A new bullying prevention startup
Outside helps chronic bullying victims through counselor-led, Zoom-based group therapy cohorts.
One of the best interventions against chronic bullying is group therapy - an ideal setting to build social, problem-solving, and coping skills. Yet 98% of therapy is individual.
Why isn't there more group therapy?
- Sourcing groups of similar-aged students who are available at the same time requires a pool of participants larger than most communities
- Students are reluctant to report bullying in the first place
Our approach is simple:
- Zoom-based group therapy cohorts for bullying victims
- Cohorts are drawn from across the country, and no two attendees attend the same school
- For providers, we handle the marketing and administrative overhead so they simply need to login and provide care, while earning a higher rate than they would at an individual session
- For schools, we are a welcome resource they can share with parents
We've already proven this works:
For the past two years, we have supported a bullying research clinic to pilot this program, and the results look great. Learn more about the pilot at the Bullying Research and Victim Empowerment (BRAVE) Lab.
Get in touch
If you'd like to learn more about the program, explore a partnership, or ask a question, email us at team@outsidesupport.org.
Research
Our approach is grounded in research on bullying victimization, mental health impacts, and effective interventions.
Research underway
Bullying, Empowerment, and Learning Online Network Group (BELONG)
BRAVE Lab, University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Program details
- Free online group program led by trained facilitators for middle school students (grades 6-8) who have experienced bullying.
- Six-week weekly Zoom sessions with a facilitator and 4-5 same-age, same-gender peers.
- Focuses on identifying bullying, building problem-solving and coping skills, and strengthening peer connections.
Research papers
Empirical and theoretical foundations of family interventions to reduce the incidence and mental health impacts of school bullying victimization
Karyn L. Healy, Hannah J. Thomas, Matthew R. Sanders & James G. Scott (2022)
International Review of Psychiatry, 34:2, 140-153. DOI
- "There has been substantial longitudinal research on the relationship between the ability to regulate emotions and bullying victimisation: internalising problems are both risk factors and consequences of bullying."
- "Emotional reactivity or dysregulation has been found to be the single most important predictor in the emergence of chronic victimisation."
- "Supportive relationships with both peers and family are protective against bullying victimisation and the mental health consequences of being bullied."
Examining the Effectiveness of School-Bullying Intervention Programs Globally: a Meta-analysis
Gaffney, H., Farrington, D.P. & Ttofi, M.M. (2019)
International Journal of Bullying Prevention, 1, 14-31. DOI
- Online environments can encourage disclosure about bullying due to perceived anonymity, trust, and privacy.
Hypotheses for possible iatrogenic impacts of school bullying prevention programs
Karyn L. Healy (2020)
Child Development Perspectives, 14(4), 221-228.
- Discusses how some school anti-bullying policies can be counterproductive.
Method of Nursing Interventions to Reduce the Incidence of Bullying and Its Impact on Students in School: A Scoping Review
Yosep, I.; Hikmat, R.; Mardhiyah, A.; Hazmi, H.; Hernawaty, T. (2022)
Healthcare, 10, 1835. DOI
- Resilience-based group programs can be an effective intervention to reduce bullying.
Advisors
We are supported by a panel of experts in clinical care, research, and bullying prevention.
Emilea Rejman, M.A., PLMHP