Bullying is a serious problem and can lead to deeply rooted psychological issues. Parents often feel helpless when their child is bullied, and, according to the staff at Fairbanks Psychiatric & Neurological Clinic APC in Alaska, it’s important to seek outside resources. A child therapist can be a great resource for you and your child. Below, they explain several reasons why. 

Bullying & the Benefits of Seeing a Child Therapist

1. Sharing Emotions

Your child will have a swarm of emotions around being bullied. It’s essential for them to talk about these feelings, and a child therapist can help the child name and process the mix of emotions in the gentle and joyful context of child therapy. They’ll help them express what they’re going through and talk through. Therapy can help your child change negative self perceptions and develop strategies to cope with the situation without putting themselves in harm’s way.

2. Building Confidence

When a child is bullied, it can diminish their self-confidence. This can affect schoolwork, relationships with friends and family, and their social-emotional development. Healthy development in childhood can be a foundation for life long resilience. Unhealthy social-emotional development can have life long negative consequences. Bullying is never a reflection of the truth.  A therapist is especially skilled at helping a child find their own truth as a capable and valued person.

3. Finding Solutions

There are safe, productive ways to handle bullying. Using the child’s real scenarios, the child therapist can help him/her learn how to confront bullying while also managing their own emotions. The therapist will help the family access resources, such as school counselors, teachers, and coaches, who can influence the bullying situation and promote the child’s self-esteem.

Getting help early for a child who is being bullied can make all the difference. The child therapists at Fairbanks Psychiatric & Neurological Clinic can help. They offer counseling and psychiatry services and are committed to helping children and families overcome issues they’re facing. Call (907) 452-1739 today to schedule a consultation and visit their website and Facebook to learn more about their counseling approach. Sally Caldwell, LPC-S, lead therapist at this clinic, now accepts Tricare insurance. 

Special thanks to Sally Caldwell, LPC-S, for contributing to this article.