By: Yvette Triana LMHC
Not long ago, a client in my New Port Richey office shared, “I feel like I’m drowning in stress. No matter what I do, my emotions run the show.” That sense of being pulled under by our own feelings is something many people know all too well. When stress builds—whether from work, family demands, or unexpected challenges—it can feel as though emotions have taken the driver’s seat, leaving us clinging to the wheel.
At Caliper Wellness, I specialize in helping people regain balance and control over their emotions. One of the most effective tools I use is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, often called ACT. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on eliminating stress, ACT helps people relate to their thoughts and emotions differently. The goal is not to banish difficult feelings but to stop letting them dictate every decision.
ACT teaches that emotions will always show up—sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly—but we can choose how we respond. For example, one client noticed that when she was overwhelmed, she would snap at her children and later feel consumed by guilt. Through ACT, she practiced pausing to acknowledge her internal experience by saying to herself, “I’m noticing that I’m having the thought I can’t handle this.” That small shift allowed her to step back, gain perspective, and choose a calmer response. Over time, these mindful pauses created a ripple effect of greater patience, clarity, and control.
Living in New Port Richey, stressors are woven into daily life. Between heavy traffic on US-19, balancing careers with caregiving responsibilities, and navigating the lingering impact of hurricanes, it is no wonder so many people feel emotionally drained. Therapy offers something rare in the middle of all this noise: a space to pause, breathe, and think clearly. Many of my clients describe therapy as finally being able to hear their own voice again after months—or years—of being drowned out by stress.
The beauty of ACT is that it grounds us in the present moment. By accepting that uncomfortable feelings are part of being human, defusing from thoughts that pull us into panic, and reconnecting with what truly matters, we regain the ability to steer our lives in meaningful directions. Emotional regulation becomes less about forcing control and more about choosing alignment with our values.
For those who want to begin this journey on their own, there are excellent resources to explore. The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris offers a down-to-earth guide to ACT techniques that can be applied to everyday stress. The Headspace app provides guided mindfulness practices that complement ACT’s emphasis on awareness and acceptance. Psychology Tools offers free ACT worksheets online that make these skills easy to practice at home.
If you have been feeling like your emotions are running your life, know that support is available. At Caliper Wellness, we specialize in helping people in New Port Richey and surrounding areas build resilience, regulate emotions, and find peace in the middle of life’s challenges. Therapy is a chance to step out of the storm and reconnect with yourself in a way that feels steady and empowering.
Are you ready to take back control of your emotions? I invite you to reach out to Caliper Wellness today to schedule your first session. Whether you prefer in-person therapy in New Port Richey or the convenience of telehealth, we can work together to help you find calm, clarity, and confidence again.