School Stress & Avoidance

Stomachaches every Monday. Tears at the car door. Calls from the nurse. A kid who used to like school and now can't make it through the week. Or a teen who's technically going, but is so stressed they're barely holding on.

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When school becomes the hard part, the whole family feels it. And the longer a kid stays out, the harder it gets to go back.

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How I help

First, we figure out what's really going on. Is it anxiety, a friend situation, learning stuff, something at home, or a mix? Then we build a plan to get back in, in steps that feel doable for your kid, not all at once.

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I teach kids skills to handle the hard moments, and I help parents with the morning piece, which is often the toughest part of the day.

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I know schools from the inside

Before starting MCC, I ran a school counseling department for 14 years. I know how schools work, who to talk to, and what's realistic to ask for, whether that's accommodations, a 504 plan, a modified schedule, or a medical leave and a plan to return.

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When it's helpful, and with your OK, I'm glad to work directly with your child's school so everyone is pulling in the same direction.

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Getting started

I see kids from age 6 through college students, in person in Milton or by telehealth, with morning, evening, and Sunday times that work around the school day. It starts with a free 30-minute call with me.