Masters in Practice: School Refusal Behavior & Family Collaboration w/ Tom Brant, Eric Elias, & Courtney Huguenin

School refusal isn’t just about kids staying home. It shows up in subtle ways—frequent nurse visits, missed classes, late arrivals, and quiet disengagement that often goes unnoticed until it becomes a major problem.

In this episode, we break down what’s actually driving school refusal behavior and why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Drawing from real clinical and school-based experience, we explore the four core functions behind these behaviors and how they often overlap in ways that make intervention more complex than it seems.

You’ll hear how anxiety, avoidance, attention-seeking, and access to more rewarding alternatives all play a role—and how modern factors like virtual learning, technology, and shifting family dynamics are changing the landscape.

We also walk through practical, evidence-based strategies that clinicians, schools, and families can use together. From distress tolerance and exposure work to environmental changes and caregiver collaboration, this episode focuses on what actually helps move kids back toward consistent school engagement.

If you’re working with students who are struggling to attend—or families who feel stuck—this conversation will give you a clearer framework and more confidence in how to respond.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"