What do you do when your child won’t go to school… and it doesn’t feel like defiance? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore emotional based school avoidance (EBSA / EBSNA) – why it happens, when it’s most likely to start, and what actually helps children feel able to return to education.I’m joined by Educational Psychologist ⁨@Dr.AdamMcCartney⁩ and we discuss the psychology behind school refusal, the pressure on families and schools, and why one trusted teacher can sometimes make all the difference.If you’re a parent, professional, or aspiring psychologist trying to understand school anxiety, attendance difficulties, or child mental health, this episode will help you think about it differently.

⏱️ Timestamps

• 00:00 Why “school refusal” might be the wrong term
• 01:36 What is EBSA / EBSNA?
• 04:09 Changing attitudes to education
• 06:12 Attendance pressure and parental stress
• 08:52 Why support becomes harder over time
• 15:04 The most common age for school avoidance
• 16:42 Secondary school transitions explained
• 17:38 The power of one teacher relationship
• 19:01 School attendance pressures and systems
• 21:27 What parents can do to support their child
• 22:22 What good pastoral care actually looks like
• 23:45 Relational vs behavioural approaches
• 24:41 Supporting children without blame
• 27:11 Real-life parenting reflections
• 30:08 Why emotional validation matters

Links:

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