What every parent can do to help their child with selective mutism

Saturday 20th March 2021, 10am to 1pm – face-to-face seminar

Thursday 25th March 2021, 5.30-8.30pm – webinar

 

This 3-hour seminar about selective mutism is for parents, carers, and family members who would like to understand more about selective mutism and specific strategies to help their child become confident communicators at school and in other social settings.

Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder similar to social anxiety whereby children who talk freely and normally at home feel anxious in social situations such as school or talking to strangers, and are unable to talk.

Selective mutism can be treated, but usually requires 1 to 2 years of treatment in order to resolve completely. Treatment usually involves an intensive program at preschool/school, 1 on 1 sessions with a psychologist, and lots of practise communicating in various social situations outside school.

This seminar is being run as part of the clinic’s new “Quick Talk” program, which is a combination of intensive workshops for the parent and school, assessment with the director, tailored recommendations, and self-guided implementation of strategies.

 

Topics that will be covered in the seminar:

• What is Selective Mutism
• Differences between Selective Mutism and shyness
• Factors that cause the variability in how much children with selective mutism can communicate
• Specific strategies for parents to start to help children start to speak in social situations
• The Selective Mutism Clinic’s intensive school program for selective mutism
• Common issues and questions

 

The seminar is recommended for:

• Parents/carers and relatives of children with Selective Mutism, extreme shyness, social anxiety disorder, or extremely reluctant talkers

 

About the presenter:

The seminar will be conducted by Dr Elizabeth Woodcock, a Clinical Psychologist, who established and is the Director of the Selective Mutism Clinic in Sydney. She is co-author of the book chapter ‘Treatment Programmes for Children with Selective Mutism’ in the book ‘Innovations and Advances in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy’ edited by D. Einstein (2007). Elizabeth has worked in both private practice and the public sector, in both research and clinical settings for over fifteen years. Elizabeth provides treatment for children and adults with a range of clinical disorders, and regularly provides training seminars for teachers, parents, and clinicians about Selective Mutism.

Location:

The seminar on Saturday 20th March 2021 will be held in the Crows Nest Centre, at 2 Ernest Place, Crows Nest. The centre is a 15-minute walk from St Leonards’ train station, and close to buses. Click here to go to the Crows Nest Centre website. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

The seminar will be repeated as a webinar on Thursday 25th March from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

Parking:

Holtermann Street Car Park is just behind the Crows Nest Centre: the car park offers up to 2 hours’ free parking; the cost for the third hour is $8.20, and $6.20 per half hour thereafter. There is ample parking in the streets surrounding the centre, although please carefully check the time restrictions.

Cost:

The seminar price is $150. Cancelled bookings can be transferred but not refunded.

Registrations:

To register, please click on the link below to pay via Paypal or credit card. This will add the relevant items to your basket, then navigate to the basket and follow the links. Alternatively you can pay over the phone by calling our reception on (02) 9438 2511 or emailing the clinic.  We would prefer that parents attend the face-to-face seminar if you are able to make this date. However, if this date is inconvenient or you are living out of area, then you can book the webinar. After booking please let the clinic know directly whether you will be attending the face-to-face seminar or the webinar.