This article aims to demystify selective mutism - a diagnosis that is often misunderstood - and guide you toward the most effective means of treating SM.

Many of us can recall a time when we’ve felt very intense emotions… one of those moments of emotional “crisis” where we had that terrible, sinking feeling that “this moment will never end.” And in these moments, it feels nearly impossible to do the things that need to be done.

Hard work and high expectations are often rewarded in our society. We can see these traits being praised and rewarded all around us, including at work and in school. So what happens when your child’s hard work and expectations of themself go beyond what is reasonable or helpful? Where do we draw the line between healthy striving and unhelpful perfectionism? How do you support your child when their need to succeed, achieve, and get things “just right” seems to cause them such pain and distress?

In the world of therapy and mental health, there are countless acronyms floating around. So you might be wondering… what exactly is “ERP” and how might it benefit my child or me?

Doing differently isn’t easy. And being told to “just make better choices” is not useful or can be hurtful. Sometimes we need a step-by-step strategy to figure out what went wrong and how to do better next time. In walks Missing Links Analysis.

If you are a parent or caregiver of an anxious child, there is no doubt that you are effortfully trying to support them. You have given words of encouragement, answered their many "what if" questions, and eliminated anxiety provoking cues. You may have noticed that although these strategies help reduce distress in the short-term, anxiety hasn't gone away, and, in fact, you may have even observed it getting much worse!