Selective Mutism

Are you, or your child unable to speak in some situations?

Some people have an anxiety disorder called Selective Mutism.

This means that in some situations they talk freely (often at home) and in others they do not talk at all, or only a little (often at school).

Together we can free your speech

I have been trained by the UK’s experts in Selective Mutism, Maggie Johnson and Alison Wintgens, and can help diagnose and treat this socially crippling condition. I work with both adults and children and have had great success supporting parents via Skype sessions.

I am proud to be a Trustee of SMiRA, the UK Selective Mutism Charity.

Check out their brilliant Facebook support group as well.

How to get Help for Selective Mutism

I designed this infographic with the SMIRA committee. It illustrates the main ways to get help for SM in the UK. Feel free to have a browse. You can download them in colour or black and white from the SMIRA website here.

What is Selective Mutism Therapy?

See page 2 of the infographic above.

Much of the therapy for children is done by supporting their adults, rather than therapy sessions with the child.

What happens at an appointment?

Appointments are available in my comfy clinic in Stoke Gifford, Bristol or online via Skype

Assessment

Your first appointment will last an hour.

At this appointment I will take a detailed case history. This will include medical history and lifestyle and speaking situations

Therapy

Therapy for Selective Mutism is often done by parents in conjunction with school.

My role is to educate, guide and support you and school. I have training a training package for schools.

Sessions for adults involve problem solving to work out how to make the changes needed.

Sometimes therapy can be quite challenging for people as they think and learn about themselves in ways they have not done before. I will support you through this process.

Selective Mutism Training for Schools

If you are local to Bristol, please contact me to find out more about my Selective Mutism training.

But, I do know that many people from around the UK and the rest of the world are looking for SM training.

I’m so happy that I can now offer an affiliate link to the Confident Children Selective Mutism online training for Schools.

The training can be watched multiple times by all members of staff and is a great core training on Selective Mutism and what to do when you have a child affected by it in school.

Click here to go to the training site and find out more.

Happy Customer – Selective Mutism

I am a mum of a child that has been diagnosed with selective mutism anxiety disorder.

I have been looking for a speech therapist that will guide us through the process of helping our child.

I have come across of few speech therapists but it was only Susannah who not only gave us knowledge but also worked out the right path to follow.

She helped me to incorporate strategies to help my daughter.

She supported me and guided me with her honest approach and emotional understanding.

She has pointed out things that we should work on as well as gave us ideas to apply in real life.

Susannah is not only a great specialist but also a very warm person who always gave me a lot hope and enthusiasm in sometimes frustrating and difficult process of helping a selective mute child.

She is insightful, very organized and has a wonderful sense of humor. I would highly recommend her!

Thank you Susannah!”

A, Dec 2015

I just thought I would update you on F’s progress. He has been so so brave and has come in leaps and bounds. On Tuesday he managed to do a school presentation in front of a video camera and one of his friends. He has started to read aloud in class at an audible level. Next year he will be going into year 4 and the school and I will continue with his bravery chart, communication book and added support.

Thank you Susannah as without your initial help/advice we would not be where we are today with a young boy who is growing in confidence.

Kind Regards,

G, July 2018

I have been suffering from selective mutism for years. Daily activities such as social interactions at work, grocery shopping, or even answering phone calls made me extremely anxious. I had considered myself as a hopeless case until I met Susannah, who helped me to realise and better understand my feelings and thoughts. Susannah is very knowledgeable and empathetic. Her therapeutic tools, which I have implemented into my daily life, helped me to speak again! I am immensely grateful for her support and would not hesitate to recommend her to those, who like me, struggled with selective mutism.

A, 2021