EP65 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and clinical psychiatrist, Dr. Jami Furr, on the critical role parents play in their child's Selective Mutism treatment.

In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Furr explore the importance of gradual exposure techniques, the impact of parental anxiety, the necessity of creating a supportive environment for children and more.

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Chapters: 

(5:16) The Parent's Role – Facilitators of Progress and Change

(10:36) Understanding Parental Anxiety and Its Impact on Treatment

(16:22) Cognitive Strategies and Prepare Steps for Parents

(23:24) Building Confidence Through Gradual Exposure and Practice

(37:26) Passing the Baton – Empowering Families for Long-Term Success

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Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference with your child or teen’s school staff. 5.5 CEs/CEUs are available. 

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

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For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP64 of the Unspoken Words podcast features our latest installment of our Ask Dr. E series, where we answer real questions from our listeners.

In this episode, we answer five essential questions about selective mutism; including how to distinguish selective mutism from extreme shyness, recognizing behavioral indicators across different settings, understanding the diagnostic process, common mistakes to avoid when helping children with SM, and knowing when to seek professional help.

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Chapters: 

(3:39) What's the difference between selective mutism and extreme shyness, and how can adults recognize the distinction?

(12:52) What are key indicators of selective mutism, and how does it differ at home versus school?

(20:25) What's the diagnostic process for selective mutism, and how is it differentiated from social anxiety or speech disorders?

(28:40) What common mistakes do parents and teachers make helping children with selective mutism, and what should be avoided?

(37:41) When should parents seek professional help for a non-speaking child, and which specialist should they consult?

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Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

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For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP63 features a discussion between Dr E and Dr. Jenna Blum, a lead Clinical Psychologist at the SMart Center and the Director of the SMart Center’s growing general mental health department, Counseling & Assessments.

In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna discuss the upcoming halloween holiday.

They talk through practical strategies for helping children with Selective Mutism navigate Halloween activities successfully, how to make Halloween fun rather than pressure-filled, ways to tailor experiences to each child's comfort level and developmental stage, and more.

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Chapters: 

(3:14) Golden Rules for Halloween Success

(05:34) Social Engagement and Front-Line Participation

(07:34) At-Home Halloween Activities

(13:46) Trick-or-Treating Preparation

(18:32) School Halloween Parties

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Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

Learn more about our SM in the School self-paced online course, eligible for 5.5 continuing education credits.

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

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Reference Handout(s) discussed during episode:

• Three Ways to Prepare for Halloween: https://selectivemutismcenter.org/three-ways-to-prepare-for-halloween/
• Halloween Tips & Tricks: https://selectivemutismcenter.org/tricks-treats-for-a-successful-halloween/

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For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP62 features a discussion between Dr E and Dr. Jenna Blum, a lead Clinical Psychologist at the SMart Center and the Director of the SMart Center’s growing general mental health department, Counseling & Assessments.

In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna discuss how to encourage decision making, the importance of fostering self-help skills, developing your child’s problem-solving skills and more.

Dr. E and Dr. Jenna Blum discuss strategies for empowering teens and young adults to boost their independence and confidence.

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Chapters: 

(3:41) The Role of Parents in Supporting Independence

(9:47) Setting Personal Goals for Teens

(22:13) Time Management and Independence

(31:21) The Importance of Decision Making

(38:50) Fostering Independence and Financial Literacy

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Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

Learn more about our SM in the School self-paced online course, eligible for 5.5 continuing education credits.

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

Reference Handout discussed during episode: https://selectivemutismcenter.org/fostering-independence-in-elementary-aged-children/ 

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For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠

EP61 features the latest installment of our Shining Stars series, where we sit down with former SMart Center patients – or their parents – and discuss how they overcame Selective Mutism. This episode, we meet former SMart Center patient, Josiah D’Angelo.

In this episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Josiah’s mom, Dr. Amanda D’Angelo, discuss Josiah’s unique but relatable experience with Selective Mutism, breakthrough strategies and surprise moments, going from isolated to “full volume everyone”, and much, much more.

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Chapters: 

(3:23) JOSIAH'S UNIQUE BUT RELATABLE EXPERIENCE WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM

(10:10) BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES & SURPRISE MOMENTS IN JOSIAH’S SELECTIVE MUTISM JOURNEY

(20:01) GOING FROM ISOLATED TO EXTROVERTED: HOW JOSIAH BECAME “FULL VOLUME EVERYWHERE”

(32:11) COLLABORATING WITH TEACHERS AND SLOWLY INTEGRATING JOSIAH INTO DIFFERENT SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS

(44:29) ADVICE ON PARENTING A CHILD WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM

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Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore more SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference with your child or teen’s school staff. 5.5 CEs/CEUs are available. 

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

- 

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP60 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and psychiatrist, Dr. Natalie Weder, on how to help young children bounce back from social and emotional setbacks.

In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Weder discuss resilience, reframing, recognizing micro-moments of success and more.

Chapters: 

(3:18) Understanding Resilience Through the Lens of Selective Mutism

(20:09) Reframing Setbacks as Opportunities: The Role of the Adult

(31:27) Building Micro-Moments of Success: The Foundation of Resilience

(34:48) Addressing Trauma, Rejection, and Social Pain in Children with SM

(38:20) Protective Factors and Practices that Boost Long-Term Resilience

Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference with your child or teen’s school staff. 5.5 CEs/CEUs are available. 

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

- 

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)

EP59 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a live chat with parents at August 2025 CommuniCamp.

In the episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and three participating parents discuss strategies for a positive start to the school year, navigating the bathroom issue at school, what to do when your child refuses to go to school and more.

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Chapters:

(5:47) Strategies for Positive Start to School Year

(17:41) Every Child’s Needs at School are Different

(23:33) Navigating the Bathroom at School

(30:15) Effective Ways to Encourage Communication at School

(41:27) What to do when your child refuses to go to school

- 

Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference with your child or teen’s school staff. 5.5 CEs/CEUs are available. 

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

- 

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP58 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jody LeVos, exploring the science behind play-based learning and its powerful role in helping children with selective mutism overcome communication challenges.

In the episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jody LeVos discuss how different types of play—from structured therapy to free exploration—can be integrated into treatment to support emotional regulation and encourage speech development.

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Chapters: 

(6:03) What Science Tells Us About Play and Anxiety

(12:09) How Play Can Encourage Progression of Communication in Children with Selective Mutism

(18:48) The Intersection of Play and Therapy: How to Integrate Fun into Treatment

(30:29) Play Therapy vs Free Play: Which Works Best for Children with Selective Mutism?

(44:08) The Different Types of Play

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Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference with your child or teen’s school staff. 5.5 CEs/CEUs are available. 

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

- 

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)

EP57 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a live chat with parents at June 2025 CommuniCamp.

In the episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and three participating parents discuss each parent’s unique but relatable experiences with a child with Selective Mutism. 

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Chapters:

(9:53) The Role Adults Play in Helping Kids Speak

(20:25) Tips for Creating Comfort for Children with Selective Mutism

(29:45) Helping Your Child Feel Safe in New Environments

(35:54) Helping Kids Connect Socially, Even When It’s Hard

(42:51) Why Kids Need Real Practice to Start Talking

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Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference with your child or teen’s school staff. 5.5 CEs/CEUs are available. 

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

- 

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

This podcast was produced and published by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)

EP56 features a discussion between Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum and licensed psychologist Ruth Perednik.

In this episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Ruth discuss why children don’t progress by practicing skills only in a treatment setting, how to continue therapy at home, how to get buy-in from teachers and school staff and more.

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Chapters: 

(3:37) Breaking the traditional therapy model

(15:50) The magic of integrative treatment

(28:06) Intensive interventions in real time

(40:45) Revolutionary school-based supports systems

(50:23) Evidence-based results and accountability

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Ask Dr. E a question of your own! 

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

Learn more about our SM in the School self-paced online course, eligible for 5.5 continuing education credits.

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

- 

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)