Emotional Disturbance Treatment & Evaluation in Austin and Surrounding Areas
Living with emotional disturbance can feel like you’re carrying a storm inside you — sometimes quiet, sometimes overwhelming, but always present. Many people think it’s simply “being overly sensitive” or “unable to control emotions,” but in reality, emotional disturbance is a complex mental health condition that affects how you think, feel, and interact with the world. With the right evaluation and treatment, you can move from feeling consumed by unpredictable emotions to feeling more stable, confident, and in control of your life.
Understanding Emotional Disturbance
Plain-English definition: Emotional disturbance refers to a pattern of emotional or behavioral responses that significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, or performance in work, school, or personal life.
How it often appears in adults:
Mood swings that seem out of proportion to events
Difficulty maintaining relationships
Intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anger that linger
Withdrawal from activities or people once enjoyed
Common symptoms and examples:
Persistent irritability or agitation
Trouble concentrating or following through on tasks
Avoidance of social situations due to emotional overload
Feeling emotionally “numb” or disconnected
Why it’s often missed or misunderstood: Many adults normalize or minimize these symptoms, thinking they’re “just stressed” or “going through a phase.” Without support, the emotional patterns can deepen and affect nearly every area of life.
My Diagnostic Process
Comprehensive intake — reviewing your emotional history, triggers, and daily impact
Evidence-based assessments — identifying underlying disorders such as depression, anxiety, or trauma-related conditions
Differential diagnosis — distinguishing emotional disturbance from other mental health conditions with overlapping symptoms
Personalized plan — not just a label — building a treatment approach aligned with your goals and lifestyle
Treatment Tailored to You
Psychotherapy to build coping skills and process emotional triggers
Medication management when needed to stabilize mood and reduce symptom intensity
Behavioral strategies for managing high-stress moments
Mindfulness and grounding techniques to increase emotional resilience
Ongoing adjustments to ensure your treatment evolves with your progress
Why My Practice is Different
Most online information about emotional disturbance is overly clinical or vague, offering little that’s actually usable day-to-day. My approach gives you both understanding and tangible tools so you can:
Recognize emotional patterns early
Use effective strategies before symptoms escalate
Build long-term stability instead of short-term fixes
Actionable insight: Try the “Pause–Name–Breathe” technique: When strong emotions rise, pause for a count of three, name the emotion (“I’m feeling frustrated”), and take one slow, deep breath. This creates space between the feeling and your response.
Emotional Disturbance Often Comes with Company
It’s common for emotional disturbance to coexist with depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, or personality disorders. Treating emotional disturbance effectively means addressing the full picture, not just one part.
Serving Austin and Beyond
I provide emotional disturbance treatment for clients in:
Austin, Barton Creek, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Bertram, Blanco, Briarcliff, Brushy Creek, Buda, Burnet, Cedar Park, Circle C, Creedmoor, Dripping Springs, Elgin, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Great Hills, Hays, Hutto, Jarrell, Johnson City, Jonestown, Jollyville, Kyle, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Marble Falls, Martindale, Meadowlakes, Mountain City, Mustang Ridge, New Braunfels, Niederwald, Pflugerville, Point Venture, River Place, Rollingwood, Round Rock, San Marcos, Smithville, Steiner Ranch, Sunset Valley, Taylor, The Domain, The Hills, Thrall, Volente, Webberville, Weir, West Lake Hills, Wimberley, Woodcreek, Zilker, and throughout all of Texas!