Helping Kids Heal from Bullying with Play Therapy

Imagine a child who dreads going to school, not because of tests or homework, but because of the fear of being mocked, excluded, or physically hurt. Bullying is not just an unfortunate part of childhood, it’s a crisis affecting millions of children and teens worldwide. 

The effects of bullying extend far beyond the schoolyard. Victims of bullying often struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even PTSD. In extreme cases, bullying can lead to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. What makes it worse is that many children lack the tools to express or process their experiences, which is why therapy, especially play therapy, becomes an essential intervention.

According to a report by the American Psychological Association, bully victims are twice as likely to develop mental health disorders in adulthood compared to non-victims.

This blog explores how play therapy can be a powerful tool in helping children and teens recover from bullying, with a focus on expert insights from Dr. April Duncan, a leader in play therapy and racial trauma.

If you want to dive deeper into play therapy techniques, check out this comprehensive guide on play therapy.

Understanding Bullying: Types and Psychological Impact

Before exploring play therapy techniques, it’s crucial to understand what bullying looks like and its deep psychological impact.

The Different Forms of Bullying

Bullying isn’t just about physical aggression; it takes multiple forms:

• Physical Bullying – Hitting, kicking, pushing, or damaging belongings.
• Verbal Bullying – Name-calling, insults, threats, and racist or sexist remarks.
• Relational Bullying – Exclusion, gossip, social sabotage, and manipulation.
• Cyberbullying – Online harassment, social media shaming, and public humiliation.

The Psychological Toll on Children

Children who experience bullying may exhibit various warning signs, such as:

• Increased social withdrawal
• Declining academic performance
• Sleep disturbances and nightmares
• Fear of school or social situations
• Difficulty trusting others

For many children, expressing these fears verbally is too difficult. This is where play therapy becomes an invaluable tool.

How Play Therapy Helps Children Recover from Bullying

Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that allows children to express emotions, process trauma, and build resilience in a safe, non-verbal way. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which may be intimidating for younger clients, play therapy encourages creative expression and emotional healing through activities.

Dr. April Duncan, a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and racial trauma expert, has dedicated her career to helping children process difficult experiences through play therapy.

She emphasizes that play therapy is particularly effective for bullied children because it:

• Helps externalize their fears and emotions through creative storytelling.
• Provides a sense of control over difficult situations.
• Encourages self-expression without judgment.
• Builds confidence and social skills through play-based problem-solving.

Explore more about how play therapy helps children overcome extreme thinking patterns in her on-demand courses.

Key Play Therapy Techniques for Bully Victims

1. Sandtray Therapy

What it is:

A technique where children arrange figurines and objects in a tray of sand to express their experiences symbolically.

Why it works:

• Helps externalize emotions that are difficult to verbalize.
• Reveals subconscious fears and trauma responses.
• Encourages problem-solving by allowing children to create “new endings” to difficult situations.

How therapists can use it:

• Ask the child to depict a school scenario and discuss how it makes them feel
• Encourage the child to create a "safe space" in the sand where they feel protected.

2. Role-Playing and Puppetry

What it is:
Using puppets or role-play scenarios to act out bullying situations and explore different responses.

Why it works:

• Builds emotional resilience by allowing children to practice safe confrontation.
• Helps identify coping strategies and develop assertiveness.

How therapists can use it:

• Act out real-life bullying situations and let the child explore alternative outcomes.
• Encourage problem-solving discussions about what could have been done differently.

3. Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT)

What it is:

A structured form of play therapy that combines CBT techniques with play-based interventions.

Why it works:

• Helps children reframe negative thoughts about bullying.
• Encourages self-esteem building through interactive activities.
• Introduces coping skills to reduce anxiety and fear.

Example exercise:

• Have the child draw a "hero version" of themselves overcoming bullying.
• Discuss their strengths and how they can apply them in real-life situations.

Want to learn more about Dr. April Duncan's approach?
Check out her courses here.

Recognizing Signs of Bullying Through Play

Many bullied children don’t verbally disclose their experiences. Instead, their distress is reflected in play patterns, including:

• Avoiding aggressive play themes (fear of confrontation).
• Creating rescue stories where a “hero” saves them.
• Repetitive destruction of toys (self-directed anger and frustration).

Therapists can identify these patterns and intervene appropriately using play-based assessments.

Empowering Children to Advocate for Themselves

• Teaching assertiveness skills (using "I feel" statements).
• Encouraging children to seek support from trusted adults.
• Practicing relaxation and grounding techniques for moments of distress.

Engaging Families and Schools

• Educating parents on how to recognize bullying warning signs.
• Collaborating with teachers and school counselors.
• Encouraging school-wide anti-bullying programs.

Digital Play Therapy for Cyberbullying 

Cyberbullying is becoming one of the most prevalent forms of bullying, with nearly 60% of teenagers reporting that they have experienced online harassment (Pew Research Center). Because this form of bullying often happens outside of adult supervision, it can be difficult to address in traditional therapy settings.

Digital Play Therapy, which incorporates online games, interactive storytelling, and guided virtual play is emerging as an effective tool for addressing cyberbullying trauma. 

Therapists can:

• Use digital art therapy to help children express their emotions about online harassment.
• Explore virtual role-playing games to teach problem-solving and coping strategies.
• Guide clients through "safe space" exercises in digital environments, helping them regain control.

Final Thoughts

Bullying can leave lasting emotional scars, but play therapy provides a safe and effective way for children to process their experiences, build resilience, and regain confidence.

Dr. April Duncan’s expertise in sandtray therapy, CBT-based interventions, and play therapy techniques makes her an invaluable resource for therapists seeking to support bully victims.

Together, we can break the cycle of bullying and create a safer, more supportive world for children and teens.

Want to explore Dr. April Duncan’s training? Check out her live webinar or access the on-demand course.