About bullying
Bullying at school or online can cause anxiety, isolation, low mood and school refusal. Psychological support helps the child or teenager and the family, and professionals can coordinate with the school. If there is immediate risk, involve the school and, if needed, the authorities.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Guatemala
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Colegio de Psicólogos de Guatemala. Psychologists practise as members (colegiados) of the Colegio de Psicólogos, created in 2007; ask for the colegiado number and confirm active status with the college.
- Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos de Guatemala. Doctors must be active members (registered with dues paid); the college issues a certificate of active membership (constancia de colegiado activo).
Urgent help in Guatemala
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 122 · Bomberos Voluntarios
- 1582 · 1582 Te Escucha – línea nacional de crisis en salud mental y prevención del suicidio
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: livinginguatemala.com, lahora.gt
Signs to look out for
Bullying is repeated, intentional harm by others, whether physical, verbal, social exclusion or online. Signs in a child or teenager may include not wanting to go to school, unexplained injuries or damaged belongings, changes in mood or sleep, headaches or stomach aches, dropping grades, losing friends, or becoming anxious after using their phone. Many young people do not tell adults straight away.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Effective responses combine action at school, with whole-school anti-bullying programmes and clear protocols, and emotional support for the young person. Psychologists, child and adolescent psychologists and educational psychologists can help with anxiety, low mood, self-esteem and social skills, often using cognitive-behavioural approaches. Family guidance helps parents respond calmly. Support may also be offered to those who bully.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services if a child or teenager has been seriously assaulted, is being threatened with violence, or expresses thoughts of suicide or self-harm, which should always be taken seriously. Seek urgent help too when there is sexual harassment, extortion or sharing of intimate images online, and keep evidence such as screenshots.
What you can do in the meantime
Listen calmly, believe the young person and tell them it is not their fault. Avoid confronting the other child or family directly; instead, document what happened and contact the school to agree on a plan. Help them stay connected to friends and activities outside school. Review privacy settings together for online bullying, and keep checking in regularly.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Guatemala?
Colegio de Psicólogos de Guatemala: Psychologists practise as members (colegiados) of the Colegio de Psicólogos, created in 2007; ask for the colegiado number and confirm active status with the college.