Bullying Counselling in Leigh On Sea
If you are reading this then you may well be needing bullying counselling in Leigh On Sea. Even though we all think we know what bullying is and we could immediately spot it and call it out, it can be helpful to remind ourselves of the definition. Bullying can be overt or covert and sometimes we may not recognise it until we are very far into the process.
What is bullying?
Examples of bullying at school
- Name-calling
- Spreading rumours
- Physical violence
- Exclusion from social activities
- Cyberbullying
- Intimidation
- Teasing
- Making threats
- Public humiliation
- Damaging someone's property
- Making fun of someone’s physical appearance
Examples of bullying in the family
Much of the above incidences, but in addition:
- Exclusion from family activities
- Unfairly blaming or criticising
- Withholding affection or love
- Controlling someone’s behaviour or decisions
- Financial abuse or exploitation
- Emotional manipulation or blackmail
- Unreasonable demands or expectations
Examples of bullying in the workplace
As well as some of the above examples, you may experience:
- Intimidation, such as staring, following, or cornering someone
- Unwanted sexual advances or comments
- Unwarranted criticism or humiliation in front of others
- Unfairly withholding resources or opportunities
What does it feel like to be bullied?
From my experience of bullying counselling in Leigh On Sea, I understand being bullied can feel very hurtful, isolating and overwhelming. It can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. Victims of bullying may also feel intimidated, powerless and alone. It is important to know that bullying is never okay and no one deserves to be mistreated in this way.
What to do if you think you are being bullied?
So how do we navigate this? It may be helpful to think of bullying in terms of boundaries. To put it simply, to bully another person is to repeatedly cross their boundaries.
There are several things you can do:
- Speak up: Tell someone you trust about what is happening. Depending on your age and the place in which the bullying is happening, this could be a parent, teacher, counsellor or another authority figure who can help you.
- Stay calm and confident (even if you may not feel that way on the inside): Bullies often feed on the reactions of their victims, so try to stay calm and confident when dealing with them.
- Avoid the bully: If possible, try to avoid the bully and stay away from places where they are likely to be.
- Seek support: Talk to friends and family members who can provide you with emotional support and help you cope with the situation.
- Consider attending an assertiveness course focused on building healthy boundaries
- Practice self-care: Take care of yourself physically and emotionally, doing things that make you feel good about yourself
Remember, it is not your fault that you are being bullied. You have a right to be treated with respect and dignity and there are people who can help you.
What to do if someone you love is being bullied
It can be a challenging and emotionally draining experience, but there are several things you can do to support them:
- Listen to them: Allow them to talk about their experiences and feelings and be a supportive and empathetic listener.
- Offer comfort and reassurance: Let your loved one know that you are there for them and that they are not alone.
- Encourage them to seek help: You can help them to find resources or others who can help them, like a counsellor or a teacher.
- Model positive behaviour: Encourage your loved one to stand up against bullying by modelling positive behaviour and treating others with kindness and respect.
- Take action: If necessary, take appropriate action to report the bullying to the appropriate authorities, such as the school or workplace.
Remember, it is essential to believe and support the person who is being bullied rather than just dismissing it as a normal part of growing up or par for the course in life. It’s important to help them get through this tough situation as a support system and guide them to professionals who have the necessary expertise to help manage the situation.
Is it possible to recover from bullying?
It is absolutely possible to recover and thrive, but it can take time and effort. The road to recovery may differ from one person to another, depending on the severity of the bullying and the individual’s coping mechanisms.
Some people may be able to recover from bullying on their own, often by focusing on building their self-esteem and self-worth, seeking out supportive relationships and practising self-care.
However, some individuals who have experienced severe and long-term bullying may require professional help from a counsellor or therapist. A mental health professional can help the individual to overcome the emotional trauma caused by bullying and develop healthy coping strategies to move on from the experience.
Other essential steps on the road to recovery from bullying can include understanding the nature of bullying, finding supportive peer groups, practising healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise and stress management and seeking out leadership opportunities to boost confidence.
Remember, bullying is not your fault and you are not alone. There is always help available and things can get better. Recovery from bullying is possible with the right support, guidance and self-care. Don’t suffer in silence and seek help such as counselling if you need it.
