School refusal isn’t just about kids staying home. It shows up in subtle ways—frequent nurse visits, missed classes, late arrivals, and quiet disengagement that often goes unnoticed until it becomes a major problem.

In this episode, we break down what’s actually driving school refusal behavior and why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Drawing from real clinical and school-based experience, we explore the four core functions behind these behaviors and how they often overlap in ways that make intervention more complex than it seems.

You’ll hear how anxiety, avoidance, attention-seeking, and access to more rewarding alternatives all play a role—and how modern factors like virtual learning, technology, and shifting family dynamics are changing the landscape.

We also walk through practical, evidence-based strategies that clinicians, schools, and families can use together. From distress tolerance and exposure work to environmental changes and caregiver collaboration, this episode focuses on what actually helps move kids back toward consistent school engagement.

If you’re working with students who are struggling to attend—or families who feel stuck—this conversation will give you a clearer framework and more confidence in how to respond.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:

http://www.psychedtopractice.com

“Be well, and stay psyched"

Social media isn’t going anywhere, but the way we’re handling it with kids and teens might be making things worse. In this episode, we sit down with Kelly McCullough, LCSW, to unpack what’s actually happening when kids spend hours on their phones. From sleep loss and anxiety to comparison and constant pressure to respond, we explore why this generation is struggling and why it’s not just a “self-control problem.” You’ll hear how clinicians can guide parents without turning the phone into a constant battle, what actually motivates teens to change their behavior, and how to shift from control to collaboration. We also break down practical strategies that work in real homes, including setting limits without escalating conflict, helping kids rethink what they see online, and building healthier habits that stick. If you work with kids, teens, or families, this conversation will change how you approach screen time, connection, and mental health.

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Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here:

https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts

To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:

http://www.psychedtopractice.com

“Be well, and stay psyched"

Many clinicians leave graduate school with strong foundational skills but very little guidance on how to shape their professional path. Over time, therapists begin to notice patterns in their work—certain populations, problems, or clinical questions that keep showing up in the therapy room. The question is what to do with those patterns. In this episode, Paul Wagner and Ray Christner explore how clinicians develop areas of focus in their practice. They discuss the difference between chasing trends and building a thoughtful specialty, how real clinical needs often reveal themselves through repeated client concerns, and why personal fit matters just as much as professional opportunity. The conversation also highlights the importance of curiosity, ongoing reading, mentorship, and honest self-reflection when deciding where to grow professionally. Listeners will hear examples from leaders in the field who built unique niches by combining emerging needs with their own interests and strengths. Whether you are early in your career or rethinking the direction of your practice, this episode offers a practical framework for deciding where to invest your time, training, and energy.

Upcoming Live Webinars:

(1 Credit) Same Symptoms, Different Stories: Differentiating Neurodevelopmental and Emotional Disorders- 03/27/2026 08:00 AM EST

(https://learn.psychedtopractice.com/course/same-symptoms-different-stories-differentiating-neurodevelopmental-and-emotional-disorders)

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This episode is brought to you by PAR.

Explore the AI Report Writer here:

https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts

Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here:

https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts

To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:

http://www.psychedtopractice.com

“Be well, and stay psyched"