A Cry for Help How One Boy’s Bullying Led to Healing and Hope

Recognising the Pain Behind the Behaviour Where Johnny’s Struggles Began

Johnny’s parents were devastated when, during a parents’ evening at his school, they were told that their son had become the school bully. This revelation hit them hard as it went against everything they had taught him. What they didn’t realise at the time was that Johnny’s behaviour wasn’t just mischief, it was a cry for help.

Johnny, a once gentle and kind boy, had been tormenting other children, making them feel unsafe and distressed. The school staff described his actions as cruel and disruptive, and Johnny had even formed a reputation for being someone to avoid.

His parents, who had always prided themselves on fostering a loving and supportive home, couldn’t believe it.

They knew Johnny as a fun-loving, smart, and empathetic boy—so how had he turned into someone who caused harm to others?

They struggled to reconcile this new reality with the child they thought they knew so well.

At first, Johnny’s parents tried to take the traditional approach to discipline.

They imposed punishments at home, took away privileges, and spoke to him repeatedly about the importance of kindness and respect.

His teachers at school did the same, enforcing consequences like detention, extra assignments, and even talking to Johnny about how his actions were affecting others.

However, despite these efforts, nothing seemed to change. Johnny’s bullying behaviour continued, and his parents’ hearts sank deeper with each passing day.

Seeking Belonging The Emotional Root Behind the Bullying

As the days went on, Johnny’s parents began to notice something troubling. Despite the strict punishments, Johnny didn’t seem remorseful for his actions. In fact, he appeared indifferent to the consequences.

It was as though the more his parents tried to correct his behaviour, the more defiant he became. His relationship with them grew strained, and their once joyful and open conversations turned into heated arguments.

Johnny didn’t seem to care about the rules anymore, nor did he seem to understand the seriousness of the situation.

During one particularly difficult evening, Johnny’s mother sat down with him to try to understand what was going on inside his mind.

After a long conversation, Johnny admitted something that shocked her:

“I thought if I acted tough, the other kids would like me more. If I made them scared of me, they’d respect me.”

His words were raw and full of confusion, and for the first time, his parents understood that Johnny wasn’t bullying others because he was inherently cruel.

Instead, Johnny’s bullying was a cry for help—he wanted to be liked, to be seen, and to feel accepted.

Johnny’s self-esteem was at an all-time low. He had always struggled with forming meaningful friendships at school. His classmates seemed to form tight-knit groups, and Johnny, despite his intelligence and good nature, had trouble fitting in.

He often felt like an outsider, watching from the side lines as others bonded and laughed together. Johnny felt invisible.

The idea that bullying others could make him popular seemed to be his solution to this painful isolation. But instead of bringing him closer to the peers he longed to impress, it only drove them further away.

Johnny was trapped in a cycle of loneliness, frustration, and misguided attempts at gaining approval.

Seeking Help: The Search for a Better Solution

Johnny’s parents, realising that their traditional methods of discipline were ineffective, decided that they needed to explore a new approach. They now understood that Johnny’s behaviour had always been a cry for help, an outward expression of the emotional pain and confusion he couldn’t articulate.

 Johnny wasn’t just a bully; he was a child in pain, someone struggling with self-worth and emotional turmoil. His parents understood that to help him, they needed to go beyond the surface-level behaviours and find the emotional triggers that were driving him.

After much research and consideration, Johnny’s parents reached out to an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) coach and a clinical hypnotherapist.

They hoped that these alternative therapies would provide the breakthrough that traditional methods had failed to deliver.

The goal wasn’t just to stop Johnny from bullying; it was to help him understand himself, heal the wounds that were causing his behaviour, and develop healthier ways to cope with his emotions.

New Tools for Healing What Johnny Learned Through NLP and Hypnosis

When Johnny first started working with the NLP coach and hypnotherapist, he was initially sceptical. He wasn’t sure how talking about his feelings or using hypnosis could change anything. But his parents reminded him that this was about understanding what had driven his actions, that his bullying had always been a cry for help, not just bad behaviour.

The NLP coach began by helping Johnny identify the specific beliefs and thought patterns that were shaping his behaviour. Through a series of exercises, Johnny was encouraged to reflect on his past experiences, his feelings of loneliness, and the ways in which he viewed himself and others.

The coach used techniques to reframe Johnny’s thinking, teaching him how to challenge negative beliefs and replace them with healthier, more constructive ones.

For example, Johnny learned that his belief that bullying would make him more popular was based on an assumption he had created in his mind. He was convinced that if he made others feel inferior, he would somehow feel more important.

But through NLP, Johnny was able to see that this was a false belief—one that had been shaped by his deep desire for approval rather than by any real understanding of friendship or connection. The coach helped Johnny realize that true popularity wasn’t about being feared; it was about being kind, respectful, and authentic.

Meanwhile, the clinical hypnotherapist worked with Johnny to uncover the deeper emotional triggers behind his actions. Hypnotherapy allowed Johnny to relax deeply and access his subconscious mind.

Through a series of guided visualizations, Johnny began to recall moments from his past where he felt particularly lonely, rejected, or misunderstood. These experiences were stored in his subconscious and had been influencing his behaviour in ways Johnny hadn’t fully realized.

In one session, Johnny vividly recalled a time when he had been rejected by a group of kids he tried to befriend. The memory was painful, and it opened up a floodgate of emotions.

For the first time, Johnny allowed himself to fully experience the sadness and rejection he had been carrying inside. With the hypnotherapist’s guidance, Johnny was able to process these feelings and release the emotional weight that had been holding him back.

The Road to Self-Worth: Johnny’s Healing Journey

As Johnny continued with his NLP and hypnotherapy sessions, significant changes began to take place. He started to feel more in control of his emotions. The anger and frustration that had once driven his bullying behaviour slowly dissipated, replaced by a sense of self-awareness and understanding.

Through NLP, Johnny learned to recognize when his old thought patterns—those that told him he needed to act tough to be liked—began to surface. He practiced new ways of thinking and reacting, focusing on kindness and empathy rather than fear and aggression. With each session, Johnny felt more empowered to be himself, to speak his truth, and to connect with others on a deeper level.

In his hypnotherapy sessions, Johnny began to visualize himself in situations where he had previously felt anxious or insecure. With the support of the therapist, Johnny created new mental images of himself confidently approaching others, making friends, and building positive relationships. He saw himself as someone worthy of respect and kindness, and this newfound belief began to shape his reality.

Healing in Action How Johnny Began to Thrive

Over time, Johnny’s behaviour began to change in noticeable ways. At school, his teachers and classmates started to see a different side of him.

He was no longer the child who bullied others to get attention. Instead, Johnny became a more thoughtful and considerate student. He reached out to his peers in a positive, non-threatening way, and gradually, he started to make friends who appreciated him for who he truly was.

Johnny’s parents, too, saw a transformation. They no longer had to worry about constant discipline and conflict. Instead, they saw a young boy who was learning to navigate his emotions, someone who was starting to believe in his own worth. Johnny’s relationship with his parents improved as well.

They no longer felt like they were fighting a losing battle with him; they were able to communicate openly and supportively.

Long-Term Change The Power of Getting to the Root Cause

Johnny’s story is a testament to the power of understanding the underlying causes of behaviour. Through the combination of NLP and clinical hypnotherapy, Johnny was able to break free from the cycle of bullying and emotional pain.

He learned to understand his feelings, let go of the negative beliefs that had been driving him, and develop healthier, more constructive ways of connecting with others.

Today, Johnny is a more confident, empathetic, and socially connected young person. His parents are grateful for the intervention that changed their family’s life, and Johnny is grateful for the opportunity to finally be himself without fear or anger.

This case study demonstrates how, by getting to the root cause of a child’s behaviour, we can create lasting change. Through NLP and hypnotherapy, Johnny was able to transform his emotional state, build healthier relationships, and ultimately overcome the bullying behaviour that had once defined him.