OUR APPROACH

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APPROACH

Multi-Dimensional Support Model

We combine evidence-based therapy and genuine connection with students to support their goals. Therapy is woven into the school day, and our academic staff receives ongoing training to be responsive to anxious, neurodiverse student needs. We also provide comprehensive services for parents because systemic change is essential for student progress, and parents also need community, support, and belonging.

Our Therapeutic Modalities

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)

  • Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Integrated Services We Provide

  • Individual Therapy

  • Group Therapy

  • Family Therapy

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Parent Coaching

  • Multifamily Group

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PHILOSOPHY

Relationship Centered

We believe that the right relationship can change a life. Our school is built on an attachment-based model where staff are chosen for their character as much as their expertise. At Actias, the connection between student and teacher isn't just a part of the culture, is the emotional anchor that gives our students the courage to face fear.

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APPROACH

Academic Anxiety

At Actias School, we recognize that Academic Anxiety is a profound psychological barrier. While not a standalone diagnosis, it often acts as the engine driving school avoidance. Many students with academic anxiety also struggle with Generalized Anxiety (GAD), Social Anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.

Academic anxiety often functions as a self-reinforcing loop. Avoidance (procrastination) provides temporary relief but leads to poor preparation, which increases anxiety for the next task.

Our approach to supporting students with academic fear involves a "whole-person" approach, combining traditional therapy with self-regulation skills and:

  • Gradually facing academic fears (like speaking in class) to reduce the brain's "threat".

  • Helps students stay grounded in the present moment rather than spiraling into future-oriented worries.

  • Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety, ACT teaches students to accept the presence of anxiety while remaining committed to their academic goals. This "psychological flexibility" reduces the "anxiety about being anxious" that often leads to shut-downs.

  • Anxiety is often a symptom of feeling "under-resourced." Using metacognition, we teach students how to plan, monitor, and evaluate their own learning profile to build agency and self-advocacy skills.

  • Research is clear on the impact of chronic sleep deprivation. We address the "sleep-anxiety-performance" triangle. Improving physical wellness can help students have the energy to outgrow their comfort zone.

APPROACH

School Avoidance Expertise

Emotionally based school avoidance (sometimes called "school refusal”) is a physical and emotional response to overwhelming anxiety. For many bright, sensitive students, the traditional school environment creates a constant "fight or flight” response that leads to burnout, exhaustion, and defeat. Avoidance is a coping mechanism for a nervous system that feels unsafe and is a symptom, not a choice.

Rates of school avoidance are significantly higher among neurodivergent learners and those with anxiety disorders. At Actias, we don’t address school avoidance with behavioral interventions or rigid attendance policies.

We know that a student will only engage in learning when they feel safe enough to do so. We focus on building a secure attachment between the student and our staff. By prioritizing the relationship first, we lower the "threat level" of the school environment. We partner with families to create a gradual, supportive re-entry that values the student's emotional well-being as much as their academic progress.

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Foundations of Adulthood

At Actias, we believe college prep should encompass far more than just academic readiness. Whether a student aims for a Tier-1 university, a specialized trade apprenticeship, or an Associate degree, we provide the foundational tools they need to thrive after graduation. Our approach focuses on developing the essential life skills that traditional schooling often overlooks.

Through our "Life Prep" philosophy - which integrates wellness classes, group and individual therapy, and targeted teacher interventions - we cultivate growth in the following core areas:

  • Independent Living

  • Self Awareness & Advocacy

  • Academic & Study

  • Career & Professional

  • Physical Wellness

  • Emotional Wellness

  • Relationship & Social

  • Social Responsibility & Citizenship

  • Digital Literacy

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