Bullying
Repeated, deliberate hurting in which power is unevenly distributed.
How it shows up
It isn’t a one-off argument. The key elements are repetition, intent and an imbalance of power. Children often don’t tell — out of shame, or fear that it will get worse.
What we do with it in therapy
What a child needs first is for you to believe them, and then for adults to act — not advice to defend themselves. I also work with the consequences that remain in their sense of self.
See also
Disappointment
A collision between expectation and reality — unavoidable in relationships and not necessarily a sign of a mistake.
Agoraphobia
Fear of situations from which escape would be difficult or where help would not be available.
Trust
The willingness to be vulnerable without checking all the time.
