The Emotional Impact of Bullying and How Counselling Can Help

Bullying can have a deep and lasting impact on emotional wellbeing, whether it happens in childhood, the teenage years, or adulthood. While bullying is often associated with schools, it can also occur in workplaces, online spaces, and social groups. For many people, the emotional effects of bullying continue long after the behaviour itself has ended.

People who experience bullying may struggle with anxiety, low mood, stress, or a loss of confidence. Counselling or psychotherapy can help individuals make sense of these experiences and begin the process of emotional recovery.

What is bullying?

Bullying can include repeated criticism, intimidation, exclusion, humiliation, rumours, or online harassment. Over time, these experiences can affect how a person views themselves and how safe they feel in their environment.

Teenagers who are bullied may begin to withdraw, avoid school, or experience changes in mood or behaviour. Adults may notice ongoing self-doubt, heightened anxiety, or difficulties in work or relationships.

The emotional impact of bullying

Being bullied can place the nervous system under constant stress. Living in a heightened state of alert can make it harder to regulate emotions and cope with everyday pressures. This may show up as anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, or difficulties with sleep and concentration.

For individuals who are neurodivergent or living with ADHD, bullying experiences can be particularly painful. Feeling misunderstood or targeted can intensify feelings of isolation and overwhelm.

Adults who were bullied earlier in life may find that these experiences still influence their confidence, relationships, or sense of self-worth years later.

Bullying, self-harm, and withdrawal

In some cases, bullying may contribute to self-harming behaviours or a sense of hopelessness. Others may cope by withdrawing, avoiding social situations, or keeping their feelings to themselves. These responses are often ways of managing emotional pain rather than signs of weakness.

Support at this stage can be an important step toward healing.

How counselling and psychotherapy can help

Counselling and psychotherapy provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore the emotional impact of bullying at your own pace. Therapy can help individuals understand how past or ongoing bullying has affected their emotions, thoughts, and relationships.

For teenagers, counselling may support emotional regulation, confidence, and coping with school-related stress or bullying. For adults, psychotherapy can help process earlier experiences and develop healthier ways of relating to oneself and others.

An integrative approach to counselling allows therapy to be tailored to individual needs, combining emotional support with practical coping strategies that feel realistic and supportive.

When to consider reaching out for support

If bullying is affecting your mental health, relationships, or daily life, speaking with a counsellor or psychotherapist may help. Many people seek therapy when they feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or unsure how to move forward.

With the right support, it is possible to rebuild confidence, develop resilience, and feel more emotionally grounded.