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Selective Mutism
Recommendations & Reviews
16 recommendations and reviews from 8 people
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Referral from
October 17, 2019
Anita D. asked:Hi there! My 4 year old started VPK this year and we had our first conference with his teachers yesterday. He hasn't said a single word to the teachers or classmates yet so SM was brought up in the conversation. They also suggested behavior therapy and FB support groups. Does anyone happen to be in the Tampa/ Brandon FL area that knows a good behavioral therapist? Thanks for any help!
Jennifer A. replied:That’s when we figured out our child had SM too. I’m not in the area but there is a SM specialist in your area. Taking our child to a provider that specialized in SM was the best thing we did. That and early intervention. Good luck on your journey! Here is a link for the provider in your area. https://www.selectivemutism.org/.../joleen-fernald-ccc.../
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Referral from
November 22, 2014
Holley F. asked:Is there anyone in the Atlanta, GA area one here that can recommend someone who is an expert with SM? My son is 11 (diagnosed at 6). He has come along way with his SM speaking to no one expect my husband and I behind closed doors. So proud of him but we seem to be at a stand still. He talks in a normal voice outside of school to everyone but once he walks through the doors, it's very minimal. He will answer teachers with a low voice, whispers to a couple of friends but that's it. It's been like this for 2 years with no progress. We've tried many alternative methods that have gotten us this far but nothing more. I've looked all over the internet and can't find anyone in my area that is an expertise in SM. Just feel defeated at the moment.Dawn S. replied:Have you tried http://www.selectivemutism.org/
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Referral from
October 1, 2014
Maria G. asked:I live in Hammond, Indiana. Does anyone know where I can take my granddaughter to get diagnosed for Selective Mutism. She is 14 years old. She is on Medicaid. Around here these psychologists don't know anything about Selective Mutism. HelpJoleen F. replied:While there are more treating professionals now than 10 years ago when my daughter was diagnosed, it's still difficult to find qualified assistance. You can check out www.selectivemutism.org and look under Finding Help. I've specialized in SM for 8 yrs now and have met many amazing clinicians along the way!Lisa S. replied:You need to contact Dr. Elisa Shipon - Blum at the Selective Mutism Ctr in PA. She cured my daughter, who had been mute for 10 years. I can not say enough great things about her.Linda K. replied:Maria, your story makes me feel so sad. I am a psychologist and I work with children who have selective mutism. I have found each child to be different, but each one is able to progress when the teachers and parents are trained in a behavioral program that helps everyone to move in the same direction. I do training in schools for teachers who I find have no clue what selective mutism is about. They often have the misconception that the children are being oppositional, manipulative or are just plain slow. Each misconception is so far from the truth. These children are crippled with anxiety, often an inherited condition from the parents. It is not anyone's fault, no trauma has befallen them. Just a genetic issues that requires brain retraining and sometimes medication. A cognitive behavioral approach in therapy can work wonders- kids with mutism develop their own set of rules for who they can speak. My role with the kids is to help them understand that they can make new rules to include others into their circle of "talking friends," until they are able to speak to anyone who they need to address or who addresses them.
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Referral from
August 24, 2014
Riki J. asked:Here is a state by state directory for doctors in the U.S. who treat or diagnose #SelectiveMutism . It may not be a complete list. *(I'm sharing this list for informational purposes only. I have not used any doctor listed and I'm not making any recommendations based on this list)Joleen F. replied:I strongly suggest using the Find A Treating Professional at www.selectivemutism.orgAimee K. replied:I looked through this list and it looks like psychologists who have paid to be part of directories. And I'm apparently not listed (although I'm the president of SMG!). The selective mutism group has a great list of professionals who treat SM - www.selectivemutism.org.
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Referral from
March 10, 2012
Shelly B. asked:Can anyone recommend anyone in Memphis, Tennessee?Michelle K. replied:I am available at any time if you would like to contact me. (kidscount2@hotmail.com) www.selectivemutism.org has alot of great resources for parents. My favorite are the parent ?'s (FAQ's) and the online library. Good luck in your search!
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Referral from
March 13, 2014
Jenny F. asked:I am struggling to find a therapist familiar with selective mutism. I have called many, many professionals! I am just curious if anyone has been to a therapist who specialized in childhood anxiety or something similar, but never treated SM. Is it detrimental to the child if the treating professional is not familiar with sm?The G. replied:Jenny, I'm sorry that you're struggling. Here are links from our website that may help you find a therapist: http://www.selectivemutism.org/find-help/treating-professionals http://www.selectivemutism.org/find-help/state-coordinator-list If you still come up empty handed, a therapist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy for childhood anxiety disorders should be able to learn about SM treatment and implement it effectively. Point him or her to our website as a starting point: www.selectivemutism.org Good luck -- don't give up! Alison
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Referral from
March 4, 2014
Brenda Z. asked:Where is the best place to find out about treatment for SM? My daughter has been seeing a psychologist for 5 months now and we aren't working on very much. I want to make sure we are getting the right treatment.The G. replied:Hi Brenda. Here are some links to help you find an SM expert if necessary: http://www.selectivemutism.org/.../find-treating... http://www.selectivemutism.org/fin.../state-coordinator-list And here are some resources for your current therapist to explore if s/he is able to learn about SM treatment: http://www.selectivemutism.org/resources/library http://www.selectivemutism.org/resources/abookstore Good luck!! ~Alison
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Referral from
July 12, 2013
Alex A. asked:Can someone please inbox me information on a therapist familiar with SM in Westchester County, NY. Completely frustrated with the list from a SM website. Thank you so much.The G. replied:Alex, I'm not sure which website you are looking at, and one of the things our organization is always trying to do is to list more treating professionals to help our families...its part of our mission to be constantly adding to the list. It can be challenging though! In case it was not our website you were looking at, try veiwing the SMG treating professional profiles, and also, try contacting the SMG state coordinators. We have quite a few in NY. State Coordiantors are volunteers wtih SMG that help connect families and local resources...they also might be able to help you find someone. Both of these resources can be found under the 'Find Help' tab on our website: http://www.selectivemutism.org/. Best wishes to you, and please keep us posted! Lisa
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Referral from
July 1, 2011
Katie B. asked:My daughter is 12 almost 13 and was not like this until grade school and after reading and speaking with a doctor this seems to be what is going on "selective mutism". Is there anywhere I can find resources on where to find a therapist to work with her in my area? She is almost a teen and then she will be an adult and I fear she will never communicate with the world. She refuses to speak to anyone other than her father and myself. She won't even speak to other family members. I am so lost as to what to do. right now she is only dx with social phobia, anxiety/panic and mild major depressive disorder. We as parents are so lost.The G. replied:Kate, I'm so sorry you guys are having so many difficulties, sounds like you are on the right track with an appropriate diagnosis. Have you checked our website to see if we have a state coordinator in your area? With her age and persistent SM, you are going to need someone with experience with SM to treat her. Where are you from? In the meantime, start by educating yourself about the disorder....our website also has a lot of articles about SM, good info in Ask the Doc archives, and FAQs. Also, check the bookstore for good books that would be appropriate. One book you may want to purchase (not on our website yet, but you can purchase through amazon) is Helping Children with Selective Mutism and their Parents, by Christopher Kearney. It just came out and may be a good resource for you. Our website is www.selectivemutism.org. Keep us posted. Lisa
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Referral from
June 23, 2011
Michelle T. asked:Hello, I am looking for help I have a 12 yr.old daughter who is sm, has been that way since 3yr.old where i live doesn't offer me much help with her . Please anyone out there that might can help me ?The G. replied:Have you tried contacting Sally Leatherwood? She is our State Coordinator in NC. Go to our website for her address. (www.selectivemutism.org) Look under 'Find Help' tab, 'Connections Overview', then 'Find a State Cooridnator'. Let me know if you can't find it (this website makes it hard to type out email addresses). Keep me posted.
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Referral from
May 5, 2011
Kim B. asked:I need someone who specializes in thisdisorder , that I could email as I have specific questions that I need answers to. Is there anyone out there who can help me?The G. replied:Where are you located? Have you checked out the FAQs and the Ask the Doc Archives on our website? (www.selectivemutism.org)
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Referral from
May 1, 2011
Angel S. asked:I have been reading about SMG and think my 13 yr old son can have this. Is there anyone who can refer a therapist in South Jersey where I can get some advise. Would be greatly appreciated.The G. replied:Angel, the SMG has two state coordinators in NJ. Check the website (www.selectivemutism.org) under 'State Coordinator Contact List' and their email is listed. Contact them and hopefully they can give you some info on local therapists. Hope this helps, and let me know if you need any other information.The G. replied:Maureen, Vera Joffe (who specializes in treating SM) is just north of you in Boca. She does travel. She is listed in our website (www.selectivemutism.org) as a treating professional. Look under Find Help, then Treating Professional Profiles, then Florida. Good luck.
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