School Refusal & Anxiety Coaching
From stuck at home to back to life
Helping teens and their families get functioning again when anxiety has disrupted school and daily life.
A brief perspective on school refusal- and why support needs to extend beyond sessions and plans.
“Our child never could have accessed school and made it through the door without Sheree’s experience and support. I’ll never forget her coaching- both for me as a parent and for my child- during those dark days of school avoidance, separation anxiety, OCD, and more. Sometimes just getting through the school door really is more than half the battle. Baby steps matter. Families who need this support should absolutely reach out.”
— Parent of a child with school avoidance
If your family feels stuck, you’re not alone.
Many families come to us when anxiety has taken over daily life.
You might recognize yourselves here:
Your teen isn’t going to school, or getting them there has become a daily battle
Therapy is happening, but life still isn’t working at home or school
Your child is withdrawing, isolating, or avoiding responsibilities
One child’s distress seems to run the entire household
You’re carrying the emotional and logistical load for everyone
What parents often say is:
“Our whole life revolves around managing anxiety, and we’re exhausted.”
This isn’t a parenting failure. It’s what happens when anxiety starts running the system.
What we focus on instead
We help families move out of constant crisis mode and back toward functioning by supporting the whole system, not just one person.
That means:
Helping teens build distress tolerance and re-engage with daily life
Coaching parents on how to respond in ways that reduce power struggles and dependence
Putting structure and scaffolding in place so routines run more smoothly
Collaborating with schools and other providers so everyone is working toward the same goals
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is that life starts working again.
What Success Looks Like
Success in coaching isn’t perfection - it’s progress you can feel.
Here are the changes families start to notice:
✔ Mornings become calmer, not chaotic
✔ Teens tolerate distress they used to avoid
✔ School attendance improves, step by step
✔ Power struggles decrease in frequency and intensity
✔ Parents feel supported - not alone
✔ Family life becomes manageable again
✔ Peace increases; conflict decreases
This isn’t a checklist.
It’s a transformation toward a
life that works, not just survives.
Who this is for
Choice Point Coaching is a match for families who:
Are exhausted from
managing anxiety day after day
Have teens with chronic
avoidance or school refusal
Have tried therapy
but still feel stuck
Want partnered support
for the whole system
Know that real change
takes more than insight
Want structure, strategy, and consistency
This is for
families who:
Are ready to move toward daily functioning,
not just talk about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from
weekly therapy or coaching?
Choice Point Coaching provides high-touch, system-level support, not just a weekly session.
Families often come to us when therapy has helped with insight, but daily life is still difficult. We focus on what happens between sessions: school mornings, routines, avoidance, power struggles, and follow-through.
Our work includes:
Coaching for the teen
Coaching for parents
Collaboration with schools and other providers
Support between sessions
The goal is to help life start working again, not just talk about anxiety.
Who is this coaching
best suited for?
This work is best suited for families who:
Have a teen experiencing significant anxiety, avoidance, or school disruption
Feel exhausted from managing daily life around one child’s distress
Have tried therapy or programs and still feel stuck
Want support for the whole system, not just the child
Are ready for consistent, engaged support
If you’re looking for quick tips or surface-level advice, this likely isn’t the right fit.
How long do families
usually work with you?
Most families work with us for 3–6 months, depending on the level of avoidance, family stress, and complexity of the system.
Our focus is on creating meaningful, sustainable change, not quick fixes.
Is this an investment?
Yes. This is an investment because the support is intensive and comprehensive.
Families aren’t paying for sessions, they’re investing in relief, structure, and the support needed to move out of crisis mode and back toward functioning.
The exact investment is discussed during a consult so families can understand what’s included and decide if it’s the right fit.
What happens during a consult?
A consult is a conversation, not a sales call.
We’ll talk about what’s happening in your family, what you’ve already tried, and what kind of support might be most helpful. You’ll leave with clarity about next steps, whether or not we decide to work together.
Do you work with schools
or other providers?
Yes. Coaching is most effective when everyone is aligned.
We collaborate with schools, therapists, and other providers so families aren’t coordinating everything on their own and the support is consistent across environments.
What if my child is resistant
or doesn’t want help?
This is very common, and it doesn’t mean coaching won’t work.
Much of our work focuses on reducing power struggles, shifting dynamics, and helping teens engage in ways that feel manageable and respectful. Progress often begins with changes in the system, not immediate buy-in from the teen.
Is this coaching or therapy?
This is coaching.
We focus on building distress tolerance, daily functioning, routines, and practical life skills. Coaching often complements therapy and helps translate insight into action.
What if we’re not sure
this is the right fit?
That’s exactly what the consult is for.
If this level of support isn’t the right next step, we’ll talk honestly about that. Our goal is clarity, not pressure.