School Anxiety & Avoidance Counseling in Mooresville, NC
Mornings shouldn’t feel like a daily crisis. We help kids (10+) and teens overcome school anxiety, refusal, and attendance issues with practical skills, parent support, and coordination with school when needed. Care is trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate, with telehealth available across North Carolina & Maryland (licensed in both).
Signs of School Anxiety & Avoidance
How Counseling Works Here
Stabilize the system – Simple nervous-system tools to reduce overwhelm fast.Calm first: Reduce morning chaos with regulation skills that fit your child/teen.
Understand the pattern: Triggers, thoughts, body cues, and strengths; rule out safety issues.
Skills + scaffolding: ACT/CBT tools for worry + stepwise exposure plan (tiny, doable steps).
Family alignment: Parent coaching, scripts, and consistent morning/after-school routines.
School coordination (with consent): Brief emails or meetings; simple accommodations that actually help.
Maintain gains: Relapse-prevention plan for breaks, transitions, and exam seasons.
Approaches We Use
IFS-Informed “Parts” Work: Reduce shame; understand Avoider/Worrier/Perfectionist parts.
CBT: Stepwise, child/teen-led practice to rebuild confidence.
EMDR (when appropriate): For bullying, medical, or performance traumas that keep anxiety stuck.
Executive-Function Coaching: Planning, time management, study habits that actually stick.
Neurofeedback (optional): Supports attention, sleep, and regulation so skills are easier to use. See Neurofeedback.
What We Work On
Worry & panic tools (breathing, grounding, cognitive defusion)Gradual return plan (attendance ladder: class → partial day → full day)
Executive-function supports (planner routine, task initiation, study systems)
Social confidence (friendship skills, boundaries, safe-adult map)
Perfectionism resets (good enough plans; values over fear)
Sleep & nervous-system regulation (evening routine, screens plan, movement)
Care For Different Ages
Teens (13–17): Skills for panic/perfectionism, social stress, workload planning, SAT/ACT prep anxiety.
Family Sessions: Short parent meetings to align routines, communication, and reinforcement.
School Collaboration With Consent
504/IEP-friendly recommendations (reduced load, presentation options, safe passes)
Return-to-learn steps after medical/mental health leaves
Testing accommodations (timers, breaks, alternative settings)
Our School Anxiety Team
Getting Started
Step 2: We recommend a clinician and verify benefits.
Step 3: Begin with stabilization, then a deeper process when ready.
Request a consultation or call (704) 237-0608.
Serving Mooresville & Lake Norman
In-person care in Mooresville, convenient to Troutman, Statesville, Sherrills Ford, Cornelius, Huntersville, and Davidson—plus secure telehealth across North Carolina and Maryland.
FAQs