Bullying
About 1 in 2 Canadian parents report that at least one of their children has been a victim of bullying. It’s a pervasive problem that affects people of all ages and demographics, and it can have lasting effects on a child’s mental health.
To begin therapy to address bullying, book with:
Amy Parsons
Dayirai Kapfunde (virtual only)
Kim Cardinal
Samantha LeBlanc
How Bullying Impacts Children and Teenagers
Some people wrongfully believe that bullying is just a cliched rite of passage or a normal part of growing up. While bullying is common, it is considered a type of abuse, and it should never be dismissed or taken lightly.
Bullying can impact people in many ways, including:
Low self-esteem: As children grow up, they become more reliant on their peer group for a sense of support and social acceptance. When people their age turn against them (as is the case in bullying), they often react by feeling deeply ashamed. They may believe that the bully is right, and that they really are a bad or flawed person.
Unhealthy coping mechanisms: Many people cope with bullying by trying to numb or escape their pain. Children with histories of bullying may be at an increased risk for self-harm, disordered eating, substance use, and other compulsive behaviors.
School avoidance: A child being cyberbullied or bullied at school directly may not want to go to school altogether. Logistically, this makes complete sense. When we suspect we're in immediate danger, we want to avoid that triggering place.
Suicide risk: Suicide is a serious epidemic among young people. Research shows that bullied victims are 2-9x more likely to experience suicidal ideation than non-victims.
How Can Parents Help Their Bullied Child?
It can be devastating to realize that someone is acting cruelly toward your child. However, it's important to remember that you can play an influential role in supporting their well-being and instilling hope for their future.
Know the Warning Signs of Bullying
First, it's important to note that you might not recognize if your child is being bullied. Many kids won't outright say “this person is bullying me.”
Instead, they will show other behavioural changes, such as:
refusing to go to school
feigning sickness or complaining of headaches or stomach problems
losing interest in school, sports, or other extracurricular activities
not wanting to use social media at all (or wanting to use it significantly more)
changes in eating habits
regressive behaviour (particularly in younger children)
Keep in mind that children may feel humiliated about the situation. They might not want their parents to get overly involved because they fear the bullying will only get worse.
Listen Compassionately
All children need to know that they are safe talking about their stress at home.
So, if they start talking to you about something concerning, drop what you're doing and listen thoughtfully and intentionally. It's so important that your child knows their feelings are safe with you. Validate any feelings of anger, fear, or shame, and acknowledge that there are no "wrong" feelings during this time.
Collaborate on Solutions Together
Your child might have ideas about how to handle the bullying, and you should talk to them about what they think would be best for dealing with this situation. It may also be helpful to review various coping skills they can use to manage bullying-related stress.
That said, it's also important to avoid blaming your child (or acting like they've done something to “cause” the bullying). While it's great for kids to problem-solve, it isn't fair for them to feel responsible for the abuse.
Always remind your child that bullying is not their fault and that you are there to help and love them.
Get Other Adults Involved
If bullying is happening at school, don't assume that school personnel know what's going on. It's important that you highlight the situation so the right staff can monitor appropriately.
Keep following up. As a parent, you are your child's greatest advocate, and staying connected to what's going on is one of the best ways you can help improve the situation.
How Therapy Can Help People Cope With Bullying
Any type of childhood trauma can have profound effects on a child's well-being, personal growth, and physical health. However, that doesn't mean your child is doomed to suffer.
There is no one-size-fits-all healing process, but it's important for children and teenagers to have a safe place to share their feelings, and therapy offers that environment. Therapy will also focus on providing support, removing self-blame, and implementing healthy coping skills.
Child Therapy for Bullying in Fort McMurray
How to Start Therapy for Your Child
Beginning therapy with Boreal Therapy Collective is easy and requires no referral. You can book your initial assessment here.
Understanding Length of Therapy and Treatment
Your first appointment will be 90-minutes long. For all future appointments, you can choose to book for 1 hour or 90-minutes. During your child’s first appointment, the therapist will meet with you and your child for a quick introduction. After this, the therapist will meet with your child one-on-one (don’t worry, if your child wants you to stay it’s okay). The therapist will ask your child questions to better understand how bullying has been impacting their life. This is known as an assessment. Depending on how much your child shares, the assessment phase can last anywhere from one to three appointments. The assessment is critical. It helps the therapist identify your child’s needs and develop an appropriate treatment plan. At the end of each appointment, you will be invited back to review of what occurred during the appointment.
After the assessment is complete, treatment begins. In the treatment phase, your child will be introduced to a variety of skills to practice and implement. Most children will have a therapy session every two weeks, and we recommend this for optimal treatment. Effective therapy typically takes somewhere between six to twelve appointments (for some more, others less). Many choose to continue therapy once formal treatment is complete. This is referred to as maintenance. People who do this typically have an appointment once every six to eight weeks. This is not a requirement and is a matter of personal choice.
Child Therapy for Bullying at Boreal Therapy Collective
Where We Are Located
We’re located at 8530 Manning Avenue, Unit 104. You’ll find us in the Service Canada building (on the side of the building that faces the Clearwater River). To check out our space, click here.
Parking is located at the front and back of the building. The front parking lot is closer to us but tends to fill up quickly. There is also an empty dirt lot adjacent to our office that many use for parking. If you park at the back (where Service Canada is located), you can walk around the building to reach our office. To learn more about parking, click here.
Importantly, you do not need to be in town for treatment. We offer in-person and virtual therapy and our therapists are happy to provide whatever option works best for you!
Rates & Benefit Coverage
Initial assessments are billed at a rate of $300.00 for a 90-minute appointment. Follow-up sessions are billed at a rate of $200.00/hour or $300.00/90-minutes (you can choose your preferred appointment length when booking). We offer direct billing to 25+ benefit providers. With your consent, we will always direct bill first. If we are unable to direct bill, you can pay via email money transfer or credit card. You will be given a receipt once payment has been collected. For more information, click here.
