Selective Mutism 101

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, Senior Director for the Anxiety Disorders Center and Director of the Selective Mutism Service at the Child Mind Institute, as she discusses the distinguishing characteristics and diagnostic features of Selective Mutism. Dr. Busman will review some common myths and perceptions about SM, along with how SM is negatively reinforced. She will discuss PCIT-SM (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for SM) in-depth and review skills to help your child with their ‘brave talking.” Finally, she will discuss how to help your child continue with their peaking progress despite COVID related barriers.

Presenter: Rachel Busman, Psy.D., ABPP, is a clinical psychologist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety and mood disorders in children and adolescents. As Senior Director for the Anxiety Disorders Center and Director of the Selective Mutism Service at the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Busman leads a team of clinicians providing evaluation and innovative treatment to children with selective mutism. She oversees the program Brave Buddies, SM which is an intensive program for children with Selective Mutism. She has extensive experience providing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to children, teenagers, and young adults struggling with psychiatric disorders, school difficulties, and behavioral problems. Dr. Busman also has specific interest and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety, social phobia and specific phobias. Prior to joining the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Busman worked for 8 years in both the inpatient psychiatric and outpatient community metal health settings. She was a professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College, and continues to be an active supervisor to trainees. She is Past President of the Selective Mutism Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors.

This webinar is brought to you by the Selective Mutism Association and was made possible by a generous grant from the Gordon and Marilyn Macklin Foundation, Inc.