Counselling for Bullying – Support to Heal and Rebuild Confidence
Bullying can have lasting emotional effects—long after the name-calling, exclusion or intimidation stops. Whether it happened at school, in the workplace or online, bullying can leave deep marks on your confidence, self-image and trust in others.
At Past 2 Present Counselling & Psychotherapy, we offer confidential, compassionate support for people who’ve experienced bullying at any stage of life. Therapy can help you understand what happened, process the emotional impact and begin to rebuild your sense of safety, worth and identity.
How Bullying Affects Mental and Emotional Health
Bullying isn’t just “a phase” or “something to toughen you up.” It can lead to serious emotional consequences, especially when endured over time. You might notice:
- Low self-esteem or self-doubt
- Anxiety in social or work settings
- Fear of judgement, rejection or confrontation
- Feelings of shame, embarrassment or anger
- Isolation, withdrawal or emotional numbness
- Flashbacks or difficulty trusting others
- Difficulty asserting boundaries or speaking up
Counselling gives you the space to process these experiences, recognise your strengths and reclaim your voice.
Types of Bullying We Support Through Therapy
Bullying can take many forms, and all of them can be damaging. We provide support for:
- Childhood bullying – including long-standing emotional wounds
- School or university bullying – past or ongoing
- Workplace bullying – from peers, managers or toxic environments
- Cyberbullying – including online harassment and social media harm
- Family-based bullying – including controlling or shaming dynamics
No matter when or where it happened, your experience is valid—and therapy can help you heal.
How Counselling for Bullying Works
You’ll never be rushed or judged. Your therapist will help you explore the impact of bullying in a way that feels safe and respectful. Together, we’ll:
- Make sense of what happened and how it’s affecting you
- Identify patterns or triggers linked to bullying trauma
- Rebuild confidence and a more compassionate self-image
- Develop assertiveness and boundary-setting skills
- Learn grounding techniques for anxiety and emotional regulation
- Create space for self-expression, empowerment and emotional repair
Therapy supports you to release old beliefs placed on you by others and reconnect with your own voice and values.
Our Therapy Options for Bullying Recovery
We offer therapy in a format that suits your lifestyle and comfort:
- Online counselling – Private, flexible support wherever you are in the UK
- Telephone sessions – A good alternative if video doesn’t feel comfortable
- Walk and Talk Therapy – In Cornwall, outdoor sessions offer grounding, calming movement
- Person-Centred Therapy – Focused on empathy, self-worth and emotional safety
- Solution-Focused Support – Helping you take practical steps to feel stronger and more confident
We work with adults of all ages, including those who have carried bullying trauma for years.
What Does This Mean for Your Healing Journey?
You are not what was said or done to you. You are not the labels others placed on you. Through counselling, you can begin to unlearn the shame, rebuild your voice and move forward with renewed confidence and emotional clarity.
Therapy offers a chance not only to heal—but to reconnect with who you are beyond the experience of being bullied.
Can therapy help if the bullying happened years ago?
Yes. Many people seek therapy as adults for bullying that happened in childhood or school.
What if I don’t feel confident enough to talk?
That’s okay. Therapy moves at your pace. You don’t need to have the right words—just a willingness to explore.
Is this therapy suitable for workplace bullying?
Yes. We regularly support professionals who are dealing with or recovering from bullying at work.
Will I have to revisit painful memories?
Only if and when you’re ready. Therapy focuses on safety and healing, not re-traumatising.
Can therapy help with social anxiety caused by bullying?
Absolutely. Bullying often leads to anxiety—therapy can help you understand and manage these feelings.
What if I’m still being bullied?
Therapy can help you explore your options, set boundaries and plan safe next steps while offering emotional support.