Dr Carolyne Keenan

Dr Carolyne Keenan Lotus Psychology is a private psychology clinic offering online and face to face sessions.

08/10/2025

Most parents never think about this… but scratchy jumpers, stiff shoes, or heavy coats can quietly fuel school anxiety. Here’s how small sensory triggers create big emotional stress, and what you can do to help.

Don’t forget to follow along for more school anxiety tips and insights you can trust ❤️

If this sounds like your child, they’re not trying to be difficult; they’re trying to stay regulated in a world that oft...
06/10/2025

If this sounds like your child, they’re not trying to be difficult; they’re trying to stay regulated in a world that often feels too loud, too bright, too much.

Want more tips for supporting a child with school anxiety or avoidance? Hit the FOLLOW button! ❤️

03/10/2025

If you’d like my top tips and resources to help you stay grounded and protect your energy as a working parent of an anxious or school-avoidant child, comment SURVIVAL below and I’ll send you the link ❤️

Fiercely protecting your energy is how you’re going to get through the term without burning out ⚡If your child is showin...
01/10/2025

Fiercely protecting your energy is how you’re going to get through the term without burning out ⚡

If your child is showing signs of school avoidance, your energy is stretched even further. That’s why I created a survival guide for parents. It’s a free resource with practical strategies to help you stay grounded while supporting your child.

Comment SURVIVAL below, and I’ll send you the link! ❤️

If your child doesn’t have the words (or the confidence) to articulate what’s going on inside, their bodies and behaviou...
25/09/2025

If your child doesn’t have the words (or the confidence) to articulate what’s going on inside, their bodies and behaviours do the talking. The challenge for parents is recognising these signs for what they really are: a call for support.

By recognising them early, you can step in with empathy, connection, and practical support before school avoidance becomes entrenched.

And most importantly, don’t forget to extend that same compassion to yourself! Parenting a child through school anxiety is tough, and you deserve support along the way, too.

Follow for more tips and insights about school anxiety, avoidance and refusal ❤️

19/09/2025

If your child is showing signs of anxiety around school… Tears in the morning. Tummy aches. Exhaustion after the day. A sudden dip in confidence or motivation… That’s enough.

You don’t have to wait for a full-blown meltdown, a referral, or a formal diagnosis before reaching out to the school.

You’re allowed to reach out to the school to discuss your child’s mental health and needs.

School staff aren’t expecting you to have all the answers; they just need you to open the door. And there’s no lock on that door! You’re allowed to open it whenever you need to 🫶

It’s not you being ‘dramatic’.
And it’s not being a burden.
It’s being a proactive, attuned parent.

Let me know if this is something you needed to hear today ❤️

Remember: you’re not being difficult by speaking with the school about their needs. You’re advocating for your child ❤️S...
17/09/2025

Remember: you’re not being difficult by speaking with the school about their needs. You’re advocating for your child ❤️

Save this script to help you start that conversation.

You made it through the summer 🎉 But now that the school term is back in full swing… a few realisations are probably hit...
12/09/2025

You made it through the summer 🎉 But now that the school term is back in full swing… a few realisations are probably hitting hard! 😅

This season can stir up deep emotions, especially for high-achieving parents who are already spread too thin.

It’s okay to name the grief. To admit the exhaustion. To ask for support.

Comment SURVIVE below and I’ll send you my Survival Kit for Parents. It’s a free mini guide full of stress reduction tips and small, manageable ways to protect your wellbeing ❤️

Imagine this... You're 12 years old. Your stomach’s in knots.You feel sick, shaky, panicked just thinking about walking ...
05/09/2025

Imagine this... You're 12 years old. Your stomach’s in knots.
You feel sick, shaky, panicked just thinking about walking through the school gates 😭

And then you hear:

💬 “You’re going whether you like it or not.”
💬 “You’re going to fall behind.”
💬 “Other kids manage it. Why can’t you?”⁠

Scary, right? 😱

For children struggling with school avoidance, these moments are already loaded with anxiety. What they need most is presence. Safety. Co-regulation.⁠

You're doing your best. You care deeply. And you're allowed to feel completely fed up by the third morning meltdown in a row.⁠
⁠
But in that pause between your frustration and your response, you have power.⁠
⁠
So if your child refused school today and you’re tempted to say “I’ve had enough of this”, you’re not alone.⁠

Save these 5 calm, connection-first things you can say instead ❤️

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Website

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/stuart-brownings-haywards-heath-eng/813

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