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The WHY Does Not Matter: A discussion about school refusal

Previously Recorded
Michelle Steinberg Halon, LMHC
$29.99 Cost For Member: $19.99

I am proposing a presentation on the critical issue of school refusal, a growing challenge affecting students, families, and educators worldwide. My talk will explore the underlying causes of school refusal, including anxiety, trauma, and neurodivergence, while providing practical strategies for early identification and intervention. By drawing on research, case studies, and real-world solutions, I will offer a comprehensive approach that equips schools and caregivers with the tools they need to support struggling students and help them reintegrate successfully into the classroom.

With a background in education and counseling, I bring firsthand knowledge of the complexities surrounding school refusal and the impact it has on a child’s academic and emotional well-being. My session will be interactive, offering real-life scenarios and evidence-based interventions that empower parents to collaborate with educators effectively. By addressing school refusal with empathy and proactive solutions, we can create a more inclusive educational environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation at the Nefesh Conference

About the Presenter

Michelle Steinberg is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Long Island Behavioral Psychology. She received her LMHC at Bellevue University. She was previously the Chief Operating Officer at Pathways CBT foundation, where she taught Social-Emotional Learning to elementary school children, and worked as a clinician within a school setting. She has spent the last 20 years working with school aged children. Her experience on school guidance teams has guided her clinical experience, and shaped her clinical expertise in navigating between the home and school environment.  

Michelle specializes in:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, for anxiety, OCD, tics, and BFRBs in children, teens, and adults

Parenting, including helping parents work on their child’s anxiety (SPACE treatment), and behavior problems (Behavioral Parent Training)

and Couples counseling  

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify common behavioral, emotional, and academic warning signs associated with school refusal in children and adolescents.
  2. Describe key contributing factors to school refusal, including anxiety, trauma, neurodivergence, and post-pandemic stressors.x
  3. Apply evidence-based strategies for early intervention, family collaboration, and school reintegration to support students experiencing school refusal.

Agenda:

00:00 - 00:10 | Introduction & Defining School Refusal

  • Welcome and speaker introduction

  • Distinction between school refusal, school avoidance, and truancy

  • Overview of the prevalence and impact on students, families, and schools

00:10 - 00:20 | Understanding the Root Causes

  • Anxiety, depression, and trauma-related school avoidance

  • Neurodivergence (e.g., autism, ADHD) and sensory sensitivities

  • Family dynamics, school-related stressors, and bullying

  • Post-pandemic challenges affecting school attendance

00:20 - 00:25 | Identifying Early Warning Signs & Assessment Strategies

  • Behavioral, emotional, and academic red flags

  • The role of teachers, school counselors, and parents in early identification

  • Overview of assessment tools and screening methods

  • Interactive exercise: Attendees identify warning signs in case examples

00:25 - 00:40 | Intervention Strategies & Best Practices

  • Collaborative problem-solving with students and families

  • Gradual reintegration plans and flexible accommodations

  • School-based mental health support and community resources

  • Case study: A successful intervention in practice

00:40 - 00:45 | Small Group Discussion & Strategy Building

  • Attendees share challenges from their own experiences

  • Group brainstorming on potential solutions and action plans

00:45 - 01:00 | Q&A & Closing Remarks

  • Open floor for participant questions

  • Summary of key takeaways and practical next steps

  • Resources for further learning and professional development

This workshop offers 1 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: introductory
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.