Keeping children’s anxiety at bay can be challenging while navigating these uncertain times of COVID-19. Join Dr. Rachel Busman and Dr. Jami Furr as they share tips for mitigating your child’s and teen’s anxiety.
Resources Categories: Videos & Webinars
Webinar: Courage at Camp
Are you looking to help a child with Selective Mutism successfully navigate the world of summer camps? Join Dr. Rachel Merson as she discusses how to support children with SM in engaging at and speaking in camp programs this summer. Whether camp attendance is virtual or in-person, strategies will be provided for setting and accomplishing brave talking goals, particularly with consideration to coronavirus-related changes.
Webinar: Selective Mutism 101: Myths, Tips, and Treatment
Do you suspect that your child has selective mutism or has your child recently been diagnosed? Are you seeking a better understanding of this disorder and how to best help your child? If you are like most parents, you have many questions and are struggling to find answers. Please join Rachel Busman, Psy.D., ABPP as she discusses the distinguishing characteristics and diagnostic features of Selective Mutism.
Webinar: Using Telehealth for Selective Mutism
Join Dr. Rachel Busman, Dr. Jami Furr, Dr. Steven Kurtz, Aileen Herrera and Katelyn Reed as they discuss using telehealth while treating selective mutism. The panel covers what platforms they are using and why, as well as the different methods to best continue working with your clients. They discuss typical barriers to practicing online, managing parents’ expectations and the importance of self-care.
Webinar: Your Questions Answered: Enhancing Motivation in the Treatment of Adolescents with Selective Mutism – Part II
During “Enhancing Motivation in the Treatment of Adolescents with SM – Part I”, Dr. Shelley Avny presented the “whys” and “hows” of enhancing treatment motivation and engagement among adolescents with Selective Mutism. Part II is broken down into several themes, guided by audience questions from Part I. These themes include: the virtual era (school and therapy), parent involvement (reducing enabling and using supportive techniques), scaffolding and scaling back exposures, medication, and rewards/contingencies.
Webinar: Practical Applications to Enhance Motivation in the Treatment of Adolescents with Selective Mutism
There is a subset of the population whose selective mutism persists into adolescence. Developmental factors in teenagers can hinder motivation. Therefore, strategies have been recommended to help motivate and engage adolescents in treatment.
Webinar: My PCIT: A Personalized Version of PCIT for Culturally Diverse Families
This webinar will highlight a program developed to personalize Parent-Child Interaction Therapy designed to be responsive to particular parent explanatory models. Personalization is based on the assessment of modifiable, culturally-influenced PEM targets prior to the start of PCIT and the provision of corresponding tools to therapists to increase the cultural congruence of the intervention with relevant parent explanatory models. This type of method provides flexibility in the application of adaptations, tailored to the assessment of culturally-influenced constructs across racial/ethnic groups.
Webinar: S-CAT® Treatment and Strategies to Help Children/Teens with Selective Mutism Speak in School
Jennifer Brittingham, a licensed professional counselor at the SMart Center, discusses:
– What is S-CAT® -Social Communication Anxiety Treatment?
-S-CAT® and the treatment of Selective Mutism
-Diagnostic criteria, etiology, and presenting symptoms
-Contributing factors to SM
-Goals of S-CAT®
-S-CAT® strategies at home and within the school setting
-Using S-CAT® across educational platforms and current pandemic. Tools for transition.
Webinar: My Journey Through Silence: A Young Adult’s Perspective on Selective Mutism
Jonathan Kohlmeier was diagnosed with selective mutism at age 5. Through extensive therapy he was able to overcome his SM. At the age of 19 he wrote a book about his experiences called Learning to Play the Game: My Journey Through Silence. From not speaking to a single classmate in kindergarten to eventually being on his high school debate team, Jonathan will talk about his journey and answer questions. Moderating the discussion will be Dr. Steven Kurtz, Jonathan’s own doctor who helped him challenge his SM as a child.
Webinar: What are the Executive Functions and Are They Important in Selective Mutism and Childhood Anxiety Disorders?
The executive functions are seminal components in children’s development and adjustment. When thinking of child and adolescent disorders, most executive function investigations have focused on excessive behaviors such poor attention control, impulsivity, and aggression. However, the executive functions play a role in anxiety disorders as well.