When school feels too scary for your child, there's a gentle way back.
School anxiety and school refusal aren't defiance, they're fear. Bia gives your child a step-by-step path back to the classroom, one small step at a time, with you guiding the way at home (or alongside a therapist).
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Avoiding school brings relief, then makes tomorrow harder
When school feels unsafe, staying home calms the fear right away. But that relief quietly teaches your child's brain that school really was dangerous, so the next morning is even harder. It's not a willpower problem. It's a cycle, and cycles can be broken.
Understand, practice, return
Bia is a guided exposure program. Your child climbs a personalized ladder of small steps, with short lessons, interactive activities, and calming tools along the way. You're the coach; Bia tells you exactly what to do next.
Understand
A short, gentle check-in helps you see what's driving the fear, so you finally have a name for what's happening and a place to start.
Practice
Your child climbs a personalized ladder, starting from home: write a letter to the worry, look at a photo of school, a short visit, one lesson, a half day. Each rung is small on purpose.
Return
Step by step, the brain relearns that school is safe and attendance returns. You track every win and see the progress build, week over week.
Families see change, often within the first two weeks
Average anxiety severity per child, week over week, while using Bia.
“Our daughter hadn't been to school in two months. After 6 weeks with Bia, she's back three days a week and making real progress. I finally feel like there's a path forward.”
Parent using Bia, school anxietyBia's exposure program was designed with clinical psychologist Dr. David Russ.
The fears that keep kids out of school
School refusal usually has something specific underneath it. Bia matches your child's plan to what's really driving the fear.
Fear of being sick at school
Worry about vomiting or feeling ill where they can't escape or get home.
Separation anxiety
Can't leave you, panics at drop-off, needs constant reassurance you're okay.
Panic and physical symptoms
Racing heart, stomachaches, shaking, the body sounding an alarm with no off switch.
Social fear of being judged
Terror of being looked at, called on, laughed at, or getting something wrong in front of others.
General school dread
Sunday-night fear, "sick" most mornings, calls to come home, no single obvious cause.
Not sure yet?
That's okay. The first few questions help you and Bia figure out where to start.
Heading into a 504 or IEP meeting?
Build a free, evidence-based support plan for your child's school anxiety, with a measurable goal you can print and bring to your school. No account needed.
Work with students, not just one child?
Counselors, school teams, and therapists can deliver and track Bia across many students.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to overcome school phobia?
Yes. Research shows recovery is possible. You don't have to settle for the way things are.
What does recovery look like?
Imagine a life where fear and anxiety don't make your decisions for you. Where you can go where you want, eat what you want, and do what you want.
Can I use Bia by myself?
Yes. Bia is designed to work as a self-guided tool. It provides a personalized recovery plan, interactive lessons, and step-by-step guided exercises for practicing evidence-based recovery techniques.
Can I use Bia with a therapist?
Yes. Bia works great alongside therapy. Your therapist can use our provider portal to personalize your recovery plan, assign custom exercises, and monitor your progress.
We can help you connect with a therapist near you. Get Connected
I am nervous to try it.
We built Bia to lower the barrier to the path of recovery. Bia never tricks, traps, or forces you in any way. The journey is built of small, incremental steps. You control the pace and order of your journey.
How long does it take?
Individual sessions on Bia are short and take 5 to 15 minutes. Bia builds a personalized step-by-step journey based on your unique needs, so completing the full journey is different for everyone. Typically, a journey includes over 55 exercises and 19 lessons across 9 milestones.
How much does it cost?
Bia is free to try. A subscription is required to unlock your full journey. If you are using Bia with a therapist, you may be eligible to receive Bia for free as part of your treatment. Ask your therapist today.
If you have an HSA/FSA plan, you can use it to purchase Bia by first receiving a letter of medical necessity from our partner, Flex. Use HSA/FSA
My child won't go to school at all. Is it too late for this?
No. Bia is built for exactly this. When a child is fully out of school, the ladder simply starts further back, with steps you can do entirely from home, and works toward attendance from there. The earlier you start the easier it is, but it's never too late.
Do I need a therapist or a diagnosis to use Bia?
No. Bia is designed for parents to use at home, on your own schedule, while you wait for or instead of a long waitlist. If your child is already seeing a therapist, Bia works alongside their care, and you can share progress with the school or clinician.
How much time does it take each day?
Most steps take just a few minutes. Bia tells you the one next thing to do, so you're never guessing. Small and consistent beats long and overwhelming, especially for an anxious child.
You can start helping your child tonight
Not in six months on a waitlist. Answer a few quick questions and we'll build your child's first step-by-step plan back to school.
Build your child's planFree to start. 7 day free trial, cancel anytime.