Unhealthy Coping

Are You Struggling With…

Life can feel overwhelming, and at times, we turn to unhealthy coping habits to get through difficult moments. If you find yourself stuck in negative coping patterns that leave you feeling worse over time, you’re not alone. Many people rely on short-term coping strategies that provide temporary relief but ultimately lead to increased stress, shame, and emotional disconnection. Breaking these cycles is possible with the right support.

You may notice yourself:

Turning to food, social media, or other distractions when emotions feel too big.
Avoiding responsibilities or relationships to escape discomfort.
Engaging in behaviors that temporarily numb feelings but leave you feeling guilty or stuck.
Repeating cycles you want to change, but don’t know how.

Does This Sound Like You?

Unhealthy coping mechanisms often show up quietly. Maybe you find yourself saying:

“I’ll just zone out on my phone for hours so I don’t have to think.”
“I know this isn’t helping, but I don’t know what else to do.”
“I want to stop this habit, but it feels impossible.”

If you’ve felt frustrated with yourself or worried that you can’t handle stress in a “healthy” way, therapy can provide support. These patterns don’t mean you’re broken—they’re signs that you’ve been trying to protect yourself without the right tools.

Unhealthy Coping Support at Evergreen Therapeutics

Get Started

“Take back your life .”

How We Can Help

In therapy, we’ll explore the underlying emotions and needs driving your coping patterns. Together, we’ll:

Identify what triggers your urge to turn to unhelpful behaviors.
Build new, healthier strategies for managing stress, emotions, and relationships.
Strengthen your resilience, self-compassion, and sense of control.
Create space for healing so you can feel more grounded, connected, and free.

You don’t have to face this alone. Support is here.

Why Work With Us?

Choosing to reach out for help takes courage, and we’re here to walk alongside you without judgment.

At our clinic, we provide a safe space where you can explore what’s driving your unhealthy coping mechanisms and build healthier ways of coping.

Our therapists bring compassion, expertise, and evidence-based approaches that support lasting change. We know recovery is not one-size-fits-all — together, we’ll create a plan that fits your needs, your pace, and your goals for the future.

Meet Our Therapist

Daniela Violo

M.A., Registered Psychotherapist
EMDR & Couples Therapist

Get Started

Unhealthy Coping FAQs

What are “unhealthy coping mechanisms”?

They’re habits or behaviors people use to manage stress, pain, or emotions that ultimately cause more harm than good. This might include avoidance, overworking, numbing, or excessive reliance on distractions.

Does having unhealthy coping mechanisms mean something is wrong with me?

Not at all. These patterns often develop as survival strategies. Therapy helps you understand why they show up and how to replace them with healthier tools.

Can therapy really help me change long-standing habits?

Yes. Change takes time, but with the right support you can unlearn unhelpful patterns and build sustainable coping skills. Therapy gives you a safe, non-judgmental space to practice and grow.

What kinds of therapy approaches do you use?

We draw on evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT, IFS, mindfulness, and more, depending on your needs. Together, we’ll find an approach that feels supportive and effective for you.