School Refusal & Avoidance
School Refusal & Avoidance
School Refusal & Avoidance
Support for families in Hong Kong whose child or teen is struggling to attend school.
Evidence-based support for families facing school avoidance. Proven plans to help your teen get back on track.

About the speciality
About the speciality
If your child is resisting school, I'm here to support both them and your family. School refusal is usually anxiety teaching a child that avoidance equals safety, and a structured graded return works better than either forcing or waiting for readiness. Specializing in school avoidance, I help address the underlying fears using compassionate, evidence-based approaches, including the SPACE model when a child refuses to come in themselves. I also coach parents away from the patterns that quietly entrench avoidance, because nagging tends to teach a teen that responsibility belongs to the parent. The goal is to rebuild confidence and re-engage your child with learning, academically and socially.
If your child is resisting school, I'm here to support both them and your family. School refusal is usually anxiety teaching a child that avoidance equals safety, and a structured graded return works better than either forcing or waiting for readiness. Specializing in school avoidance, I help address the underlying fears using compassionate, evidence-based approaches, including the SPACE model when a child refuses to come in themselves. I also coach parents away from the patterns that quietly entrench avoidance, because nagging tends to teach a teen that responsibility belongs to the parent. The goal is to rebuild confidence and re-engage your child with learning, academically and socially.
If your child is resisting school, I'm here to support both them and your family. School refusal is usually anxiety teaching a child that avoidance equals safety, and a structured graded return works better than either forcing or waiting for readiness. Specializing in school avoidance, I help address the underlying fears using compassionate, evidence-based approaches, including the SPACE model when a child refuses to come in themselves. I also coach parents away from the patterns that quietly entrench avoidance, because nagging tends to teach a teen that responsibility belongs to the parent. The goal is to rebuild confidence and re-engage your child with learning, academically and socially.
FAQ about this service
FAQ about this service
FAQ about this service
General FAQs
ADHD
Anxiety
OCD
Screen Time
School Refusal
Defiant Behaviour, PDA, ODD
Parenting Support (SPACE Model)
Procrastination
Performance Psychology
Executive Coaching for Burnout
Substance Use
Does this actually work?
Do you work with the school too?
Do I have to wait for my child to want to go back?
What is school refusal?
What causes school refusal?
How do you help kids get back to school?
General FAQs
ADHD
Anxiety
OCD
Screen Time
School Refusal
Defiant Behaviour, PDA, ODD
Parenting Support (SPACE Model)
Procrastination
Performance Psychology
Executive Coaching for Burnout
Substance Use
Does this actually work?
Do you work with the school too?
Do I have to wait for my child to want to go back?
What is school refusal?
What causes school refusal?
How do you help kids get back to school?
More services
More services
More services

ADHD & Executive Functioning
ADHD & Executive Functioning
ADHD & Executive Functioning
Evidence-based ADHD support and strategies to sharpen focus, reduce overwhelm, and build confidence at school, work, and beyond.
Evidence-based ADHD support and strategies to sharpen focus, reduce overwhelm, and build confidence at school, work, and beyond.

Anxiety
Anxiety
Anxiety
Evidence-based anxiety treatment using CBT, ACT, and exposure therapy. Support for avoidance, worry, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm.
Evidence-based anxiety treatment using CBT, ACT, and exposure therapy. Support for avoidance, worry, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm.

OCD & Intrusive Thoughts
OCD & Intrusive Thoughts
OCD & Intrusive Thoughts
Targeted support using ERP, the gold-standard treatment for OCD, reducing intrusive thoughts and compulsions so you can regain control.
Targeted support using ERP, the gold-standard treatment for OCD, reducing intrusive thoughts and compulsions so you can regain control.

Screen Time & Digital Overuse
Screen Time & Digital Overuse
Screen Time & Digital Overuse
Structured, evidence-based support to reduce excessive screen time, restore balance, and strengthen real-world focus and connections.
Structured, evidence-based support to reduce excessive screen time, restore balance, and strengthen real-world focus and connections.
About the clinician
About the clinician
Dr Rick Smith, is a dual-doctorate clinical psychologist in Hong Kong specialising in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, executive functioning, and performance psychology. He works with adults and adolescents in his Central Hong Kong practice and online.
Dr Rick Smith, is a dual-doctorate clinical psychologist in Hong Kong specialising in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, executive functioning, and performance psychology. He works with adults and adolescents in his Central Hong Kong practice and online.
Dr Rick Smith, is a dual-doctorate clinical psychologist in Hong Kong specialising in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, executive functioning, and performance psychology. He works with adults and adolescents in his Central Hong Kong practice and online.
