Bullying Support & Counseling for Children, Teens, and Caregivers in Portland, OR

Understanding the Impact of Bullying

Bullying can have a significant impact on a child's emotional well-being, self-esteem, relationships, and sense of safety. Whether bullying occurs in person, online, at school, in sports, or within peer groups, young people may experience anxiety, sadness, isolation, shame, anger, or fear as a result.

Children and teens who are being bullied may begin avoiding school, withdrawing from friends and activities, experiencing changes in sleep or mood, or developing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to process these experiences, strengthen coping skills, rebuild confidence, and develop strategies for responding effectively.

Common Concerns Related to Bullying

As a child psychologist and teen therapist in Portland, Oregon, I help children, adolescents, and caregivers navigate concerns such as:

• Bullying at school

• Cyberbullying and social media harassment

• Social exclusion and peer conflict

• Anxiety related to bullying

• Depression and low self-esteem

• School avoidance or school refusal

• Social anxiety

• Emotional distress and anger

• Loss of confidence

• Friendship difficulties

• Identity-based bullying

• LGBTQIA+ related bullying

• Bullying related to neurodivergence, disabilities, race, culture, or other identities

Evidence-Based Treatment

My approach focuses on helping young people understand their experiences, develop coping strategies, strengthen resilience, and reconnect with their sense of confidence and belonging.

Treatment may incorporate:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Trauma-informed interventions

• Social skills support

• Emotional regulation skill building

• Self-esteem and confidence enhancement

• Family-based support and caregiver consultation

For children experiencing significant distress, treatment may also address anxiety, depression, traumatic stress, or school-related difficulties that have emerged as a result of bullying.

What to Expect During Therapy

Therapy begins with understanding your child's experiences, strengths, support systems, and goals. Together, we identify how bullying has affected their emotional well-being and develop strategies to support recovery and resilience.

Treatment may focus on:

• Processing difficult experiences and emotions

• Building self-confidence and self-compassion

• Managing anxiety, sadness, or anger

• Strengthening coping skills

• Improving assertiveness and communication

• Navigating peer relationships

• Reducing school avoidance

• Supporting identity development

• Enhancing problem-solving skills

When appropriate, caregivers are actively involved in treatment. Parent sessions may focus on understanding the impact of bullying, supporting emotional recovery, advocating within school systems, and strengthening family communication.

Supporting the Whole Family

Bullying affects not only the child being targeted but often the entire family. Caregivers may feel worried, frustrated, helpless, or unsure how best to help. Part of treatment involves empowering parents with practical strategies to support their child while fostering resilience and connection.

My goal is to help children and teens move beyond the impact of bullying, rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships, and engage fully in the activities, friendships, and opportunities that matter most to them.

Common Issues Addressed

• School bullying

• Cyberbullying

• Peer victimization

• Relational aggression

• Social exclusion

• School refusal related to bullying

• Anxiety after bullying

• Depression after bullying

• Self-esteem concerns

• Friendship difficulties

• Identity-based harassment

• Emotional recovery after bullying