Understanding Your Teen’s Emotional Outbursts: What a Teen Therapist in Roswell, GA Wants Parents to Know
If you're a parent of a teenager, chances are you've witnessed at least one emotional outburst that left you feeling overwhelmed, helpless, or just plain confused. One moment, everything seems fine — and the next, your teen is slamming doors, shouting, or retreating into silence. It can feel personal, even alarming. But here's the good news: you're not alone, and your teen’s emotional ups and downs are more than just “teen drama.” There’s real science behind it.
As a teen therapist in Roswell, GA, I often hear parents say, “I just don’t recognize my child anymore.” Adolescence brings about a whirlwind of changes — physically, socially, and emotionally — and understanding what’s going on in your teen’s brain can go a long way in easing family tensions.
The Adolescent Brain: Under Construction
To begin understanding your teen’s emotional outbursts, we need to take a look at their brain development. Dr. Dan Siegel, a clinical professor of psychiatry and co-author of The Whole-Brain Child, describes the adolescent brain as a “work in progress.” While the emotional centers of the brain (like the amygdala) are highly active during the teen years, the prefrontal cortex — the area responsible for reasoning, decision-making, and impulse control — is still developing well into the mid-20s.
What does this mean for your teen? It means that their ability to regulate intense emotions isn't fully developed yet. They may feel things deeply and react quickly, but they don’t yet have the internal tools to calm themselves down or think through the consequences.
The Upstairs and Downstairs Brain
In The Whole-Brain Child, Dr. Siegel and co-author Dr. Tina Payne Bryson introduce a helpful metaphor: the brain as a house with an “upstairs” and “downstairs.” The downstairs brain includes the brainstem and limbic system, which are responsible for basic functions and emotional responses — fight, flight, freeze. The upstairs brain includes the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that helps with logic, empathy, and self-regulation.
When a teen has an emotional outburst, their downstairs brain takes over. The upstairs brain — the part we parents usually try to reason with — is essentially “offline.” Trying to lecture or discipline your teen in the heat of the moment may feel like talking to a locked door. Instead, connection and co-regulation are key.
What You Can Do as a Parent
Here are a few strategies, rooted in Siegel’s work, that can help you support your teen through emotional outbursts:
1. Connect Before You Correct
In the moment of an outburst, prioritize connection over correction. Your teen may be in “survival mode,” driven by stress, fear, or frustration. Calm presence — even if they aren’t calm — helps them feel safe. Try using a calm tone, open body language, and simple phrases like:
“I can see you’re really upset right now.”
“I’m here. Let’s take a breath together.”
Once your teen’s nervous system has settled, their upstairs brain becomes more accessible — and that’s when meaningful conversations can happen.
2. Name It to Tame It
This is another principle from The Whole-Brain Child. When your teen is able to name their emotion — “I’m angry,” “I feel embarrassed,” or “I’m overwhelmed” — it activates the upstairs brain and begins to bring emotional regulation online. You can support this by gently helping them put words to what they’re experiencing:
“That sounded really frustrating. Is that how you’re feeling?”
Over time, this builds emotional intelligence and gives teens a better internal vocabulary for handling big feelings.
3. Model Regulation
Your teen is watching how you handle stress — even if they roll their eyes while doing it. Modeling healthy emotional regulation, especially when things get tense, gives your teen a roadmap for managing their own emotions. This might mean pausing to take a breath before responding, expressing your own feelings calmly, or even saying:
“I’m feeling frustrated right now, so I’m going to take a moment before we keep talking.”
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being human — and showing your teen that self-regulation is a skill worth practicing.
4. Build the Brain Over Time
Dan Siegel emphasizes that the brain is like a muscle — and we can strengthen it through practice. Encourage your teen to engage in activities that promote “upstairs brain” development, like mindfulness, journaling, movement, creativity, and meaningful social connection. Teen counseling in Roswell, GA, can also be a valuable space where teens learn coping skills, emotional awareness, and strategies to regulate themselves more effectively.
When to Seek Help from a Teen Therapist
Some emotional outbursts are typical and developmentally appropriate. But if your teen’s reactions are persistent, extreme, or interfere with daily functioning — such as school, friendships, or family life — it may be time to seek support from a teen therapist.
At Renovating Hope Counseling in Roswell, GA, I work with teens and families to decode these emotional storms and create calmer, more connected relationships. Teen therapy offers a safe space for teens to explore what’s behind their feelings — and equips parents with tools to respond with empathy and confidence.
Final Thoughts from a Teen Therapist in Roswell
Your teen isn’t broken — they’re growing. Their brain is learning how to handle an increasingly complex world. Emotional outbursts aren’t just behavior problems to fix, but signals asking for understanding and support.
As parents, when we shift from reacting to responding — from controlling to connecting — we lay the foundation for long-term emotional health and a stronger parent-teen relationship.
If you're in the Roswell area and looking for support, you're not alone. Teen therapy can be a powerful resource for both your teen and your family as you navigate these years with intention, compassion, and clarity.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone—Learn More About Teen Therapy in Roswell, GA
Big emotions and sudden outbursts can leave even the most patient parents feeling overwhelmed. But behind every reaction is a need your teen may not yet know how to express. Working with a teen therapist in Roswell, GA, can help bridge the gap, creating space for growth, communication, and understanding on both sides.
Here’s how to take the first step:
Schedule a free consultation to talk through what your teen is experiencing and how therapy can help.
Book an initial teen counseling session and begin building a supportive plan that addresses emotional regulation.
Watch your teen begin to thrive with guidance that helps them feel heard, supported, and more in control of their inner world.
Other Services to Support Families in Roswell, GA
In addition to our teen counseling services in Roswell, GA, we offer a wide range of integrative therapies designed to support individuals and families through life’s transitions, challenges, and growth. Our caring clinicians provide individual therapy, child counseling, and family support to foster emotional resilience and strengthen relationships at home.
For couples, we offer relationship and marriage counseling focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and deepening connection. Clients recovering from trauma benefit from our trauma-informed approach, which prioritizes safety, empowerment, and healing.
Our practice also supports those navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, body image/disordered eating concerns, and women’s emotional health. For clients seeking more specialized care, we provide brainspotting, faith-based Christian counseling, virtual therapy, functional nutrition services, and sports performance coaching—creating a personalized, whole-person approach that nurtures both mind and body.
About the Author: A Therapist Who Works with Teens in Roswell, GA
Kristen Shoemaker is a devoted therapist passionate about helping teens and families navigate life’s challenges with empathy and understanding. Married for over 20 years and a mother of four, she finds balance through quality time with her family, time spent in nature, and meaningful travel. Her favorite getaways include the serene beaches of Kiawah Island and the breathtaking views of the Grand Tetons.
At home, Kristen enjoys the companionship of her two dogs—Pippin the goldendoodle and Winston the Cavapoo—who never fail to add joy to her day. When she’s not working with clients, she can often be found gardening, staying active outdoors, or gathered around the table for a board game night with her family.