Background

An 11-year-old boy was referred for therapy due to behavioural challenges and extremely low self-esteem. The client had experienced prolonged bullying related to his appearance and height, which negatively affected his self-image and confidence. His parents do not live together and frequently experience conflict. He also lives with two cousins with whom he has a difficult relationship. However, he reported a positive relationship with his sister and said he would like to spend more time with his father. The client had difficulty respecting his parents, teachers, and other adults. His behavioural challenges were understood within the context of his low self-esteem, family circumstances, and experiences of bullying.

Intervention

A strength-based approach was used to help the client identify and focus on his strengths, abilities, and positive attributes rather than concentrating on his perceived weaknesses. As part of the intervention, the client was given an activity to complete at home for one week. Each day, he recorded one positive thing he had done, such as helping someone, making a positive choice, or respecting his mother’s decision even when it was not the outcome he had hoped for. This activity encouraged the client to recognise his own capabilities and helped him develop a more positive perception of himself.

Outcome

The intervention helped the client recognise the positive contributions he makes and understand that he has valuable skills and abilities. His self-esteem improved, and he reported having a more positive image of himself. The client also developed healthier ways of responding to bullying. He reported making an effort to ignore or filter out negative comments from other learners and no longer engaging with the bullies. The client further acknowledged that some of his previous disrespectful behaviour came from feelings of insecurity. He reported improved cooperation with his mother and teachers, removing himself from negative situations at school, and putting greater effort into his schoolwork. Overall, the intervention contributed to improved self-esteem, behaviour, emotional awareness, and decision-making.