Gentle Support for School Refusal and Anxiety
Support for Today.
Confidence for Tomorrow.
We help teens overcome school refusal and anxiety with compassionate therapy, practical strategies and family support, so they can feel safe, confident and ready to re-engage with school and life.
We Can Help With
Back-to-school anxiety
Exam stress and academic pressure
Separation anxiety
Bullying and peer relationship issues
Friendship difficulties
Low self-esteem and confidence
ADHD and school challenges
Burnout and overwhelm
What is School Refusal?
School refusal is when a child or teenager experiences significant emotional distress that makes it hard, sometimes impossible, to attend school. It’s not about skipping or laziness. It’s often a sign of anxiety, overwhelm or unmet needs.
With the right support, most young people can return to school and thrive.
Who can it affect?
School refusal can affect children and teens of all ages, including:
✓ Primary school children
✓ High school students
✓ Neurodivergent children (e.g. autism, ADHD)
✓ Children with anxiety, OCD or emotional difficulties
What causes school refusal?
Every child is different, but common underlying factors include:
- Anxiety (social, generalised or separation anxiety)
- Bullying or social difficulties
- Academic pressure or learning challenges
- Changes at home or in the family
- Trauma or past negative experiences
- Perfectionism or fear of failure
- Neurodivergence (autism, ADHD)
- Sensory sensitivities
- Low self-esteem
- Overwhelm and emotional exhaustion
FAQ’s
How can counselling help with school refusal?
Counselling provides a safe space for children and teenagers to explore what is making school difficult. Therapy can help reduce anxiety, build confidence, develop coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and support a gradual return to education where appropriate.
Do you work with parents as well as children?
Yes. Supporting parents is often an important part of helping a child overcome school refusal. We can help parents better understand what their child is experiencing, develop practical strategies, and feel more confident in supporting their child through difficult periods.
Do you work with schools?
Where appropriate and with consent, we can work alongside schools and other professionals to support a child's wellbeing. Collaboration can help create a more consistent and supportive approach both at home and within the educational environment.
How long does it take to overcome school refusal?
Every child is different. Some children respond quickly to support, while others need a longer-term approach. The sooner support is accessed, the better the chances of preventing difficulties from becoming more entrenched.
Should I force my child to go to school?
This is often one of the most difficult questions for parents. While school attendance is important, forcing a highly distressed child to attend can sometimes increase anxiety and make the situation worse. Understanding the underlying causes and seeking appropriate support is usually the most effective first step.
- Our Approach
We take a whole-person, trauma-informed approach. We listen, we collaborate and we celebrate every small win. Our goal is to help your child feel safe, capable and connected again.
We Can Help With
Frequent complaints of headaches, stomach aches or feeling unwell, particularly before school
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up in the morning
Avoiding conversations about school or withdrawing from friends and activities
Crying, emotional outbursts or panic when it’s time to leave for school
Regularly asking to stay home or refusing to attend school
A noticeable drop in grades, motivation, confidence or engagement with learning
Child & Teen Therapy in Poole & Dorset
ReWellness provides specialist therapy for children and teenagers from our welcoming counselling centre in Broadstone, Poole. We support young people across Poole, Bournemouth, Wimborne, Christchurch and Dorset through both in-person and online sessions.
Early support makes a big difference.
The sooner we understand what’s behind your child’s distress, the sooner we can help them feel better and get back to what matters.
Not sure where to start?
Our friendly team can help you find the right support for you or your loved one