Aggression can be a complex and challenging issue — whether it’s expressed through anger, irritability, or impulsive outbursts. One common question people have is: How long does aggression last? The answer depends on a range of personal and situational factors, but the good news is that aggressive behaviour doesn’t have to be permanent — and psychotherapy in Kitchener and Waterloo at CARESPACE can make a big difference.
What Affects the Duration of Aggression?
Aggression can be short-lived or long-standing, depending on what’s fueling it. For some, it may be triggered by recent life stressors or difficult relationships. For others, it may be rooted in deeper experiences such as trauma, unresolved grief, or long-term mental health conditions.
The intensity, frequency, and triggers of aggressive behaviour all play a role in how long it lasts. If the cause is situational or short-term, aggression may ease up on its own or with minor lifestyle changes. But if it’s tied to deeper emotional patterns or long-standing habits, it may persist — unless actively addressed.
How Psychotherapy Can Help
At CARESPACE, our therapists work with you to understand the underlying causes of your aggression and help you develop healthier ways to cope and respond to it, so you don’t have to feel the need to push through aggression. Depending on your needs, we may use approaches such as:
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – to identify thought patterns that lead to aggressive responses
Mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques – to manage emotional reactions in the moment
Psychodynamic therapy – to explore and resolve deeper emotional roots of anger
Behavioural strategies – to create new, more adaptive habits over time
While there’s no set timeline for change, many clients begin to feel more in control of their emotions within a few weeks or months of consistent therapy. Progress depends on individual commitment, the severity of the aggression, and the willingness to engage in the process between sessions.
Healing Takes Time — But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
If aggressive behaviour is affecting your relationships, work, or well-being, psychotherapy offers a safe space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface — and to build the tools to change it. At CARESPACE, we take a personalized and collaborative approach to help you manage aggression in a healthy and sustainable way.
You don’t have to stay stuck in patterns of anger or reactivity. With the right support and strategies, real progress is possible.
