School Refusal Program

Welcome to Our School Refusal Program: Supporting Your Child in Finding Their Courage to Return to School

We know this is hard. School refusal isn’t just about missing school; it’s about your child feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or afraid. If you’re like most families, the dread and panic surrounding going to school is probably affecting everyone in the house. If you’re here, it means you’re looking for solid strategies that will help calm the waves at home and support your child in going back to school with confidence. Our School Refusal Program is designed to help your child face these challenges with compassion, courage, and evidence-based strategies, so they can get back to school with confidence, in as little as 5 weeks.

Our Approach: Rooted in Connection, Courage, and Change

At MQA, we believe that healing and growth happen in connection. Our approach isn’t just about getting your child back to school. It’s about empowering them to face their fears, manage their emotions, and rebuild trust in themselves and the world around them. We combine the best of research-backed therapies—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP), SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), and parent/teacher collaboration—to guide your family through this journey.

What We Offer:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you and your child understand and change the thought patterns that fuel anxiety. In our work together, your child will start to identify the unspoken fears that have been holding them back and practice healthier, more supportive ways of thinking, so they can move forward even when fear is present.
2. Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP): We don’t believe in avoiding fear—we believe in building the courage to face it. E/RP is a powerful tool that helps children gradually face the things they fear in a safe, controlled way, which allows your child’s emotional resilience to grow stronger with each step.
3. SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions): As parents, you’re not just there to support your child—you’re their guide. SPACE gives you the tools to nurture your child’s emotional growth by finding a good balance between providing comfort and encouraging growth.
4. Parent & Teacher Collaboration: Children thrive when the adults in their lives work together. That’s why we prioritize communication between you and your child’s teachers. By building a shared understanding of your child’s needs, we ensure a supportive, consistent environment both at home and at school. It’s all about teamwork—because your child deserves it.

Our 5-Week Commitment: Helping Your Child Find Their Path Back to School

>We know how overwhelming this journey can feel, but we also know it’s possible to make real change in a short amount of time. Our School Refusal Program is designed to help your child return to school in as little as 5 weeks, with measurable progress along the way. Here’s what you can expect:

• A personalized approach: We’ll create a plan that honors your child’s unique needs, with clear steps toward progress.
• Ongoing support: Our team will be by your side, offering encouragement, guidance, and expertise every step of the way.
• Open, honest communication: You’ll be in constant contact with us, as well as your child’s teachers, to ensure a united, compassionate approach.
• Real, lasting progress:Your child will not only return to school—they will do so with the emotional tools to manage anxiety and overcome obstacles.