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◈ Specializations

School-Related Issues

Supporting children and teens who are struggling with school anxiety, avoidance, academic pressure, or challenges related to school life.

Children · Teens · In-person & Virtual
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When School Becomes a Source of Stress

School takes up a huge amount of a child or teen's life and when it becomes a source of significant stress, anxiety, or dread, it affects everything. Academic pressure, social challenges, fear of failure, difficulty concentrating, or an overwhelming reluctance to attend can all signal that a child or teen needs support.

School avoidance and school-related anxiety have become increasingly common. For some children and teens, the thought of going to school triggers intense physical symptoms: stomachaches, headaches, panic. For others, the struggle is less visible: shutting down at homework time, avoiding participation, or feeling chronically overwhelmed by what is expected of them.

Therapy at Little Waves helps children and teens understand what is driving their school-related struggles, develop practical tools for managing stress and anxiety, and rebuild a more positive and manageable relationship with the school environment.

What We Work On
  • School refusal and avoidance
  • Test anxiety and performance fears
  • Perfectionism and fear of failure
  • Managing academic pressure and overwhelm
  • Transitioning to a new school or grade
  • Social anxiety in the school setting
  • Concentration difficulties and staying on task
  • Building a sustainable and healthier relationship with school

School-related anxiety and avoidance are not signs of laziness or weakness. They are signs that a child or teen is overwhelmed and with the right support, things can genuinely improve.

◈ How We Help

Approaches Used

1

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Helps children and teens identify and challenge the anxious or avoidant thinking patterns that make school feel overwhelming: building more balanced responses and reducing avoidance.

2

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Developing a healthier relationship with academic pressure, perfectionism, and the discomfort of challenge and learning to act in line with values even when things feel difficult.

3

Mindfulness-Based Practice

Building calm, grounding, and present-moment awareness to manage the stress and overwhelm that school demands can bring.

4

Strengths-Based Approach

Reconnecting children and teens with what they are good at and what matters to them: building motivation and a sense of capability that extends into the school setting.

Help your child get back on track at school

Every journey starts with a first step. Reach out and we'll find the right path forward for your child or teen, together.

66 Centre St, Thornhill, ON · In-person & virtual sessions available