There are not many child therapists that specialize in selective mutism. It can be a challenge to find options near you. My family is located in the US. What I found in my hunt was the closer you are to a major city the more options you had.
How to find a therapist
Selective Mutism Association has a page where you can search for support. This was my starting point. You can look in various countries throughout the world and narrow in your search to where you live and if you want care in person or virtual. Another good site with many providers listed throughout the world is Kurtz Psychology.
I also google searched what options were in my area to try to find what would work best for my family. In person support was the starting search I did. I worked remotely at the time and my son had “joined in” on some of my calls. Virtually communicating was a slightly different experience than in person for him so the option of being in person felt important.
Each kid is different and will have different needs. Determine what is most important to your situation as you reach out and find therapy options. Like any therapy, you may need to try multiple therapists to make sure you get the right fit for your family.
Who we work with
Looking for in person was tough because there aren’t a ton of options where we live. I did find an in person option that is not too far from us, Boston Child Study Center (BCSC). After going through the initial meetings with them we learned that while they have an office near us that office had a long wait list but if we did virtual we could get therapy started sooner.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to us was helping my son get the support he needed to be able to bravely speak at daycare and provide my husband and I the best skills to support him. He had been in the daycare for about 6 months at that point and still wasn’t talking at all. So we went with the virtual option.
Our therapist through BCSC has been wonderful and we have been working with her for over a year and half. She has helped meet with his daycare, his IEP provider, and his elementary school to provide them with resources about SM. When I say find those people that will help you advocate for your child’s needs. A therapist you choose to work with with hopefully be one of those people for you.
Other therapy options I found
I have never worked with any of these other organizations but wanted to share some of the places I found in my searches in case it is helpful.
- Child Mind Institute
- Center for Emotional Health
- The Child Family Institute
- Selective Mutism, Anxiety, and Related Disorders, Treatment Center
- Thriving Minds
Share in the comments. Are there therapists you like? Have you had a hard time finding care?