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?

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.

About me

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.

About me

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.

About me