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The Selective Mutism Training Institute for Caregivers (SMTI)
February 25, 2023 @ 9:00 am – February 26, 2023 @ 3:30 pm EST
This training is offered in an online format. More information regarding the online platform will be emailed in February.
Contact Lisa Kovac, Selective Mutism Association, info@selectivemutism.org
The Selective Mutism Training Institute for Caregivers (SMTI-Caregivers) is an indepth 2-day training course for caregivers of children/youth (ages 3 – 17) diagnosed with selective mutism (SM). The workshop is intensive and skills-based with the goal of increasing caregiver competence in utilizing empirically-supported treatment strategies for SM. We maintain a low instructor-to-participant ratio to ensure adequate time for modeling and video role-play of the skills. Registration will be capped at 30 participants.
This is a unique opportunity for caregivers of children with selective mutism to learn cutting-edge, innovative techniques to effectively address SM. Small group, video consultation with the course instructors following the 2-day training is included in the cost. This will allow participants to further apply the skills in their own unique way. Please note this consultation does not provide individualized treatment.
Cost: $250 per person, $450 for couples
This course is taught by leading experts, researchers, and authors in the field of Selective Mutism:
Emilly Doll, M.A., M.S., CCC-SLP
Emily Doll is a licensed speech-language pathologist who currently works in an elementary school in Eastern PA. Her caseload includes students in grades K-5 with a variety of social, emotional, cognitive, and academic needs, including students with selective mutism. Emily also participates as a counselor at the Child Mind Institute’s Brave Buddies programs for children with selective mutism. Prior to working as a speech pathologist, Emily taught preschool for 10 years and worked one-on-one with a student with selective mutism in this setting. Emily received her M.A. in Applied Developmental Psychology with a focus on Language Acquisition from George Mason University and her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from East Stroudsburg University. She continues to conduct and collaborate in research within the speech pathology field through East Stroudsburg University, where she also serves as a guest lecturer for graduate and undergraduate classes. Her professional interests are in helping children with anxiety and communication needs find the tools to communicate effectively and efficiently with those around them.
Taylor Hicks-Hosts, LP, NCSP
Taylor Hicks-Hoste is a licensed psychologist (LP) in the states of California and Michigan. She is also a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). She received her Ph.D. in school psychology from Michigan State University. Her professional experiences span across both school and clinic settings. As a school psychologist, she has serviced students, families and teachers, grades preschool through twelfth grade. She has also worked as a countywide behavioral health consultant, in which she has partnered with local districts in the promotion of mental health awareness and in the direct provision of school-based mental health supports to students. Her clinical work includes the treatment of children, teens, and families with an emphasis on anxiety-based disorders such as selective mutism, separation anxiety, and school refusal. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Selective Mutism Association.
Katelyn Reed, M.S., LLP
Katelyn is a Limited Licensed Psychologist who completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology at Eastern Michigan University. She utilizes a variety of evidence-based Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments for children, adolescents, and teens. Katelyn is particularly passionate about treating children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and regularly assists children and families dealing with depression concerns as well as disruptive behaviors. Katelyn emphasizes collaborative care and frequently works in partnership with parents and schools to best assist clients and to promote growth. She provides psychoeducational assessments to evaluate for concerns such as ADHD and learning disorders and functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) to determine what facilitates problematic behaviors so that interventions can be tailored to the child and his/her environment. Since joining Thriving Minds in 2013, Katelyn has worked extensively with children with Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety. In addition to therapy and assessments, Katelyn leads seminars for professionals and parents regarding Selective Mutism and other topics (e.g., effective use of time-out, potty-training, and challenging behaviors at bedtime) and she is the Assistant Director for Confident Kids Camp, an intensive week-long treatment program for children with Selective Mutism.
Program Objectives – Participants will be able to:
- Describe ways in which SM develops and appropriate timing for medical consultation
- State empirically-supported behavioral and cognitive treatment strategies, including PCIT-SM (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism) techniques for SM in school, home, and public (social) settings
- List 3 strategies to effectively engage school personnel and educational staff when implementing relevant treatment strategies specific to youth with SM
- List various forms of caregiver self-care when supporting children with SM
Participants who will benefit from this training include all caregivers of children with selective mutism. Other participants will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are encouraged to email info@selectivemutism.org with their particulars to discuss if this training is appropriate.
Prior Experience: The SMTI course is primarily intended for those with beginner and intermediate knowledge of SM.
Couple Information: For those interested in registering at the couple rate, please consider the following information. The couple rate is designed for spouses/partners who are caregivers of a child with SM who live in the same houeshold. When registering as a couple, each person must have access to a device and both people who are registered should be in separate rooms during the training to prevent feedback/technological interference. It is necessary to register both members of a couple to allow for appropriate ratios for practice. Only those with paid registrations will be able to participate in the practice sessions which are a significant portion of the training. If family members would like to listen in the background to the teaching part of the training and NOT participate in the practice sessions, they do not need to register. Only one entrance into the training will be allowed per individual registered. Two entrances to the training will be allowed per couple registraiton.
*Please note that this training is offered in English. If you need any special accommodations, please email Dr. Lisa Kovac at info@selectivemutism.org prior to registering.
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
Any cancellations made prior to February 8, 2023 will receive a full refund less a $35 processing fee. No refunds will be given after February 8, 2023.
