Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Child bullying is when a child deliberately and repeatedly hurts, threatens, excludes, or targets another child — often to gain a sense of control. It can be physical (like hitting or pushing), verbal (teasing or name-calling), social (spreading rumours or leaving someone out), or online (cyberbullying). It’s more than just a one-off argument; it’s ongoing and often leaves the child being bullied feeling powerless. Early support makes a big difference — treatment for child bullying usually involves helping the child build confidence, learn coping skills, and strengthen peer relationships, often with support from families, schools, and psychologists.
Every child is different, so these signs might not always mean bullying is happening — but they’re definitely worth checking in about. If you’re concerned, early support and seeking treatment for child bullying can make a big difference.
Reluctance to go to school, sudden drop in performance, or making excuses to stay home.
Cuts, bruises, damaged items, or frequent reports of “losing” things.
Sadness, irritability, clinginess, anxiety, or angry outbursts.
Headaches, stomach aches, trouble sleeping, or nightmares with no clear medical cause.
Avoiding friends, becoming unusually quiet, or suddenly spending a lot of time alone.
Saying things like “I’m not good at anything” or “It’s my fault.”
1 in 6 Australian students report being bullied at school
Around 25% of Aussie kids have experienced traditional bullying
Bullying costs Australia over $760 million each year
Over 80% of cyberbullied students are also bullied in person
We often think of bullying as a schoolyard issue, but research is increasingly clear: bullying is a serious mental health concern that can have lasting emotional impacts on children. A 2023 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlights that for some kids, bullying can actually be experienced as a form of psychological trauma — especially when it’s repeated, intense, and isolating.
According to the research, around 36% of young people experience bullying, and many show trauma-like symptoms afterwards. These can include anxiety, fear, intrusive thoughts, and social withdrawal. In some cases, the emotional effects of bullying closely resemble post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — especially when the child feels unsafe or unsupported.
The researchers argue that we need to stop viewing bullying as “just part of growing up” and start recognising it as a legitimate psychological injury in some cases. That shift opens up new possibilities for how we support children recovering from bullying.
Most school-based programs focus on preventing bullying — which is essential — but they often don’t offer much for children who are already struggling with the emotional aftermath. While peer support and adult monitoring can help, many children need more structured, one-on-one support to fully recover.
This is where individual treatment for child bullying becomes important.
The study highlights Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) as a particularly promising treatment option. TF-CBT is already a well-established therapy for children with PTSD, and researchers believe its tools can be adapted to help children process bullying-related distress.
Key components of TF-CBT include:
Helping kids identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts
Teaching emotional regulation and coping skills
Involving parents or caregivers in the process
Gradual exposure to feared situations (e.g., school or peer groups)
Together, these strategies can help kids regain confidence, feel safer, and rebuild their self-esteem.
While more clinical trials are needed to test TF-CBT specifically for bullying, the research is clear: kids who have been bullied benefit most from structured, individualised support that goes beyond general advice or peer programs. It’s not just about stopping the bullying — it’s about healing the child.
At MindBox Psychology, our clinicians draw on evidence-based approaches like CBT and trauma-informed care to offer real help. If you’re looking for tailored treatment for child bullying, we’re here to support your family every step of the way.
*Source: Conceptual Application of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Victims of Bullying – National Library of Medicine | PubMed Central
Regular chats (e.g., in the car or before bed) help kids feel safe to open up.
Encourage hobbies and activities where your child feels capable and strong.
Teach simple phrases like “That’s not OK” and role-play common scenarios.
Clinical Psychologist, Director of MindBox Psychology
Our Psychologists are highly qualified, with Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. We provide treatment for child bullying using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based treatments like Mindfulness and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
For our latest updates, subscribe below
