Course Summary
Practice Level: Intermediate
Bullying, now recognized as a major public health problem, is a prevalent and harmful behavior that is associated with mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviors, and other potentially long-lasting negative consequences (Bussey, 2023). Much bullying research focuses on the school context, yet many young people involved in bullying in that context do not receive the professional mental health support necessary to improve their mental health and well-being. Instead, bullying is commonly treated as though it is a discipline issue (particularly in schools), a harmless and temporary phase in development, and/or a preparatory experience for real life. Some may even claim that the victim is to blame for the bullying. Mental health providers including social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and counselors can debunk fallacies regarding bullying and intervene in a more appropriate, evidence-based, and effective manner.
Bullying is not just a problem in childhood and adolescence; bullying occurs among adults in workplaces, organizations, community settings, and many other contexts where adult relationships are present. However, this learning material focuses on school-age youth and examines types of bullying for this population, the roles of those involved in bullying, and ways to treat the bully, victim, and bystander. Participants in this learning material are provided with information about the dynamics of bullying and ways to apply appropriate and effective interventions.
Course Format
This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test. When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.
Learning Objectives
- Define bullying and types of bullying.
- Explain theoretical perspectives on bullying.
- Describe the roles of bullies, victims, and bystanders.
- Describe children and adolescents who are most at risk for involvement in bullying.
- Recognize common motivations for bullying.
- Explain the roles of the school and family.
- Compare the counseling approaches most appropriate for treating the bullying.
Course Syllabus
- Introduction
- An Overview of Bullying
- Definition
- Prevalence of Bullying
- Forms of Bullying
- Theoretical Perspectives
- Aggression
- Evolutionary Theory
- Social Learning
- Social Cognitive Theory
- Social Information Processing
- Moral Disengagement
- Attribution Theory
- The Biological Theory
- Participant Roles
- Bully
- Victim
- Bully/Victim
- Bystander
- Motivations for Bullying
- The Role of the School
- The Role of the Family
- Family Characteristics
- Sibling Bullying
- Family-School Interactions
- Treatment Approaches
- Family Therapy
- Individual Treatment
- Summary
Author
Dr. Sheri Bauman
Dr. Sheri Bauman is a professor emerita of counseling at the University of Arizona. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from New Mexico State University in 1999. Her passion for the well-being of children and adolescents began when she worked as a teacher and school counselor for 30 years and it continues in her current work as a researcher. Dr. Bauman conducts research on peer victimization, bullying, and cyberbullying and is currently co-principal investigator on a study regarding the effects of teacher practices on peer victimization and defending behaviors. She is a frequent presenter on peer victimization and bullying topics at local, state, national, and international conferences. She has over 70 publications in peer-reviewed journals and is the sole author of two books on cyberbullying. She is also the coauthor or chapter writer in over 20 books that cover topics such as aggression, bullying, and victimization.
Accreditation Approval Statements
CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/8/24-8/8/27.
Social workers completing this course receive 5 clinical continuing education credits.

CE4Less.com has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6991. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE4Less.com is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Level Education Group, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0835.
We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.