Workplace bullying

Who this is for

Workplace bullying can be overt (humiliation, threats, exclusion) or subtle (undermining, impossible targets, credit stolen, being managed out). Either way, the impact on confidence, sleep, and health is real.

You might still be in the job, on sick leave, or recently left. Therapy can help you recover from what happened, clarify options, and reduce the hold the experience still has on you.

Common experiences we work with

• Anxiety before work or when seeing certain colleagues
• Hypervigilance, flashbacks, or trauma-like symptoms after sustained bullying
• Loss of confidence and imposter feelings
• Difficulty trusting managers or teams in a new role
• Anger, shame, or self-blame
• Decisions about HR, grievance, or leaving

How therapy helps

Bullying is linked to PTSD symptoms and sustained performance decline. Therapy offers a confidential space away from the workplace to process what happened, stabilise anxiety, and rebuild a sense of competence and boundary.

We may use trauma-informed CBT, EMDR where appropriate, or solution-focused work on your next practical steps. Typical courses often fall in the 8-20 session range depending on severity and goals.

Signs it may be time to seek help

Workplace bullying and harassment are linked in research to anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress. The UK's Health and Safety Executive treats work-related stress as a health and safety issue employers should manage. You may need psychological support when bullying affects your confidence, health, or ability to work, whether you are still in the role or have left.

Seeking therapy is not weakness; it is a practical step when mistreatment has gone beyond a difficult week or a single conflict.

• Dread or panic before work, Sundays, or meetings with certain people
• Sleep, appetite, or concentration worse since the bullying began
• Repeated humiliation, threats, exclusion, or undermining of your work
• Symptoms persist after leaving the job or confronting HR
• Self-blame, shame, or feeling you "should have coped better"
• Avoiding new opportunities because of fear it will happen again

What the evidence suggests

Meta-analyses of workplace bullying and mental health show consistent associations with psychological distress and reduced wellbeing. Interventions that combine emotional processing, cognitive restructuring of self-blame, and gradual confidence-building can reduce symptoms and support return to work or transition.

When bullying has been sustained or traumatic, trauma-focused approaches such as EMDR or trauma-informed CBT may be appropriate after stabilisation. Solution-focused work helps with practical decisions: boundaries, documentation, career moves, and rebuilding professional identity.

What a session looks like

Sessions are confidential and separate from HR or legal processes. We focus on how the experience affects you now: sleep, mood, self-worth, and choices ahead. You will not be pressed to confront your bully in therapy; the aim is recovery, clarity, and skills you can use in your next chapter.

If you are still in the role, we prioritise safety, grounding, and realistic coping while you consider options.

Accessing therapy at Door to Therapy

Recovery from workplace bullying is confidential psychological work, separate from HR grievances or legal action. Dr. Santiago de Ossorno is an HCPC-registered counselling psychologist offering sessions online across the UK and in London in person where available.

You can start with a free 15-minute consultation to discuss what happened, current symptoms, and whether trauma-focused or solution-focused work fits. If you are on sick leave, therapy can support return-to-work planning when you are ready.

Standard sessions are £80. Our pricing page includes an ROI calculator comparing the cost of therapy with the documented economic impact of untreated workplace stress and bullying.

What progress can look like

Progress does not mean forgetting what happened. It often means sleeping better, fewer intrusive memories of humiliation, and regaining confidence to interview or set boundaries in a new role.

Some clients stay for a focused block to stabilise mood; others use EMDR or CBT for trauma-like symptoms. We agree goals explicitly so you know when therapy has done its job.

Bullying, health, and the workplace

Organisational psychology research documents that targets of bullying often experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic symptoms at higher rates than non-targeted colleagues. The harm is not a character flaw; it is a predictable human response to sustained threat or humiliation in a setting where you need to remain.

Recovery involves both processing what happened and rebuilding agency: boundaries, narrative ("this was done to me, not who I am"), and practical planning. Therapy does not replace employment law advice, union support, or HR processes, but it addresses the psychological injury that those systems rarely treat.

Returning to work, whether the same employer or a new one, often triggers fear. Graded exposure to work tasks, cognitive work on self-blame, and stabilisation skills are evidence-informed steps we can take at your pace.

Your first appointment

The first contact can be a free 15-minute consultation to discuss what happened at work, current symptoms, and whether you are still in the role or on leave. We explain confidentiality and how therapy differs from HR or legal processes.

Assessment explores anxiety, sleep, trauma-like symptoms, self-blame, and your goals (recovery, decision about staying, return to work). We agree whether CBT, EMDR, or solution-focused work fits.

You may bring notes or a timeline of incidents if it helps. Many clients fear being judged for "not coping"; the session focuses on understanding impact and planning support.

Related resources

• Therapy pricing & ROI calculator →

  Estimate session costs and compare with the economic impact of untreated workplace bullying

• Emotional Mastery self-help programme →

  Processing anger, shame, and self-doubt after bullying, to complement therapy, not a substitute for live support

Approaches we use

Where we work

Frequently asked questions

Can therapy help if I am still in the job?

Yes. Many people seek support while still employed. We focus on coping, clarity, and protecting your health while you consider options. Therapy is confidential and separate from HR processes.

Is workplace bullying a form of trauma?

Sustained bullying can produce trauma-like symptoms. Assessment clarifies what fits and whether trauma-focused approaches such as EMDR would help.

What does therapy cost after workplace bullying?

Standard sessions are £80. Our pricing page includes a calculator that models the hidden costs of untreated bullying (absence, lost productivity) against the investment in recovery.

Can therapy help me decide whether to stay or leave?

Yes. We clarify what is changeable in your situation, what is harming your health, and what you want professionally. Therapy does not replace legal or union advice but supports the emotional side of big decisions.

Will therapy involve confronting my bully?

No. Therapy focuses on your recovery and choices, not confrontation. Role-play or assertiveness may be practised if you choose, but only in service of your goals.

Can EMDR help after workplace bullying?

When bullying has produced trauma-like symptoms (intrusive memories, hypervigilance), EMDR may be appropriate after stabilisation. Assessment determines whether trauma-focused work fits your presentation.

Is bullying therapy confidential from my employer?

Yes. Private therapy is separate from your employer unless you choose to share. Exceptions apply only if there is serious risk of harm or legal requirements, which we explain at the start.