School Refusal And School Avoidance: Practical Steps When Nothing Seems to Help

Evidence-based support for emotionally based school refusal and avoidance.

When a child struggles to go to school - whether they make it through the door or not - parents can quickly find themselves caught between concern for their child and the pressure to just make it work, often trying everything and feeling like nothing helps. In this practical Talk, Dr Carolyne Keenan, Registered Psychologist, cuts through the confusion to explain what is really happening when a child refuses or resists school, why well-meaning reassurance so often backfires, and what the evidence tells us actually makes a difference.

Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience supporting families through anxiety, school avoidance and emotional difficulties, Carolyne combines psychological expertise with warmth and clarity to give you a clearer path forward, one that supports your child without leaving you running on empty.