Selective Mutism Association
Presents
the Selective Mutism Training Institute for Caregivers of Children with Selective Mutism
Location: Online Training
Time: 9:00-3:30 PM Eastern Standard Time on October 17 and October 18
SMTI is made possible through the generous support of the Gordon and Marilyn Macklin Foundation, Inc.
Cost
Participation early bird registration (Registration prior to September 1): $250
Registration after September 1: $299
Program Overview
The Selective Mutism Training Institute (SMTI) is an in-depth 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, allowing participants to further apply the skills in their own unique settings.
The workshop starts with providing a framework for understanding the development of SM, highlighting the role of nature, nurture, temperament, and developmental differences in the onset and maintenance of SM, social anxiety, and other common co-occurring disorders. Evidence-based behavioral and cognitive interventions will be covered in depth. This training will give you the skills needed to assess how and with whom your child is communicating in different contexts and help move those skills forward. In addition, caregivers will learn treatment strategies to improve family interactions and child participation in extracurricular activities, to negotiate playdates with other children, and to solicit help from others to support your child’s progress. This training will also cover critical school intervention and how to help your children succeed in this environment.
In addition to traditional (e.g., weekly) treatment, other treatment formats will be discussed, including intensive treatments, group-based interventions, and school consultation. Parental self-care, practical applications of treatment (e.g., playdates), and accessing additional support will also be reviewed.
Program Objectives
- After this course, participants will be able to describe ways in which selective mutism develops and appropriate timing for medication consultation.
- After this course, participants will be able to state empirically-supported behavioral and cognitive treatment strategies, including PCIT-SM (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism) techniques for selective mutism in school, home, and public (social) settings.
- After this course, participants will be able to list three strategies to effectively engage school personnel and educational staff when implementing relevant treatment strategies specific to youth with selective mutism.
- After this course, participants will be able to list various forms of caregiver self-care when supporting children with selective mutism.
Audience
Participants who would benefit from this training include all caregivers of children with selective mutism. This training course is not intended for professionals.
Prior experience: The SMTI course is primarily intended for those with beginner and intermediate exposure to work with SM.
Presenter Information
Rachel Busman, Psy.D., ABPP
Rachel Busman, Psy.D., ABPP is the senior director of the Anxiety Disorders Center and director of the Selective Mutism Service at the Child Mind Institute. She leads a team of clinicians providing evaluation and innovative treatment to children with selective mutism. Dr. Busman is Past President of the Selective Mutism Association, the nation’s largest network of professionals, families, and individuals with selective mutism. Dr. Busman has extensive experience providing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to children, teenagers and young adults struggling with anxiety disorders, school difficulties and behavioral problems. She also has specific interest and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and specific phobias. Dr. Busman has worked with children in both inpatient and outpatient settings at a major academic medical center, where she directed a multidisciplinary team. She has taught and supervised psychiatry residents and child psychiatry fellows, and lectured extensively on a variety of topics, including the evidence-based assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and teens. Dr. Busman works intensively with children who have selective mutism, and is dedicated to establishing trust and instilling a sense of hope in her patients as she helps them on their path to recovery.
Jami Furr, Ph.D.
Jami Furr, Ph.D. is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Senior Psychologist in the Mental Health Interventions and Technology (MINT) Program, and the Selective Mutism Program at the Center for Children and Families at Florida International University (FIU). Dr. Furr has extensive expertise in cognitive-behavioral treatments of childhood anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders, with a focus on preschool mental health and intensive group treatment programs for children with selective mutism – directing the first randomized clinical trial of the intensive group behavioral treatment for selective mutism in young children. Dr. Furr received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University. Dr. Furr completed her clinical psychology internship at the NYU-Bellevue Clinical Psychology Internship Program and the NYU Child Study Center, after which she completed an NIH-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship in Child Psychiatry at the NYU Child Study Center.
Rachel Merson, Psy.D.
Rachel Merson, Psy.D. is the Clinical Director of the Child and Adolescent Fear and Anxiety Treatment Program at the Boston University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (Child CARD). Dr. Merson has extensive experience providing evidence-based treatment to children and adolescents with a range of anxiety disorders and co-occurring emotional and behavioral concerns. As Director of Child CARD’s Selective Mutism Program, she oversees Brave Bunch, Child CARD’s intensive group treatment program for young children with SM. In addition, Dr. Merson is actively involved in providing supervision and training to Child CARD graduate students and trainees. She frequently conducts workshops with schools and community agencies on selective mutism and other topics related to child anxiety.
Dr. Merson completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia where she majored in Psychology and graduated with High Distinction. She went on to earn her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) at Rutgers University. Dr. Merson completed a one-year, APA-approved internship at Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston, Massachusetts.
Katelyn Reed, M.S., LLP
Katelyn is a Limited Licensed Psychologist and the Selective Mutism Program Director at Thriving Minds Family Services, located in Chelsea, MI. She completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology at Eastern Michigan University where she focused on evidence-based behavioral and cognitive behavioral interventions for children and adolescents. Through her work at Thriving Minds, Katelyn specializes in treating children with Selective Mutism via traditional weekly therapy, intensive therapy (i.e., 15-20 hours of treatment in one week), and group therapy models. Katelyn is also the Assistant Director for Confident Kids Camp, an intensive week-long treatment program for children with Selective Mutism.
Katelyn joined the Board of Directors for the Selective Mutism Association in 2017. She is passionate about spreading awareness about Selective Mutism and about effective treatment techniques.
