What is Selective Mutism (SM)?

Selective Mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder that affects children both in a school environment and somewhere in their community.
Despite speaking at home with parents and siblings in a day to day environment, they become nonverbal in settings they are not used to or that make them feel anxious.
How does a therapist treat Selective Mutism?
SM can be effectively treated using Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM), which is an evidence based approach developed by Dr. Steven Kurtz. During these sessions, the therapist coaches the parents in-vivo to train them on how to help their children become verbal in their everyday life. These sessions are held in the office, virtually and in the community, where the child struggles the most.
In PCIT-SM, the therapist also spends a lot of time consulting with the child's school. We know that school is often the place where these children struggle the most, and therefore, we spend time training and supporting the school staff on how to help their students become verbal and more comfortable. Oftentimes, we move our sessions to the school so that we can help the child become verbal in the very place they have the most difficulty.
How does MPG train and certify professionals in PCIT-SM?
Chelsey Rosen (Gil), PsyD, is a PCIT-SM Within Agency Trainer. She leads MPG’s SM Training Program with the support of other trained providers of PCIT-SM at MPG. D. Rosen trained directly under the instruction and supervision of Dr. Kurtz, the founder of PCIT-SM, and she conducts her trainings and supervision using the the same PCIT-SM training and guidelines he developed.
Can I attend the SM training independently or do I need to enroll in the full certification program?
Yes, you can participate in MPG’s SM Training without completing the ongoing supervision and certification that follow.
How long is the training?
The training is 16 hours of didactics over 3 days. The training is via Zoom with an optional, highly recommended, in-person component. After participants complete the 3-day training, they have the option to complete ongoing supervision and graduate from two Selective Mutism cases with MPG in order to receive their certification, as well.

What additional training is required for PCIT-SM Certification at MPG?
The pathway to Certification is for Mental Health clinicians only. Candidates must be licensed for independent practice in a mental health, behavioral health, or an allied health field. You are required to participate in monthly supervision for the duration of the training, and will be able to attend as many group supervision sessions that are offered up to the maximum number of registered participants.
Please note: due to the within agency restriction, you will need to be a W-2 employee of MPG in order to receive ongoing supervision and selective mutism cases in order to achieve certification. MPG currently offers part-time W-2 employment. Pay rates depend on education and experience.
Manhattan Psychology Group, PC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0221.
What additional training and treatment is available for BCBAs at MPG?
Ongoing paid supervision options provided weekly. MPG is dedicated to cultivating our team members' professional skills, therefore, MPG trainees and employees can receive ongoing SM supervision for free!
Testimonials from previous participants in MPG’s SM Training:
- “Excellent training with an excellent trainer. I was impressed by the training team’s ability to integrate both virtual and in person participants.”
- "This is one of the most informative CEUs I have taken to date. It was a very high quality, child focused CEU for Mental Health clinicians.”
- “This was a very informative and interactive training!”
Training Includes:
- Welcome, Introduction & Goal Setting
- Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM) Overview
- Assessment in PCIT-SM
- Child-Directed Interaction (CDI)
- CDI Guided Practice & Skills; Checkouts
- Verbal Directed Interaction (VDI)
- VDI Guided Practice & Skills; Checkouts
- Fade-Ins to Others in Childs Talking Circle
- Collaborating with Schools: Accommodations, IEP and 504
- Common Barriers to Treatment
- Q+A