Clover House Therapy - The Complementary Therapy Centre for Children

Andrew, aged 15

Bullying

The Problem

Mum found out about us through her friend, and wrote that “Andrew is the victim of repeated bullying, and fear is effecting his daily life”. She wrote that “Andrew thinks he is a human punch-bag. Most times he will not show his anger or emotions until he gets home. He shows it by shouting, throwing things, making strange noises and talking to himself; he is too frightened to go upstairs or to sleep alone. He shouts in his sleep, and wets the bed”. A copy of a letter Mum wrote to the school detailed a severe assault by two other boys resulting in cracked ribs. Andrew was too scared to attend school. Mum is on her own, in ill health and often in hospital.

The Treatment – 3 sessions

Imagery
The bullying incident was “rewound” using crayons to relay the story, and sleep was attended to by installing “a dream arm” and a “super hero”. Mum and younger brother, who were also in attendance, showed an interest in these techniques and were encouraged to use them as well as. More work was done at the second session. At the third session work was done with Mum (as she had not implemented massage or nutrition) to help her disperse negative thoughts and increase positive memories.

Massage
At his first session Andrew had a headache and the therapist thought he was holding a lot of stress in his shoulders, but by the end of a head massage his headache was better, he was smiling and thanked the therapist. Mum was shown some massage to do at home (her own health permitting)

Nutrition
Andrew and his Mum were advised to have a more satisfying breakfast, to eat foods rich in B vitamins for energy/stress, and to have more foods rich in magnesium. He was prescribed B vitamin supplements. By the second session, Mum had not gone shopping, so she was supported to learn more about healthier foods.

The Results

Mum had arranged a fourth session, but they did not need it. Andrew was going to his old school (previous to the one where he was bullied) and Mum said that the imagery therapist “was amazing”.