Sarah Davidson Counselling & Coaching

✨ New school year. Same question.
Do I push my teen?
Or do I step back? 🤷‍♀️

In my work with young people, what I see help most is keeping teens in the driver’s seat.

I use scaling in my sessions
🔟 = impossible
1️⃣ = doable

We don’t aim for the 10.
We don’t even aim for the 5.
We find the 1 they can do today, then build from there.

And here’s the part many parents find surprising 👀
Those first steps often have nothing to do with school.

A 1/10 might be
☀️ getting up
🚿 having a shower
🥣 eating breakfast
🧘 a short grounding routine
🐕 a walk outside

That tiny step matters.
It helps their nervous system settle, gives their brain a safe win, and turns overwhelm into
“I can do that.”

That’s how confidence builds in teens.
Not by pushing harder
But by breaking things down and navigating it together 💛

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹?

For many families, the start of a new school year isn’t filled with excitement and new beginnings. Returning to school isn’t straightforward, and for some, it becomes a constant, exhausting battle.
I’m Sarah, a registered counsellor and youth mentor, and I support families navigating school can’t.

I’ve created an ACER-approved, self-paced workbook for young people to work through in their own time, helping identify their main friction points and the why behind school anxiety.

It’s an interactive workbook designed to support parents and young people, with space to write, draw and reflect. It includes thoughtful questions, practical examples and gentle prompts throughout to help make sense of what’s really going on beneath the surface.

The workbook is available as an instant printable digital download for $37, or you can reach out to order a hard copy.

A slow and steady approach matters and the right support can make a real difference.
Download the PDF Here 👉 https://rebrand.ly/PDFHere

School mornings can feel impossible some days.

Not just for your child, but for you too. If school mornings have turned into a daily battle, it’s usually a sign something deeper is going on. Anxiety, overwhelm, or not feeling safe can show up in different ways, leaving parents feeling exhausted and unsure what to do next.

I’ve created a free Mini Journal for Parents to offer calm, pressure free support.
Inside, you’ll find a clearer understanding of school avoidance, gentle reflection questions to help you make sense of what’s happening, practical ways to support your child without things escalating, and reminders that your own wellbeing matters too.

No rigid plans. No guilt.
Just support, at your pace.

👉 Get the free Mini Journal here:

https://rebrand.ly/MiniJournalForParent

You’re not alone in this. 💛

Just sharing a positive story, with permission, from one of the young people I work with.

I had a check-in today with a Year 10 student I started working with just over a year ago.
For much of Year 8 and most of Year 9 & 10 she wasn’t attending school at all. At that point, even thinking about school felt impossible. Her world had become very small, and leaving the house, getting outside, even being in the sun were huge challenges.
She was also incredibly bright - an avid reader with a sharp, curious mind but anxiety had taken so much from her.
For the first six months of our sessions, she never turned her camera on. We worked quietly and gently across lots of areas, building trust and confidence at her pace. Eventually, she made the brave decision to try virtual schooling and was then able to link in with a local service that provided a social worker. At that point, I stepped back, checking in every few months as part of her support circle.
Today, she greeted me online with her camera on.
She’s heading into Year 11 with excitement and optimism.
She’s attending a small mainstream school.
She’s going out with her family again.
Her last hurdle is meeting new friends after spending so long being isolated - but she’s ready.

There is always hope 🤍

Lots of great leaning at the Engage, Enrich, Empower - TSPA conference in Tasmania this week!

Wishing everyone a safe, smooth start to Term 4.
Take it slow this week; new routines, early mornings, and school runs can take a little while to settle back in.
Be kind to yourself (and each other) as everyone finds their rhythm.

You’ve got this!

This is a gorgeous photo of New Norfolk, Tasmania, where I live. Such a beautiful spot.
The weather’s finally starting to warm up after a long, cold winter and a wet, windy spring 🌞💚

🌸 Now Enrolling – Term 4 (Closing Soon!) 🌸

I’ve seen firsthand how much it means for young people to feel understood and not alone in what they’re going through. Navigating School Can’t, an online group program designed to support teen girls who are struggling with school burnout and anxiety.

📅 Starting mid-October – October & November 2025
👩‍🎓 Ages 13–17 | Small groups | Safe space
💻 Weekly online sessions with a registered counsellor
📘 Evidence-based and Featured in the ACER Well-being Program Guide

This program creates space for girls to:

✔️ Pause the school stress and focus on their wellbeing first
✔️ Connect with others who understand what they’re going through
✔️ Build confidence, resilience and a stronger sense of identity
✔️ Join in their own way — we get anxiety, so cameras don’t have to be on

🌟 It’s all about wellbeing first so they can feel supported, confident and in a place where learning will naturally flow

Landing – Knots School avoidance is tough — for teens and families. Navigating School Can’t is a 6-week online group program, ACER Well-being approved, designed for teen girls experiencing school avoidance, anxiety, or burnout.

School Burnout? | 6 Weeks of Support for Teen Girls

Term 4 – October & November 2025
✨ Aussie Teen Girls ✨

Ages - 13 -17 Years
Weekly online sessions with a registered counsellor using the ACER-approved program Navigating School Can’t.

This program supports girls experiencing:
✔️ Anxiety
✔️ Burnout
✔️ School Can’t

Small groups • Safe space • Strategies that work

🌸 Term 4 spots now open – limited spaces.

Find out more here:

Landing – Knots School avoidance is tough — for teens and families. Navigating School Can’t is a 6-week online group program, ACER Well-being approved, designed for teen girls experiencing school avoidance, anxiety, or burnout.

✨ OPENING SOON ✨
In Term 4, I’ll be running online group sessions for teen girls (13–17 years) using the Navigating School Can’t workbook — an ACER-approved program that focuses on wellbeing and understanding the why behind school can’t, rather than just pushing to get back in the classroom.
Program at a glance
• Small online groups
• 6 weeks of guided support
• Free introduction session — essential to ensure a good fit
• Program is not free, but I’m keeping costs as low as possible to support families
If your daughter would like to connect with others and build strategies in a safe and supportive space, send me a message to find out more.