Selective Mutism

Selective Mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder. The central feature of SM is that children or teens who are capable of talking when not experiencing anxiety are unable to speak in situations that make them anxious. Children with SM are typically chatterboxes at home and silent in certain public settings. They do not speak in social situations such as school classrooms or the playground, or with certain people, such as their teachers, sports coaches or peers. It’s not that they won’t but rather they can’t. SM interferes with social interactions and often interferes with educational achievement as well. The good news is SM is treatable. We offering different levels of care to help support kids and teens with SM to overcome their anxiety.

How is Selective Mutism Treated?

We use Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Adapted for Selective Mutism (​PCIT-SM) to treat children struggling with SM. PCIT-SM uses a Child Directed Interaction (CDI) and Verbal Directed Interaction (VDI) to help kids work on brave talking. This treatment approach involves positive reinforcement and gradual shaping to increase the number of people, places and situations in which the child will comfortably speak. Kids practice brave talking in a safe trusted relationship to help them reach their goals. 

Teens are treated with similar concepts applied in a developmentally appropriate way and incorporates the teen's interests. When CBT and coping skills would be helpful they are incorporated into the treatment process as well. 

Working with Schools

Children and teens spend so much of their time at school that it can be critical to their treatment success for us to directly work with the schools. We can teach the school staff the strategies we use in the therapy sessions to use in the school setting. We can also go into the schools virtually or in person to provide support. 

Treatment Options

Individual Therapy
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Individual treatment usually involves important family members with whom the child or teen is already verbal. Sessions may be weekly for a typical therapy hour of 50 minutes or may be longer or more frequency if needed.

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Group Therapy

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Virtual and in person groups provide an opportunity for kids to practice their brave talking around multiple other children and adults with activities that simulate classroom activities. 

Individual Intensive Treatment

Sometimes typical weekly or even twice weekly therapy is not enough to get the progress a family is looking for quickly enough. We also provide intensive full day therapy sessions that may span a few days to a week. This can be a good way to get momentum built over a shorter period of time.

Group Intensive Treatment
​(MMK Sarasota)

Our Group Intensive Treatment, Mighty Mouth Kids Camp- Sarasota, is modeled after the original Mighty Mouth Kids Camp developed at Kurtz Psychology Consulting PC by Dr Steven Kurtz. This is a week long therapeutic camp each Summer. More details below.

Upcoming Groups:

  • Virtual SM Group for kids ages 5 to 10 and their parents. Parents are expected to participate as their child's counselor. ​
  • Tuesday 3:30-4:30 PM Eastern
  • Led by Dr. Kate Gibson and Jessica Custer
  • $100 per group;
  • $200 per pre-group appointment
  • ​There will be a minimum of 2 pre-group appointments: Parent screener and fade-in (more than 1 fade-in may be needed)
  • There will be 6 group sessions per round of group and all 6 should be attended

Mighty Mouth Kids (MMK)
​Camp- Sarasota

Mighty Mouth Kids Camp- Sarasota is modeled after the original Mighty Mouth Kids (MMK) Camp developed at Kurtz Psychology Consulting PC by Dr Steven Kurtz. This is a week long therapeutic camp each Summer that uses PCIT-SM treatment strategies. MMK Sarasota requires a two week commitment from families for the week of camp and the week prior to camp. The week prior to camp is called "lead-ins week" and is spent conducting sessions to get your child prepared to be able to successfully participate in the camp week. Parent training is an additional component scheduled outside of those two weeks to help prepare parents for supporting their children during the camp week and beyond.

MMK Sarasota will simulate a classroom setting with a high ratio of staff support so that each child is paired individually with an adult counselor for their camp day. The camp day will create multiple opportunities for brave talking and building social skill with numerous people. There will be arts & crafts activities, a morning meeting that operates like circle time in school, guest teachers, presentations in front of the group, a lunch outing, a field trip, and more!