Selective Mutism Clcinic

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.

SM impact about 1 in 100 children and can precent a child from being able to access their world. Kristin and Eleanor are experts in the treatment of SM. Together, they have brought the mental health treatment together with social pragmatic skills to support children with SM in a collective and comprehensive treatment.

Our SM Clinic is directed by Eleanor Ezell, LCSW with the support of Kristin Mathis, M.S., CCC-SLP.

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.

The anxiety that prevents children from engaging in verbal communication also significantly impacts their social pragmatic language development. Often times, children with a history of SM benefit from direct therapy to improve social communication skills and strategies to strengthen peer relationships.


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:

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.

Group Intensives are offered each summer to support group improvements in the treatment of SM.

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

Our Director offers selective mutism parent psychoeduction training groups for parents

Selective Mutism Learning University

FREE to the public platform to learn the basics of PCIT for selective mutism (PCIT-SM).

Selective Mutism Association

Both Eleanor Ezell and Kristin Mathis are involved with SMA outside of their work in the practice.

Selective Mutism Association

SMA is a non-profit that supports dissemination of resources and training on SM. Resources Hub for SMA which includes webinars, parent and professional communities.

SMA Webinar - Bathroom and Eating Exposures ( Eleanor Ezell Presenter)

This webinar is FREE to watch on YouTube and goes into details with how bathroom and eating cane be impacted in SM. Treatment options are discussed.

Selective Mutism Association Resources for Educators

Selective Mutism Educators Web Course is an excellent, low cost, course for educators to learn about SM. Educators a receive CE’s for completing the course.

Selective Mutism Association Educators Toolkit (FREE)

This resource supports educations in understanding SM and how to support students in school.