Bullying: A Family and School System Treatment Model

Abstract

Because bullying is often conceptualized as a school problem, most interventions are school-based and exclude the family. However, joint family and school involvement must occur for long-term problem resolution. This article incorporates structural and narrative interventions within a family and school system treatment model comprised of the following stages: structuring change, changing the story, and solidifying change. The therapist helps to shift family structure, while also changing the dominant bullying story. This article also examines the appropriate implementation of the birth certificate for new identity formation, and death certificate for bullying cessation.