Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). In-person sessions in Edmonton and St. Albert. Virtual sessions across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Bullying Therapy Is Right for You

You may be questioning whether what you or your child went through really counts as bullying, or whether it was serious enough to talk to someone about. Maybe it stopped weeks or months ago, but the sting of it still shows up in unexpected ways. You might be unsure whether a therapist would understand, or whether counselling is even the right kind of help for something like this.

Perhaps you notice yourself replaying conversations, avoiding certain people or places, or feeling on edge in social situations that used to feel ordinary. Your child might be refusing to go to school, withdrawing from friendships, or reacting with frustration that seems out of proportion to what is happening in the moment. For adults, the patterns might look like dreading the workplace, second-guessing every interaction, or carrying a quiet sense of shame that is hard to explain to anyone else.

These reactions are not signs that something is permanently wrong. They are common responses to repeated experiences of exclusion, harassment, or intimidation. The mind and body adapt to protect a person from further harm, and sometimes those protective patterns continue even after the situation changes.

If you are weighing whether speaking with someone could help, this page may be a useful starting point. You can read through what this kind of support looks like, what to expect, and how to get started if it feels right.

Who This Service May Be a Good Fit For

Bullying-related counselling at Wholesome Psychology may be relevant for:

• Children and teens dealing with peer bullying, cyberbullying, or social exclusion at school
• Adults experiencing bullying or repeated harassment in the workplace, social settings, family systems, or community environments
• Parents or caregivers looking for guidance on how to support a child who has been bullied
• People who want a private, structured space to talk through the emotional and practical effects of ongoing or past bullying
• Anyone gathering information about counselling for a family member, partner, or friend

This Service May Not Be the Right Fit For

• People in immediate danger or crisis. Please see the crisis resources below.
• Situations requiring a formal psychological assessment or diagnosis. Psychological assessments are a separate service at Wholesome Psychology.
• Legal, forensic, or investigative needs. Counselling does not replace legal advice, school disciplinary processes, or workplace HR investigations.
• Perpetrator accountability programming. If you are looking for a mandated intervention program, a referral to a specialized service may be more appropriate.

Crisis Resources

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, or if there are concerns about acting on thoughts of self-harm, please contact one of the following:

• 911 for immediate danger
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Family Violence Info Line (Alberta): 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What This Service Is

Bullying therapy is a form of counselling that focuses on the emotional, social, and practical effects of being bullied. It provides a private, structured space to talk about what happened, make sense of its impact, and develop strategies for coping and moving forward. Therapy may also involve building communication skills, setting boundaries, or working with caregivers to support a child's recovery environment.

This service is not a legal process, an investigation, or a school disciplinary action. Counselling supports coping and planning, but it does not replace school processes, workplace HR procedures, medical care, or legal advice. It also does not guarantee that the bullying situation itself will change.

This page describes counselling support for bullying-related concerns. It is not a diagnostic assessment page. Psychological assessments are a separate service offered by Wholesome Psychology.

The pace of therapy is always set by the client, not the therapist. Confidentiality is reviewed at the beginning of the first session, and you are welcome to ask questions about privacy before sharing anything personal.

Signs Bullying May Be Affecting You

Bullying can show up in daily life in ways that are not always obvious. You might recognize some of the following experiences:

• Ongoing stress, worry, or low mood that does not seem to lift
• Self-doubt or a noticeable drop in confidence
• Avoiding school, work, or social situations that used to feel manageable
• Replaying conversations or incidents in your mind
• Distress related to social media, group chats, or cyberbullying
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities you used to enjoy
• Difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or keeping up with daily routines
• Reacting with frustration or irritability that feels out of proportion
• A sense of shame or embarrassment that is hard to put into words

Having these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They are common reactions to repeated exposure to harmful social situations. Research involving Canadian youth suggests that experiences like cybervictimization are associated with negative mental health outcomes (Statistics Canada, n.d.), and these patterns are increasingly recognized in prevention and public health efforts (Government of Canada, n.d.). With structured support, many people find that these patterns begin to shift.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use the Match with a Therapist tool, browse Our Therapists page, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.
• Book your first session. The first appointment includes a review of confidentiality and consent, a discussion of the concerns bringing you in, and space to talk about what kind of support would be most useful. You can ask questions at any point.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist will co-create a plan based on your goals, preferences, and circumstances. This is a collaborative process.
• Ongoing sessions. Follow-up sessions are typically 50 minutes, scheduled weekly or bi-weekly, and adjusted as your needs change.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist will review how things are going at regular intervals. Plans adapt as your situation evolves.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Therapy is collaborative, and your voice matters at every stage. For more about what to expect, visit the Getting Started with Therapy page.

Evidence and Approaches

Counselling for bullying-related concerns draws on a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to each person's age, goals, and situation. The approaches described below are tools your therapist may draw on based on what feels most relevant to your experience. Research on bullying interventions has focused primarily on school-based and community-level programmes rather than individual therapy outcomes for bullying specifically, so the descriptions below reflect general therapeutic evidence rather than bullying-specific trials.

Cognitive Behavioural Approaches

What it helps with: Cognitive behavioural approaches may help people identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns related to self-blame, avoidance, or social anxiety following bullying.

Evidence summary: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is widely recommended in clinical guidelines for anxiety, low mood, and stress-related difficulties. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) includes CBT-informed approaches in its guidance on social and emotional wellbeing for children and young people in educational settings (NICE, 2008). Anti-bullying interventions studied in school settings have drawn on cognitive behavioural frameworks, though individual therapy outcomes for bullying specifically are less well-documented (Gaffney et al., n.d.).

Limitations: Most available evidence addresses school-based programmes rather than one-to-one therapy for bullying. Individual outcomes vary, and CBT may not address every aspect of a bullying experience.

Supportive and Person-Centred Counselling

What it helps with: Supportive counselling provides a safe, non-judgmental space to process difficult emotions, rebuild self-trust, and reduce isolation after bullying.

Evidence summary: Person-centred and supportive therapeutic approaches are recognized across clinical guidelines as foundational to effective therapy. These approaches prioritize the therapeutic relationship, client autonomy, and emotional safety, all of which may be particularly relevant for people whose trust has been affected by bullying experiences.

Limitations: No bullying-specific randomized trials for person-centred therapy were available in the evidence pack. Outcomes depend on individual factors and the quality of the therapeutic relationship.

Social Skills and Communication-Focused Work

What it helps with: This approach may help people who are struggling with social confidence, boundary-setting, or navigating peer, workplace, or family dynamics after bullying.

Evidence summary: Social skills training is a component of several school-based anti-bullying programmes that have been studied in meta-analyses (Gaffney et al., n.d.). Communication-focused work in therapy can support assertiveness, conflict resolution, and re-engagement with social environments.

Limitations: Evidence for individual social skills therapy for bullying is limited. Group-based and school-based formats have been studied more extensively than one-to-one clinical settings.

What Results to Expect

Recovery from the effects of bullying is not always a straight line. Some people notice meaningful shifts after just a few sessions, particularly when the focus is on specific coping strategies or communication skills. Others benefit from longer-term work, especially when bullying has affected self-worth, relationships, or day-to-day functioning over a sustained period.

Several factors influence how therapy unfolds: the nature of the bullying experiences, how long they lasted, what other supports are in place, and whether the situation is ongoing or has ended. Therapeutic fit also matters. If your therapist does not feel like the right match, the admin team can help you find someone else.

No therapy guarantees specific outcomes. What counselling can offer is a structured, private space to work through the effects of bullying at your own pace, with the guidance of a trained professional.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Your therapist is bound by the ethical standards that apply to their professional designation, including the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) for Registered Psychologists, the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) for Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs), and the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) for Registered Social Workers, as well as Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are a limited number of situations where a therapist is legally required to share information:

• Risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else
• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• A court order requiring disclosure

These limits are explained clearly during the first session, and you can ask questions about them at any time, including before you share anything personal. For more about how privacy is protected at Wholesome Psychology, visit the Fees page or contact the clinic directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You are never required to recount every detail of what happened. Therapy can focus on present-day patterns, coping strategies, and practical goals without requiring a detailed retelling of each incident. Your therapist will follow your lead on how much you want to share and at what pace.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. Counselling is confidential under Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). There are limited exceptions, including situations involving risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, or a court order. Your therapist will review these limits clearly at the start of therapy. You can read more in the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed number. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions, particularly when they are working on specific coping skills or communication strategies. Others benefit from longer-term support. Your therapist will check in regularly on how things are going, and the plan can be adjusted at any point.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Therapeutic fit matters, and not every therapist-client pairing works well. If your therapist does not feel like the right match, the admin team at 780-904-4880 can help you find a different clinician within the practice. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can I access therapy online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available for anyone located in Alberta. The same confidentiality standards and therapeutic approaches apply whether your session is in person or online.

What if my child is still being bullied?

Counselling can support your child while the bullying is ongoing. Therapy does not replace school processes, and it cannot stop another person's behaviour, but it can help your child develop coping strategies, process their feelings, and plan next steps. Your therapist can also help you think through how to coordinate with schools or other supports.

Can adults get help for bullying too?

Yes. Although much of the research on bullying focuses on youth and school settings, adults can also be affected by bullying in the workplace, within families, in community groups, or online. Counselling can provide a private space to work through the emotional impact and develop practical strategies for managing the situation.

Meet Your Clinicians

Wholesome Psychology's team includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Certified Canadian Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists, and Student Therapists. All psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.

Many clinicians on the team have experience working with clients affected by bullying, social exclusion, anxiety, self-esteem concerns, and related difficulties. To view individual profiles and areas of focus, visit the Our Therapists page. You can also use the Match with a Therapist tool or call 780-904-4880 for guidance from the admin team.

Children and Youth

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people affected by bullying. Therapists working with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches, including play-based and creative methods where relevant.

For children and teens, parent or caregiver involvement may be part of the support plan, depending on age, consent, safety, and care goals. Clinicians work with caregivers to help create a supportive environment at home and to coordinate with schools or other systems when appropriate.

You may also wish to explore the Child and Youth Counselling, Teen Therapy for Youth 13 to 15 Years, or Youth Mental Health Support pages for more information.

Getting Started

If you are considering counselling for bullying-related concerns, here are some ways to take the next step:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call: 780-904-4880
• Email: info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Learn more about getting started

New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Starting the conversation is enough.

References

• Gaffney, H., Ttofi, M. M., & Farrington, D. P. (n.d.). Assessment of school anti-bullying interventions: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. PubMed Central. Retrieved from PMC.
• Government of Canada. (n.d.). Bullying prevention programs. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2008). Social and emotional wellbeing in primary and secondary education. NICE.
• Statistics Canada. (n.d.). Cybervictimization and mental health among Canadian youth. Retrieved from https://www.statcan.gc.ca/
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services. Retrieved from https://icd.who.int/