Adolescent issues and bullying
Sensitive and confidential help is required for a wide range of adolescent issues including: trauma and abuse, substance abuse, learning disabilities, family problems, and problems with weight, to name just a few. At Progress we have a counsellor experienced in working with young people of school age. We understand that it is important that the adult who is offering help is approachable and understands the problems specific to adolescence.
Many successful people were bullied when they were young: Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Eminem, have all told of their experiences at the hands of bullies. Bullying can take the form of physical, verbal or emotional abuse, by brothers and sisters, by adults or by other pupils at school.
There are many reasons why bullying occurs, one of them is where the bully may have been a victim of emotional or physical abuse themselves, or have witnessed destructive behaviour in their family. This is the start of the vicious circle, when belittling others seems to be a way to provide themselves with feelings of power and self-esteem. The consequences of bullying can be devastating if not sensitively dealt with.
As bullying often starts at a young age, the Progress Team believes that by running workshops in schools we can communicate to both the perpetrator and victim that bullying is not acceptable. We can help individuals to cope with, and work through the feelings of worthlessness, fear and low self-esteem that often arise as a result of being either the bully or the victim.
With the appropriate support the vicious and damaging cycle of bullying can be broken, leading to a safe, confident and assertive way of life.
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