What is venting?
Life’s challenges can be overwhelming; everyone deserves a space to feel heard and supported. At Roamers Therapy, we provide trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and evidence-based environments to help you heal, grow, and navigate your mental well-being journey. As your psychotherapist, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
When we vent, we let something out. Oftentimes, we are letting out angry emotions. Venting might look like calling your friend on the phone to let out any frustrations you have over a fight you had with a partner. Or, you might be in therapy and may yell to your therapist about something bad that happened to you during the week. We vent because we feel pent up and we often find venting to be helpful. But, what is venting actually? Venting is a form of displacement – it is merely taking your anger/frustrations and letting them out in a safe space.
How does venting affect me?
We often vent because we find it to be helpful. If we get angry at our supervisor, we may find that venting (or letting out steam) to a coworker might make us feel better to express those frustrations. While venting may feel good in the moment, it may not actually be as helpful in the long run. This is because when we vent, we don’t actually process any of the emotions we are feeling. Oftentimes, we end up feeling worse because venting actually causes an increase in stress and anger.
Find the Best Therapist in Chicago to Process Anger in a Healthier Way
For better, long term outcomes regarding anger, it’s important to learn how to process them. Rather than venting, try cooling yourself down. This might include stepping away from the situation and going for a walk, practicing breathing, or calming yourself down in another way. Next, try to reflect on the situation by considering alternative perspectives (i.e., viewing things from the other person’s point of view). Finally, learn productive ways of processing stress. This can include exercising, doing art, journaling, going for a walk, talking to a friend, or seeing a therapist. It’s also helpful to understand the underlying emotion you are feeling, which can be hurt, disrespected, betrayed, violated, and many others.
At Roamers Therapy, our psychotherapists are here to support you through anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship issues, race-ethnicity issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, ADHD, Autism, or any challenges you encounter. Our psychotherapists are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Gottman Therapy.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on a specific issue or need help navigating difficult emotions, we’re ready to assist you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule a session with our mental health professionals to begin your healing journey. To get started with therapy, visit our booking page.
First, decide if you’ll be paying out-of-pocket or using insurance. If you’re a self-pay client, you can book directly through the “Book Now” page or fill out the “Self-Pay/Out-of-network Inquiry Form.” If you’re using insurance, fill out the “Insurance Verification Form” to receive details about your costs and availability. Please let us know your preferred therapist. If your preferred therapist isn’t available, you can join the waitlist by emailing us. Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive intake documents to complete before your first session.
This page is also part of the Roamers Therapy Glossary; a collection of mental-health related definitions that are written by our therapists.
While our offices are currently located at the South Loop neighborhood of Downtown Chicago, Illinois, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more. You can visit our contact page to access detailed information on our office location.