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Emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA): A multi-systemic cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) approach to problematic attendance
Discover a multi-systemic CBT approach to help children and adolescents overcome EBSA and improve attendance through collaboration with families and schools.
The emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA): A multi-systemic and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)-based approach to problematic attendance’ webinar provides a comprehensive and practical framework for understanding, assessing, and treating school avoidance behaviours and attendance-related challenges in children and adolescents.
School avoidance is a complex, multi-faceted issue that requires an integrated approach addressing mental health, family dynamics, educational systems, and broader social factors. This workshop explores the four primary functions of school avoidance (anxiety-based, social/evaluative distress, attention-seeking, and tangible rewards) and introduces a tiered intervention model to support students at various levels of absenteeism severity.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the complexities of emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA)
- Define EBSA and distinguish it from truancy and other attendance issues.
- Explore the four key functions of school avoidance and their behavioural patterns.
- Examine post-pandemic trends in school absenteeism and their implications.
- Assess and identify the underlying causes of school refusal
- Utilize structured assessment tools (e.g., school refusal assessment scale – revised).
- Differentiate between anxiety-driven school refusal and oppositional behaviour.
- Recognize systemic and family-based factors contributing to avoidance.
- Implement effective, evidence-based interventions
- Apply CBT strategies for anxiety-driven avoidance.
- Develop exposure-based hierarchies to gradually reintegrate students into school.
- Use motivational and values-based approaches to enhance student engagement.
- Develop and apply a multi-tiered model of support
- Implement Tier 1 universal interventions for school-wide prevention.
- Apply Tier 2 targeted interventions for students at risk of chronic absenteeism.
- Use Tier 3 intensive interventions for students with severe school avoidance.
- Engage parents and school staff in a collaborative process
- Address family accommodation behaviours that reinforce avoidance.
- Guide parents in building distress tolerance and school readiness at home.
- Train educators on creating a supportive and structured school environment.
Register now to build your expertise in CBT for school avoidance/refusal and help children overcome attendance challenges with confidence and collaboration.
Please note: This webinar is module 5 of our Certificate in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for children level 2: Clinical applications to specific cases program. However, participants can also register for it as a stand-alone training to enhance their therapeutic skills.
The Canadian Psychological Association recognizes this training for 6 hours of continuing education. These hours are also applicable towards the required 40 hours of formal training in CBT as part of the CACBT certification process.
