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most-studied and effective approach—helping you catch the physical tension that builds before an outburst and choose a different response before it fires.
A note on medication: in some cases medication (such as an SSRI) is added alongside therapy, prescribed and managed by a medical provider. As a licensed mental health counselor, Artie provides the therapy; if medication makes sense for you, he can help coordinate a referral.
How anger management therapy helps
We start by getting curious instead of critical—looking at what’s actually driving the anger, not just the moments it boils over. From there, therapy gives you concrete, usable tools:
- Recognizing your early warning signs—the body cues that come before an outburst
- Understanding your specific triggers and the patterns underneath them
- Practical de-escalation and response skills you can use in real time
- Working through the deeper stuff—stress, old wounds, unmet needs—so the pressure has somewhere to go besides an explosion
Whether you’re here on your own, because someone you love asked you to, or because it’s court- or work-mandated, the goal is the same: real change you can feel—not just a certificate.
Court-ordered or work-mandated anger management
If you’ve been required to complete anger management for a court, an employer, or another program, we can help. We provide documentation of your participation, and we treat you with the same respect and genuine care as any other client—no judgment, no shame.
Insurance & cost
In-network with Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Transparent self-pay rates available too.
Serving Orlando & all of Florida
In person at our Orlando office (545 N Mills Ave.) and by secure telehealth anywhere in Florida. Serving Orlando and nearby—Winter Park, College Park, Maitland, Lake Nona, and Baldwin Park.
Anger often doesn’t travel alone
Anger frequently shows up alongside depression, anxiety, or ADHD. If that’s part of your picture, we treat those too—therapy for depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
Frequently asked questions
Is it anger, or intermittent explosive disorder (IED)?
The main difference is proportionality and control. Everyday anger fits its cause and passes. IED involves repeated, impulsive outbursts that are far bigger than the trigger, feel hard to control, and are often followed by regret. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose IED—but if that pattern sounds familiar, it’s worth a conversation.
Can therapy actually treat intermittent explosive disorder?
Yes. Structured therapy—especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—is the most effective, best-studied treatment for IED. It helps you catch the tension that builds before an outburst and respond differently before it takes over.
Do you diagnose IED?
We can talk through your symptoms and, where appropriate, work toward an assessment—but a formal diagnosis is a careful clinical process, and some symptoms overlap with other conditions. We won’t slap a label on you; we’ll help you understand what’s really going on.
Do you offer court-ordered or work-mandated anger management?
Yes. We work with court-ordered, work-mandated, and self-referred clients, and can provide documentation of your participation.
How long does anger management therapy take?
It depends on your goals. Some people come for a focused stretch of skills-building; others go deeper into the roots of the anger. We’ll set a plan that fits your situation.
Do you take insurance?
Yes—we’re in-network with Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, with self-pay rates available.
Is it available by telehealth?
Yes. Anger management therapy is available by secure telehealth anywhere in Florida, or in person in Orlando.
If you’re ever in crisis, or worried you might hurt yourself or someone else, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) right away.
Anger doesn’t have to run the show. Let’s change that.
Reach out for a conversation—no pressure, no judgment, just a real first step.
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