Bullying is a distressing experience that can have lasting effects on a child’s mental health, self-esteem, and confidence. Whether it happens in person or online, bullying can leave children feeling isolated, anxious, or even unsafe. If your child is experiencing bullying, the right support can help them process their emotions, rebuild their confidence, and develop strategies to navigate these difficult situations.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is intentional, repeated, and harmful behavior that can take many forms, including:
- Physical bullying: Hitting, pushing, or damaging belongings.
- Verbal bullying: Name-calling, threats, or spreading rumors.
- Social bullying: Exclusion, humiliation, or manipulation.
- Cyberbullying: Harassment, threats, or public shaming online or through social media.
Bullying can make children feel powerless and lead to long-term emotional distress if not addressed.
Signs Your Child May Be Experiencing Bullying
Not all children openly talk about being bullied, but some signs to look out for include:
- Sudden changes in mood, increased anxiety, or low self-esteem.
- Avoiding school or social activities they previously enjoyed.
- Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, or physical symptoms like stomach aches or headaches.
- Unexplained loss of personal items, torn clothes, or bruises.
- Becoming withdrawn, irritable, or more emotional than usual.
- Spending excessive time online or suddenly avoiding social media altogether.
How Therapy Can Help with Bullying
As a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, I take a strengths-based approach that integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and mindfulness techniquesto help children and teens recover from bullying and regain their sense of self-worth.
Here’s how therapy can support your child:
- Building Emotional Resilience: ACT helps children learn how to manage distressing thoughts and emotions, reducing the emotional impact of bullying.
- Rebuilding Self-Confidence: CFT encourages self-compassion and helps children separate their self-worth from the hurtful words or actions of others.
- Developing Assertiveness and Boundaries: Therapy supports children in developing communication skills to respond to bullying effectively.
- Processing Trauma and Anxiety: If bullying has led to deep emotional wounds, therapy can provide a safe space to work through these experiences and heal.
- Parental Guidance on Supporting Your Child: I help parents understand how to support their child, whether by navigating school interventions, boosting self-esteem at home, or helping them rebuild trust in relationships.
Moving Forward
No child should have to face bullying alone. With the right support, they can regain confidence, develop emotional strength, and move forward in a way that empowers them. If your child is struggling with the effects of bullying, I can help.
I am a BACP-registered Children and Young People Psychotherapeutic Counsellor based in West London, Chelsea. My approach integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and mindfulness techniques to help children and teens heal from the impact of bullying while fostering resilience and self-compassion. I provide private therapy for kids and teens online across the UK and worldwide. If you’d like to learn more about how I can support your child, feel free to get in touch.