Join our weekly drop in group coaching services.
This is an opportunity for parents to connect with one another under the guidance of an SM expert.
The group coaching sessions are personally moderated by Dr. Bork and run every Saturday. Dr. Bork is renowned for her expertise in resolving severe, long standing, and resistant to treatment cases of SM. Not only has she successfully treated her own children while others have failed, she has also resolved many similar cases within hours (not months or years). It is no wonder parents and treating professionals turned to Dr. Bork for help when “nothing is working,” or the “progress is too slow,” or “my child stop progressing.”
One study conducted by Dr. Bork demonstrated the success in treating children with SM within 130 minutes each of their time using the VSR technique is published in the peer-reviewed paper “Video self-modeling, fading, and reinforcement: An effective treatment of children with selective mutism” in Journal of Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry (2019).
If you're interested in joining the Parent Group Coaching event, please contact us and indicate this under "Reason for contact" field. Note that we require a minimum of 3 families to run this 40 minute session. Group Coaching normally runs on Saturdays but can be arranged otherwise if there were more than 3 households participating.
In lieu of membership fees (which we do not charge!), we ask that each household make a minimum of CAD$15 donation to the nonprofit.
Workshops
For School
A virtual or on site consultation with school personnel to discuss specific student needs and offer suggestions for accommodations and school-based intervention plan using the VSR method that has proven to treat SM in less than 3 hours of each child’s time.
This consultation focuses on assisting your child fully immersing themselves in the school. Specifically, with activities that foster speech. As a result, becoming fully verbal at school.
For Families
A virtual or on site consultation with care-takers (parents, grandparents, baby-sitters) to develop a home and community based intervention plan using the VSR method that has proven to treat SM in less than 3 hours of each child’s time.
To put it another way, this consultation aims improves the child’s ability to freely speak to every one at home and within their community.
Mixed Group
A virtual or on site consultation with all the stakeholders (classroom teachers, parents) to discuss how to develop and implement an individualized SM intervention for a child in all settings at once using the VSR method, which has proven to treat SM under 3 hours of each child’s time.
Workshop
This workshop is designed for anyone who interacts with a child with selective mutism (SM) in a school setting. For instance, principals, teachers, speech-language pathologists, communicative disorders assistants, social workers, child & youth workers, educational assistants, psychologists, custodians, and librarians. Parents and other health care professionals will benefit from attending this as well.
This workshop presents the most up-to-date resources on SM. These resources include case studies on etiology, prevalence, effects of SM as well as assessment and treatment approaches. Additionally, participants learn how to set up an inclusive and inviting learning environment, and to provide accommodations for the child in the school.
Furthermore, participants will learn why some school-based interventions do not work, and why the “VSR” method (coined by Dr. Bork) is the most effective approach for SM intervention.
Ultimately, Dr. Bork equips participants with the knowledge to develop their own individualized SM intervention based on the VSR technique.
Empirical Research Workshop
To the best of our knowledge, Dr. Bork is the first researcher to propose using software applications to help shape verbal behaviour (Bork, 2010). As a result, In this workshop, Dr. Bork shares her current research and the implication of using virtual reality for SM intervention.
Moreover, Dr. Bork also discusses her next project with researchers from Computer Science and Mathematics using Machine Learning (a branch of Artificial Intelligence) to treat SM.
We encourage researchers, budding researchers, and or individuals who are interested in learning more about SM and wish to collaborate on research studies to attend.
Coaches
What we've observed while talking to and coaching families with a loved one suffering from selective mutism (SM) is that they have invested considerable time and effort in searching for a therapist experienced in treating SM in a timely and cost-effective manner. However, this has often proved challenging. That’s why we've decided to use this platform to connect families with coaches who have personally experienced SM, either themselves or through a loved one. These coaches genuinely understand SM because they have lived through it! If you or someone you know is looking for a coach to guide their family through their SM journey, feel free to look through the list of coaches available at SMF :)
The Selective Mutism Foundation does not collect coaching fees; we simply facilitate connections within the SM community. SMF is not involved in the coaching sessions and does not guarantee their outcomes. We strongly advise caretakers to seek guidance from healthcare practitioners and other professionals.
Interested in joining our list of SM coaches? Please review the coaching agreement form for more information!
Dr. Poling Bork
Personal SM Experience: Personally had SM, and 3 children with SM
Language: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Taiwanese
Parents: I completely understand all the struggles, worries, and stress you’re going through. I’ve raised THREE SM kids to become successful adults, plus helped many families to do the same! I will:
- Help your child become comfortable in all situations to start speaking naturally (without pressure!).
- Help advocate for your child at school and in all social contexts.
- Provide helpful activities, some involve technologies!
- Explain evidence-based techniques (in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format) to you and those care for your child, therapist included!
Count on me every step of the way (virtual or in-person). I know you CAN do this!
Ina Helgesen
Personal SM Experience: Personally had SM, has a child with SM
Language: English and Norwegian
Overcoming selective mutism requires a personalized approach tailored to each individual's unique needs. My coaching services provide comprehensive support and effective strategies for those with SM, considering any co-occurring diagnoses and the specific impact of SM on their lives.
- Thorough assessments to understand specific challenges and strengths. I can assess, but not diagnose.
- Tailored plans based on assessment results.
- Guidance and support for parents and family members.
- Strategies for creating a supportive home environment.
- Work with educators to implement effective classroom strategies.
- Training and resources for teachers to support students with SM.
- Regularly review and adjust the coaching plan.
- Ongoing support and encouragement.
Use of Technology:
- Incorporate the Quiet V app for progress tracking and additional support.
- Online sessions for flexibility and accessibility.
Kelly Melhorn
Personal SM Experience: A young child with SM
Language: English
It is important for me to have an understanding of the individual – what they like, what is important to the family, how to incorporate goals and objectives into the family’s day to day life. I help parents have a firm understanding of what SM is and isn’t, I help find the important first steps to allow the child to begin making progress, I look at the various environments the child is in and help the parents understand what changes to make to set the child up for success, and most importantly, I’m someone who “gets it” – I know how hard this journey is, but I also know how amazing even the smallest of wins feel and I love to celebrate them with parents!
Wilmari Naude
Personal SM Experience: A young child with SM
Language: English and Afrikaans
I like to do a video call with the parents and chat a bit on how kids are and where they currently at with school and speaking. I then advise them on ways that their kid will benefit the best using the tools I have learned in the last few years.
- Desensitization
- Brave tongue
- Sound and movement
- Grounding
- Helping parents to not speak for their kids
- Resources for teachers
- Helping family members
- Games to help find their brave voices
Toni Pakula
Personal SM Experience: 3 children with SM
Language: English
Hi, I am Toni Pakula, a holistic trauma-informed health practitioner specialising in Selective Mutism (SM). Drawing on a decade of personal experience and research, I offer bespoke services:
- Coaching: Personalised guidance for navigating SM.
- Gradual Exposure: Step-by-step desensitization to anxiety.
- Gradual Exposure: Step-by-step desensitization to anxiety.
- Nutritional Support: Essential nutrients for holistic well-being.
- Individualised Educational Plans: Strategies for academic success.
- Presentations: Educating on SM awareness.
No matter where you are based in the world, I provide comprehensive support through teletherapy addressing SM, by integrating the nervous system and gut health strategies.
Avery Sunshine
Personal SM Experience: Personally had SM, has two children with SM
Language: English
My coaching style is deeply rooted in love, trust, empathy, fun, and encouragement. I am team with my clients and work closely with them , caring deeply about their progress and results. I believe in brave exposure practice (desensitization ) guiding them to gradually embrace, face, and navigate through their fears to improve their social interactions. Creating a supportive environment and circle of people around my clients is essential—educating everyone involved from family and friends to schools and extracurricular activities.
I use various techniques, including rapport-building through PRIDE skills/CDI (Child-Directed Interaction), VDI (Verbal Directed Interaction), stimulus fading, and shaping (communication ladder). Additionally, I integrate psycho-education, anxiety assessment, goal setting, reward systems, mindfulness practices, and emotional intelligence into my coaching approach. I also emphasize the importance of fostering a growth mindset and developing self-worth, self-love, self-confidence, and the importance of continuously expanding their comfort zone.
This work requires a lot of intentional practice, consistency , motivation, and a strong team. Those with selective mutism cannot do this work alone, and parents cannot do it alone either. Together, we are always stronger!
Mona Taremi
Contact: selectivemutismcanada@gmail.com
Personal SM Experience: Personally had SM, and a young child with SM
Language: English, Persian
Living with selective mutism poses significant challenges, regardless of whether you’re a child, teenager, or an adult. The inability to communicate thoughts, ideas, and needs can be extremely debilitating. Based on my personal journey with selective mutism and my experiences as a parent, I’ve observed that it is often difficult for family, friends, teachers, and even some therapists to grasp, which limits their capacity to provide effective support. The reassuring news is that you’re not alone in this journey. You don’t have to navigate life with selective mutism feeling isolated. As an SM coach, my aim is to assist you in overcoming selective mutism by providing tailored support and equipping you with the necessary tools to lead a fulfilling life.