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Selective Mutism Clinic
selective mutism
Selective mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder that tends to show symptoms between 3 and 5 years of age when children start school. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder characterized by a person’s inability to speak in certain social settings such as at school, work, or in the community. SM can be highly impactful on a persons life as it can impair social interactions and is commonly present with social anxiety.
Types of Treatment using pCIT-SM
Weekly Therapy Sessions
Mini-Intensives
Intensive On/Off-Site Therapy
School consultation, advocacy and push-in sessions
Teacher training
504 and IEP consultations
Clinical consultation for therapists
Parent Training Groups
Selective Mutism Clinic
PCIT-SM
PCIT-SM is an evidence based intervention for children with selective mutism. The treatment roots come from Parent Child Interaction Therapy, developed by Sheila Eyberg, Child Directed Interaction, the rapport building aspects of PCIT, is used in PCIT-SM to help children ‘warm up’ then we use Verbal Directed Interaction to systematically move through the established talking hierarchy. Treatment is systematic in nature and we use a reward system for desired verbal behaviors when they do occur. Reward systems are tailored to each child and their preferences. PCIT-SM is an evidence based treatment for children and teens with selective mutism.
What does treatment look like?
Treatment is tailored to each patient based on their severity and treatment needs. We offer weekly, mini-intensive and week long intensive treatment. Specific needs will be discussed with your provider in therapy. Teacher and school consultations are often part of treatment to intentionally target the most common place of impairment of children with SM. Treatment is collaborative, evidence-based, and specific to your child.
Intervention options for SM:
Weekly Therapy Sessions
Mini-Intensives
Intensive On/Off-Site Therapy
School consultation, advocacy and push-in sessions
Teacher training
504 and IEP consultations
Clinical consultation for therapists
Parent Training Groups (psychoeducational learning groups) in the Child Family Lab
Intensive Treatment
Individual intensives are offered to meet your clinical needs in your home environment or onsite in Nashville. Intensive can be one day with multiple hours of treatment (mini-intensive) or multiple days in duration. If onsite in your home, we love to integrate the school and community in the exposure hierarchy to treat in the place of likely impairment for your child.
We are highly connected with colleagues across the country and can connect you for a group intensive to supplement local treatment if appropriate and desired.
U.S. and International Consultation
Our Director offers Selective Mutism Consultation to families and clinicians who do not have local resources. E-mail us to discuss if this is appropriate for your family or clinical practice.
Selective mutism parent training groups in the child family lab
Our Director offers selective mutism parent psychoeduction training groups. Learn more about these groups at the Child Family Lab. The Child Family Lab is one part of our sister consulting company and the hub for non-clinical educational learning.
Selective Mutism Association (SMA)
Selective Mutism Association - Resources Hub for SMA which includes webinars, parent and professional communities.
Selective Mutism Learning University - FREE to the public platform to learn the basics of PCIT for selective mutism (PCIT-SM).
Selective Mutism Association Resources for Educators:
Selective Mutism Educators Webcourse - Excellent, low cost, course for educators to learn about SM.
SM Related Webinars by our Staff
SMA Webinar - Bathroom and Eating Exposures ( Eleanor Ezell Presenter)