CBT for Schools: Supporting the intersection of Attendance and MH
For regulated SMPs who support students experiencing mental health related attendance challenges
This training equips School Mental Health Professionals (SMHPs) with strategies to support students experiencing attendance challenges related to mental health concerns. The approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and incorporates an identity-affirming (IA) lens that centers student voice, agency, and readiness. Through case scenarios, practice opportunities, and discussion, participants will explore the use of CBT techniques to address underlying mental health concerns that impact attendance. This includes strengthening emotional regulation, reducing anxiety and distress, and supporting gradual re-engagement with school routines during school re-entry, periods of waiting for community-based care, and patterns of inconsistent attendance. This training is intended for regulated mental health professionals who support students experiencing mental health related attendance challenges, within a therapeutic relationship where informed consent has been obtained.
Date:
May 26, 2026 | 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Audience: Mental health leaders: Managers of clinical or mental health services, Managers of psychology services, Managers of social work services, Mental health leaders School mental health professionals: Mental health clinicians/counsellors, Occupational therapists, Psychological associates, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Social workers
Language: This session will be delivered in English. Materials, breakout rooms, etc. will be available in French and English.
PEI Protocol Learning and Training
Participant Expectations
This training session will be an interactive learning experience, involving both large and small group discussions. We respectfully request that you come prepared to have your camera on (unless this is not accessible for you) to actively engage with fellow colleagues and trainers.
We understand that circumstances can change as you hold this training date. In the event that you are unable to attend, please email Sherry Sims at sherry@innovative4you.com. We often have waitlists for our sessions and would like to be able to offer your spot to another participant.
To help you prepare for the learning experience, many of our training sessions require brief prereading assignments and downloading resources before the training date. Please be aware of this and watch for this information and links in the emails after you register, closer to the training date.
Many of our sessions involve role play demonstrations by the trainers as well as role play between 2-3 participants in breakout rooms. This is to assist you to be ready to apply the learning directly with students soon after the training is complete. Please come prepared for this.
The training is an active learning experience, and we therefore request that you engage in discussions and respond to questions that trainers ask in order to help you consolidate the learning and again, be more prepared to use the protocol directly with students.
We will provide you with a certificate of attendance identifying the name of the training session and the number of training hours if you have participated in and attended at least 80% of the training hours.
It is strongly encouraged that you take the time at the end of each training session to complete our evaluation. This provides valuable feedback to our team that will continue to shape future training sessions. We want to hear what you think and value how useful the training is to your work with students.
Note that your MHL and/or Manager supports you to take this training to better support students in your schools and that this training aligns with your board’s Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and PPM 169.
For more information or to register, contact your school board’s mental health leader.