This interactive workshop is designed for practitioners, educators, and parents who are navigating the growing challenge of school refusal—when students struggle to attend, stay, or arrive at school consistently. School refusal can have a significant impact on a young person’s mental health, sense of belonging, and long-term success.

This workshop applies the principles, practices and assumptions of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to engage young people in meaningful conversations—whether in classrooms, counseling spaces, or around the kitchen table. Participants will explore how to consciously inspire connection in the communicative spaces between adults and young people. An intentional awareness of the ‘in-between’ manages resistance while reframing the narrative, and building engagement, motivation, and agency in young people. Through practical exercises and real-world examples, we’ll explore how solution-focused conversations highlight personal strengths, clarify what matters most to young people of all ages, and gently invite small but powerful steps toward positive change.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Understand key factors contributing to school refusal and its impact on young people and families.

• Learn how SFBT can be applied both preventively and responsively in school and home settings.

• Recognize the value of intentional, strengths-based conversations that foster connection, motivation, and hope.

• Engage in reflective exercises that reframe persistent challenges and reveal new possibilities.

• Gain practical skills and strategies that can be applied right away in real-life interactions.

• Share insights, questions, and ideas through collaborative learning with peers