Stalking
Stalking is a pattern of persistent, unwanted behaviour that causes fear, distress, or alarm. It is a criminal offence and its psychological impact can be severe and long-lasting. This page explains what stalking is, how it affects people, and how therapy can help.
Stalking is a pattern of fixated, obsessive, and unwanted behaviour directed at a specific person that causes them to feel afraid, harassed, or distressed. It is a criminal offence in the UK under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. Therapy can help you process the psychological impact, rebuild your sense of safety, and develop strategies for moving forward.
What Is Stalking?
Stalking involves repeated, unwanted contact or behaviour directed at a specific person. It can take many forms:
- Following, watching, or monitoring someone's movements
- Repeated unwanted contact by phone, text, email, or social media
- Sending unwanted gifts or letters
- Turning up uninvited at someone's home, workplace, or social events
- Surveillance – including using technology to track someone's location or activity
- Threats – direct or implied
- Contacting a person's friends, family, or colleagues
- Damaging property
- Spreading false information or making false accusations
- Cyberstalking – online harassment, monitoring, and intimidation
Stalking is not always committed by strangers. In many cases, the stalker is a former partner, a colleague, an acquaintance, or someone known to the victim.
The Psychological Impact of Stalking
Stalking is one of the most psychologically damaging crimes. Research consistently shows that its impact is severe and can persist long after the stalking stops:
- Hypervigilance – constantly scanning for danger
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and difficulty feeling safe
- Sleep disturbance and nightmares
- Depression and emotional exhaustion
- Difficulty trusting others
- Changes in behaviour – avoiding certain places, changing routines, withdrawing socially
- Impact on work, relationships, and daily functioning
- Physical health effects including chronic stress, fatigue, and immune dysfunction
Many stalking victims describe feeling like they are living in a permanent state of alert. The unpredictability of the stalker's behaviour is a significant part of what makes it so damaging.
The Legal Position
Stalking is a criminal offence in the UK. The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 created specific stalking offences. Stalking that causes fear of violence or serious alarm or distress can carry a maximum sentence of ten years.
Stalking Protection Orders can also be applied for by the police to restrict a stalker's behaviour.
Therapy for Stalking
I have specialist training and experience in working with clients affected by stalking. I also deliver training on stalking awareness for mental health practitioners and public services professionals. Training
Therapy for stalking provides a space to:
- Process the fear, anxiety, and hypervigilance
- Rebuild your sense of safety – both psychologically and practically
- Address the impact on your relationships, work, and daily life
- Understand and manage trauma responses
- Develop strategies for moving forward
- Reclaim your sense of autonomy and control
I work as an integrative psychotherapist. All sessions are held online via a secure video platform, making support accessible from anywhere in the UK. Online sessions can be particularly beneficial for stalking clients, as they remove the need to travel to a fixed location. Online Therapy UK
If You Are Currently Being Stalked
If you are currently being stalked, your safety is the priority. The National Stalking Helpline (0808 802 0300) can provide specialist advice and support. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Therapy can run alongside safety planning and any legal action you may be taking. We can work together on both the practical and emotional aspects of your situation.
Scope and Boundaries
This page covers stalking as a specific form of harm – what it is, its psychological impact, and how therapy can help. For the broader context of power and control, see Power and Control. For coercive control, see Coercive Control. This page does not provide legal advice or replace specialist stalking support services.
Crisis and Emergency Support
If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services by calling 999. Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours, free). National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours, free). Crisis and Emergency Guidance
What counts as stalking?
Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviour that causes fear, alarm, or distress. This includes following, monitoring, unwanted contact, surveillance, threats, and cyberstalking. A single act may not constitute stalking, but a pattern of behaviour – even if each individual act seems minor – can amount to stalking under UK law.
Is stalking always by a stranger?
No. In the majority of cases, the stalker is someone known to the victim – often a former partner. Stalking can also be carried out by acquaintances, colleagues, neighbours, or people met online.
Can therapy help while I am still being stalked?
Yes. Therapy can help you manage the psychological impact, develop coping strategies, and maintain your wellbeing while the situation is ongoing. Your safety is always the priority, and we can work alongside any safety measures or legal processes you have in place.
How long do the effects of stalking last?
The effects can persist for years after the stalking stops. Many people continue to experience hypervigilance, anxiety, and difficulty trusting others long after they are physically safe. There is no expected timeline for recovery, and therapy can help whenever you are ready.
Do you have specialist experience in stalking?
Yes. I have specialist training in stalking awareness and its psychological impact. I also deliver training on this topic for mental health practitioners and public services professionals.
If you have been affected by stalking and would like to explore therapy, I offer a short, free introductory call. There is no obligation.