Selective Mutism Clinic

Get to know Selective Mutism Clinic

From Selective Mutism Clinic's website.

• Our approach

  The clinic uses evidence-based cognitive-behavioural strategies to help children gradually build their communication skills. Treatment is tailored to each child and involves the child, parent, and school working together. Sessions include games, activities, and earning rewards for 'brave communication' to keep children motivated. The approach recognises each child's unique needs and strengths, respecting their preferred communication style—whether verbal, written, or alternative—while addressing anxiety. Therapists teach children valuable skills in recognising emotions and managing anxiety, helping them face their fears of communicating in different situations like school and community settings.

• Working with families

  Parents are central to the treatment process and are involved from the start. The first two sessions are held with parents alone to discuss your child's communication difficulties, followed by psychoeducation and practical strategies. Parents are taught ways to support their child emotionally at home, manage anxiety, and support communication in community settings through role plays and practice. The clinic regularly liaisons with school staff and other people in your child's life to provide education about Selective Mutism and tailored strategies. Parents are also helped to understand their own anxiety and how it may affect their ability to support their child in speaking up.

• Meet the team

  The team includes Clinical Psychologists and Speech Pathologists, all with Masters or Doctorate degrees in their field and registered with their professional bodies (AHPRA or Speech Pathology Australia). All clinicians have extensive training and experience in treating Selective Mutism, receive regular supervision, and attend ongoing professional development. The clinic is directed by Dr Elizabeth Woodcock, a Clinical Psychologist with a PhD, and includes Clinical Psychologists Dr Macy Chan and Dr Natalie Mirabito, along with experienced Speech Pathologists and Psychology Registrars. Certain team members can also deliver therapy in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean, and the clinic has a therapy dog, Obi, who participates in sessions.

• Your first visit

  The first appointment begins with two initial sessions held with parents alone, without the child present, allowing you to speak openly about your child's communication difficulties. The first session is a comprehensive assessment lasting approximately one hour, followed by a 50-minute session providing psychoeducation, program information, and practical strategies to prepare both you and your child for therapy. An initial one-hour video meeting with your child's school is also arranged to support a collaborative approach. From the third session onwards, your child will be included as part of their ongoing treatment, which can be delivered face-to-face or online via Zoom.