School Bells vs. Mental Health

Evaluating the Benefits of Therapy Over Perfect Classroom Attendance for Your Child

Dawn M. Vinson,

Licensed Professional Counselor & Certified School Counselor, K-12

The Benefits of Missing Class Time for Therapy

School is back in session, schedules are packed, and therapy appointments that were easy to attend over the summer suddenly feel impossible to keep. Many parents wonder if it’s really worth pulling their child out of class for therapy. The truth? Regular therapy during school hours can be a powerful way to support your child’s emotional and academic success and in most cases, it’s even an excused absence.

Pulling a Child Out of School for Therapy: Rethinking Priorities

For many parents and school staff, pulling a child out of class for therapy feels wrong, especially right after summer break. Yet once school resumes, the morning and early-afternoon therapy slots that worked so well over the summer become hard to keep. After-school appointments are limited, and many families end up on waitlists, pausing therapy, or even risking lost progress.

Therapy During School Hours Can Be an Excused Absence

What many caregivers don’t realize is that therapy during school hours can count as an excused absence exactly like a doctor’s visit. Under the new Senate Bill 207, children who attend school before or after therapy and bring a note, are excused, and this can even be built into an IEP or 504 Plan.

Flexible Scheduling Benefits Everyone

Families use this option in different ways: some schedule early sessions and arrive at school later; others leave during lunch, recess, PE, or another non-core period. Missing one class period a week or even every other week still leaves multiple opportunities for that subject, and predictable absences give teachers time to plan. Therapists can also collaborate with school staff to support smooth transitions and classroom participation.

The Brain Science Behind Consistent Therapy

Because children’s self-regulation is still developing, their emotions can be bigger and harder to manage. Therapy helps teach regulation skills. When children feel emotionally regulated, their brains focus better, they learn more easily, and classrooms stay calmer benefiting everyone.

Why Consistency Matters

Consistent intervention strengthens emotional regulation, supports learning, and improves behavior. Rather than pausing therapy and risking regression, consider the advantages of maintaining regular sessions even during school hours. Additionally, viewing therapy as an integral component of a child's overall training and development acknowledges that therapeutic support enriches a child's growth in ways that a teacher and classroom alone cannot, fostering essential life skills, social interactions, and personalized emotional insights.

Take the Next Step

If you’re weighing whether to schedule therapy during school hours, start by talking with your child’s therapist and school team. Ask about excused absences, IEP/504 documentation, and the best times to minimize classroom disruption. With a little planning, you can maintain consistent therapy and give your child the emotional regulation skills that support stronger learning, calmer classrooms, and long-term success!

© 2025 Dawn M. Vinson. All rights reserved.

*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes only and not meant to take the place of your licensed mental healthcare provider or your physician.

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