Overcoming School Refusal: A Practical Guide for Teachers, Counsellors, Caseworkers and Parents

School refusal affects up to 5% of children and is a complex and stressful issue for the child, their family and school. Psychologist Joanne Garfi spends most of her working life assisting parents, teachers, school counsellors, caseworkers, and community policing officers on how best to deal with school refusal. Now her experiences and expertise are available in this easy-to-read practical book.

Joanne Garfi is a psychologist with over 30 years of experience and expertise in child and adolescent issues, including as a school psychologist, working in both primary and secondary schools providing specialised training to teachers. She has a special interest in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorder and is well known for her work with childhood anxiety, behavioural disorders and developmental issues. She currently conducts workshops on school refusal around Australia. Joanne uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness and skills development and prefers to take a whole person approach to treatment. Her emphasis when working with children is to have families and schools working together to bring about change.