Applecross Community Psychologists

School Refusal

Psychologists to help you and your child deal with school refusal

School refusal is the refusal to attend school due to emotional distress. It is associated with an anxiety or fear towards attending school and is so much more than taking a day off. School refusal can significantly affect your child’s school attendance and also their physical and mental wellbeing.

Signs of School Refusal may include the following:

  • Tantrums, crying, or refusal to go to school
  • Extreme distress about being separated from you or the home before school
  • Intense feelings of nervousness about going to school
  • Complaints about feeling physically sick before or during school (stomach aches, diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness)
  • Refusal to leave the house or get out of the car to go to school
  • Constant visits to the school nurse feeling ill and asking to be sent home

What causes school refusal?

  • Anxiety about social situations
  • Anxiety around being separated by a parent or guardian
  • Learning difficulties
  • Stressful life events including parental separation, family illness or grief
  • Peer issues include bullying and conflict with friends
  • Difficulty transitioning to a new school or returning to school after a period of time away
  • Worry about something happening to the parent while at school
  • Worry about school performance
  • Anxiety related issues – Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder etc.

How can A resolution help you if your child is refusing to go to school?

There are sometimes long waitlists involved with seeing a school psychologist or your child may not wish to speak to someone or attend a session that is on school grounds.

We are here to help your child overcome these issues that are causing them distress and anguish over attending school and endeavour to find the root cause that is the underlying trigger for this behaviour.

What action can you take if you are experiencing School Refusal in your child?

Acting on the early signs of school refusal is important. You will need to receive a comprehensive evaluation from a qualified mental healthcare professional to help you identify the root cause of your child’s anxiety and refusal to attend school. An experienced professional will work with you to implement an effective plan to manage it.

As much as it is hard to do, keeping your child in school is the first step. Missing school only reinforces anxiety rather than alleviating it. We recommend the following coping strategies for you and your child to help overcome these stressful situations:

  • Provide clear & firm messages about school attendance
  • Offer rewards or incentives for school attendance
  • Ban or make enjoyable toys & electronic devices off limits
  • Consistent & joint approach with the other parent
  • Contact the school & teachers and discuss your concerns
  • Build a stable morning routine
  • Talk with your child about feelings and fears
  • Encourage hobbies and interests

How can A resolution help with School Refusal?

A resolution Applecross psychologists can help you recognise the early symptoms and warning signs of School Refusal.

Treatment for your child usually involves Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This form of therapy includes identifying unhelpful thoughts and beliefs. We will evaluate the evidence for and against those beliefs and work with your child to help them implement strategies to overcome these thought patterns on their own.

With the right tools and skills including relaxation, social skills and helpful thinking about school, your child will be able to attend school with new found strategies to help them through their day to day school life.

We will also work directly with you to help you understand why your child won’t go to school and support you with parenting strategies.

Where are you located?

A resolution Applecross can service clients throughout Perth looking for guidance on School Refusal. We are conveniently located just off the Kwinana Fwy. Nearby suburbs include South Perth, Manning, Booragoon, Victoria Park, Mount Pleasant, Rossmoyne, Brentwood, Willeton and more.

To learn more call today on 08 6336 8268

Topics we can help with

Our Child Psychology Team

Namrata Makhijini
Namrata Makhijini
Psychologist (On Leave)

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Rachael Tan
Clinical Psychologist

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Keara Wood
Psychologist

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Dr Andrew Stock
Senior Psychologist

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Picture of psychologist Henry James
Henry James
Psychologist

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FAQ

Your client data will remain safely secured within our existing practice management software, Cliniko. The only change is an administrative one: Therapy Partners Pty Ltd (trading as Aresolution) will now be responsible for managing your data and processing invoices moving forward.

Please be assured that this transition does not change how your data is handled, stored, or protected. Our strict commitment to privacy and confidentiality remains our highest priority.

For more details on the advanced security measures keeping your information safe, you can read about Cliniko’s Security and Privacy Features here.

Yes, absolutely! Heidi is not going anywhere. In fact, this transition is designed to let her step away from business administration and focus entirely on her true passion: clinical excellence, therapy, and supporting you and the clinical team.

Heidi is deeply committed to Aresolution and will continue seeing clients, networking, and collaborating closely with GPs over the next several years.

What to expect with your billing: To support this new structure, you will notice a small change on your paperwork down the track. In a few months, your invoices for sessions with Heidi Smith will feature a new ABN and a slightly updated invoice format. Rest assured, you remain fully a part of the Aresolution service—your  client file data, appointments, care plans, and the team welcoming you at the clinic stay exactly the same.

Yes, completely. Your relationship with your psychologist is our top priority. Our entire team of expert practitioners remains exactly the same, and your scheduled appointments, treatment plans, and ongoing care will continue without a single interruption.

The only change you will notice over the coming months is a minor update to the layout and ABN on your invoices as Therapy Partners takes over our backend administration. The high-quality care, familiar faces, and clinical team you trust are not changing.

Our session fees increased on the 6th July as part of our annual fee review process. Aside for this scheduled change, no our standard session fees remain exactly the same. Furthermore, there will be no changes or interruptions to how your Medicare, private health insurance, or NDIS rebates are processed. Our team will continue to submit your claims seamlessly through our practice software just as we do now.

You will continue to use the exact same contact channels. Our phone number, email addresses, and website booking systems remain completely unchanged. Our administrative team is staying on, so you will be speaking to the same familiar team members whenever you reach out to us.

If you are settling an invoice for a session that occurred on or before 12th July 2026, please use our historical payment details (listed on that specific invoice) or pay via our existing in-clinic EFTPOS machine. All services from 13th July 2026 onwards will be issued on our updated invoice template featuring our new parent entity banking details.

Where are you located?

A resolution Applecross has been proudly helping the people of Perth for over 10 years. Set in the heart of Applecross Community Village (Private entry on the first floor via stairs) and Reynolds Road Medical Centre (Wheelchair accessible). We are conveniently located just off the Kwinana Fwy. Nearby suburbs include South Perth, Como, Booragoon, Victoria Park, Mount Pleasant, Rossmoyne, Fremantle, Willeton and more.

Our couch, Your private space

Our private and warmly appointed rooms in Applecross provide the perfect space for you to begin your journey of self-development and start taking control of leading a more fulfilling life. We are located near Applecross Village with a private rear entry, upstairs at the back of the building.

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To Book your Appointment Phone Today 08 6117 8019