Helping professionals and families navigate school refusal with clarity, confidence, and evidence-based strategies.
School Capable provides consultation and professional training for therapists, school teams, and medical professionals, as well as parent guidance, to support students experiencing emotion-based school attendance challenges.
Through collaborative, evidence-based strategies, the goal is to help parents and professionals better understand school refusal and create thoughtful, sustainable plans that support long-term success.
Therapists, school staff, and care teams may feel pressure to solve the problem quickly while navigating emotional families, overwhelmed educators, attendance expectations, and the reality that there is rarely a simple overnight fix.
Many professionals understand that school refusal is rooted in anxiety and distress — not defiance — but still feel unsure of the best path forward or how to create an effective, collaborative plan. Families may need encouragement and support, while school teams are trying to balance compassion with practical attendance concerns. Without clear guidance, it’s easy for everyone involved to feel overwhelmed, reactive, and stuck.
When a student stops attending school, it often creates a ripple effect of stress, uncertainty, and urgency for the adults trying to help.
Understanding the emotional and behavioral factors that can contribute to school refusal
Developing gradual and sustainable re-entry plans
Supporting caregiver involvement and communication
Reducing escalation, avoidance, and overwhelm
Creating collaborative support systems between professionals and schools
Increasing confidence in intervention planning and recommendations
Helping teams respond with clarity rather than urgency or fear
We Focus On:
School-Based Consultation
Guidance for school professionals and support teams, including SST, IEP, 504, and SARB teams, to help conceptualize student needs, strengthen collaboration, and develop realistic support and re-entry plans.
Professional consultations are offered at a clinical rate of $250/hour*
*Because the needs of schools, districts, and teams can vary significantly, custom training proposals are available. School Capable values collaborative, accessible support and is happy to discuss options that align with your organization’s goals and resources.
1:1 Professional Consultation
How We Can Support You and Your Team:
Individualized consultation for therapists, clinicians, and professionals navigating complex school refusal or anxiety-based attendance cases. Support is collaborative, practical, and tailored to the unique needs of each student and care team.
Professional consultations are offered at a clinical rate of $250/hour*
Professional Development Trainings
Virtual and group trainings designed to equip teams with practical, evidence-based strategies for supporting anxious students and school attendance challenges in educational settings.
Professional development trainings begin at $400/hour*
for families & parents
for professionals & teams
Support may include:
Parent Consultation & Return-to-School Planning
Guidance and practical support for families navigating school refusal. While I do not provide therapy, I can help parents understand the factors contributing to school avoidance and develop a realistic, collaborative plan for returning to school.
- Developing phased return-to-school plans and gradual re-entry schedules
- Creating partial-day attendance or late-start transition plans
- Identifying realistic attendance goals and priority classes
- Planning for successful school re-entry following extended absences
- Establishing supportive home routines, including sleep, morning, homework, and technology expectations
- Preparing for school meetings and identifying appropriate accommodations and supports
- Developing communication strategies between home and school
- Tracking attendance, progress, and successful transitions to monitor what is working and where adjustments may be needed
Based in California and looking for therapy regrading school refusal, reach out here.
for families & parents
for professionals & teams
"As an educator, Kristen has provided me with the tools, and strategies I need to ensure that my students are receiving the care that they need. Kristen is an amazing advocate for children and conveys greatly that each child has a gift! Thank you for your love and care for the kids in our community, Kristen!"
"Kristen is such a wonderful resource! She has many years of experience, working with children and parents, across both home and school environments... She is highly skilled at understanding childhood anxiety and the challenges that go along with it. She creates tangible and helpful plans that parents can actually use and realistically follow through on. Her ability to show both compassion and effective support/guidance is truly what makes her stand out.
"Having worked with Kristen for many years, I have seen the expertise, grace, and support she provides to parents. She’s highly knowledgeable and extraordinarily compassionate!"
The approach is individualized and practical, helping professionals better understand the “why” behind school refusal while building strategies that support both emotional well-being and long-term attendance goals.
Rather than offering rigid formulas, the focus is on helping teams feel more confident navigating complex situations with clarity, structure, and support. Every student and family is different, and the work reflects that nuance.
School Capable is rooted in the belief that meaningful progress happens through collaboration, consistency, and compassionate evidence-based care — not shame, pressure, or quick fixes.
School administrators
School-based therapists and mental health clinicians
SST, IEP, 504, and SARB teams
Pediatric and medical professionals
Therapists supporting school-aged children and adolescents
WE WORK WITH:
*This is not therapy for students or families (we do that too, for California residents only - check it out here).
view my credentials
Hi, I’m Kristen
Before starting my private practice, I worked in homes and schools throughout Southern California, supporting students with a wide range of needs, including ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety. As a Behavior Specialist, I collaborated with educators, families, and multidisciplinary teams to develop Positive Behavior Support Plans, strengthen home-school partnerships, and train staff in evidence-based practices.
Today, I help families and school teams better understand the factors contributing to school refusal and school attendance difficulties, and develop practical, individualized plans that support a successful return to school. My approach combines evidence-based principles, parent guidance, and collaboration with school teams to help students move toward consistent school attendance.
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Education & Credentials:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed in California
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)
Chronic Absenteeism and School Refusal with Kristen McNeely
Anxiety and School Avoidance with Kristen McNeely, LMFT
What is back-to-school anxiety? How to help a child who’s struggling
behavioral observations
the adhd parenting podcast
care.com
When School Becomes Scary, Understanding School Avoidance
do less parenting podcast
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work directly with students?
No. School Capable provides consultation, guidance, and training for professionals and support teams rather than direct therapy services for students.
Is this therapy?
No. The focus is on professional consultation, school collaboration, and evidence-based guidance around school refusal and anxiety-based attendance concerns.
Can trainings be customized for our team?
Yes. Trainings can be tailored to the unique needs, goals, and challenges of your school, district, or organization.
Are services available virtually?
Yes. Consultations and trainings are offered virtually.
What makes this approach different?
The work is rooted in both clinical understanding and real-world school experience, with a strong focus on collaboration, gradual support strategies, and sustainable long-term outcomes rather than crisis-driven interventions.
