Bullying is the verbal and physical action intended to humiliate, disconcert or harm another owing to a perceived or exaggerated weakness in a target individual. It is a consistent and persistent experience that most commonly occurs in schools. Bullying tactics can be overt or subtle. It can have racial and prejudicial or sexist tones. It can be inflicted in childhood and adulthood and whether acute or prolonged, being bullied can have serious emotional, psychological and health consequences for the victim and for the bully. To manage the occurrence and the impact of bullying, counseling from an experienced and knowledgeable therapist, can provide the tools, resources and strategies to best cope with the aftermath.
What is Bullying?
Bullying includes the physical and emotional turmoil that one individual causes another. This can include assault by physically hitting, grabbing or pushing including verbal slander and emotional abuse through taunting, teasing and degradation. In its severest form, bullying occurs in a school environment among children.
Bullying has also shifted from the traditional classroom environment to include online threats. Cyber bullying is the new age of such emotional trauma as more individuals have access to the internet, social media and online platforms.
Adults are also bullied in many different forms. In the workplace, sexual harassment, threats of job loss, and abusive of power in positions of authority are major occurrences. It leaves people feeling cornered, stripped of their dignity and unable to determine which direction to take to manage their situation.
The Impact of Bullying
Bullying can have lasting effects on the social, emotional and developmental health of children into adulthood. It may result in:
- High levels of anxiety
- Insecurity
- Social withdrawal
- Depression
- Fearfulness from confronting the bully and situation to refusal to revisit places where the bullying occurred.
Therapy for Bullying
Counseling for the victim of bullying is comprehensive. It involves individualized therapy and family therapy. In a school environment where children frequently encounter bullying, difficulty defending themselves against such vicious attacks often exacerbates the circumstances. During counseling, the therapist will focus on victim empowerment. Families are educated on the effects such behaviors can have on young minds. Group therapy is recommended for children and adults. It helps share stories, perceptions and feelings about their circumstances and helps them feel less alone.
Counseling for bullying focuses on confidence building strategies! Individuals who have been bullied are introduced to essential social skills including coping techniques and healthy ways to stand up for themselves. Therapy introduces resources and how to seek help in cases of severe physical assault.
For adults, emphasis is on individual empowerment and developing essential self-esteem. Skills to apply in the workplace are introduced. The role of the therapist is to assist the victims of bullying to find constructive ways of coping and managing their circumstances. It is about helping them take their power back.
Bullies can also benefit from therapy including confidence building techniques. Most forms of bullying stem from insecurity, a lack of power and need for control.
At DNM Health Services clients are provided bullying counseling services to cope with trauma for adults and children. We believe therapy is an important part of facilitating healing for the victims of bullying and the bullies themselves!
If you’re searching for bullying counseling in Stockbridge, bullying counseling in Locust Grove, bullying counseling in Jonesboro, bullying counseling in Griffin, or bullying counseling in Hampton and other surrounding areas, call us today.
Located virtually in Delaware and Georgia with locations in McDonough, Griffin, and Fayetteville, we accept many different forms of insurance and even self pay.
Call us at 470-410-7738 to request an appointment with a licensed professional counselor or you may request it online.