Due to the long history and efficacy of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and its applicability to multiple disorders, PCIT has been adapted as a highly effective treatment for children with Selective Mutism. PCIT-SM incorporates behavioral treatments in exposure situations to decrease avoidant behavior and promote the child’s speech. Treatment begins in the clinic and expands to other social settings. Parents are taught behavioral principles that are practiced in play within the dyad, to become the agents of change in the intervention. Through the coaching and skill building of parents, the negative reinforcement cycle that often maintains SM in their children is reversed, and verbal behavior increases.

PCIT-SM builds a positive, trusting and secure relationship with your child. We then use this relationship to help them develop and practise their brave talking.

The first phase of PCIT-SM, Child Directed Interaction (CDI) works on enhancing the relationship between the parent and the child. This ensures the child’s anxiety is lowered, and the bond between the caregiver and the child is strengthened. Parents become proficient in the use of skills, which further supports their ability to support their child even when anxious. The second phase of treatment is known as Verbal Directed Interaction (VDI).

VDI works by prompting the child and asking questions. Once the child verbally responds to these prompts consistently, the focus of VDI pivots to generalizing speech to new environments and people utilizing exposure activities.

In all phases of treatment, the therapist, behind a one-way mirror and with the use of an earbud, provides in vivo support and coaches the parent to develop their skills. Sessions are scheduled weekly for an hour. The number of sessions needed is dependent upon the parent’s ability to acquire the skills to a criterion level and the child’s successful progression through treatment (i.e., a reduction in symptoms). Consultations can also be conducted via telehealth.