Frequently Asked Questions

The short answer is no. The treatment I provide is very hands-on for parents. I do not meet with children/teens until parents receive training based on their child’s condition and the tools to help their child succeed.

This is a highly nuanced answer and there’s hardly enough space to adequately answer this here but this question does get asked a lot and I deeply understand how important the answer feels to parents. There are a lot of factors that contribute to the pace in which a child becomes comfortable speaking. Some of these factors include- the parents use of the skills we discuss, frequency of practice in the community, the child’s overall level of anxiety and if neurodiversity factors may be at play (such as Autism). There are situations in which supportive accommodations must be put in place prior to expecting verbal communication from a child.

I first meet with the parent/legal guardian to complete an assessment. This can take up to two sessions. I then share with parents their child’s diagnosis and provide education and training to them. After the family has a sufficient understanding of their child’s condition and the tools to help them, we can schedule an appointment with the child/teen. For a lot of conditions, and especially for Selective Mutism, parents are typically involved in these sessions, at least until the child is verbal with me. There are times when we meet and assess how things are going thus far and consider if any changes to care may need to be made.

Families often describe me as down to earth and relatable. I take pride in my work and am willing to work as hard as my clients. I also, however, recognize that parenting is often really tough and that it’s important to keep a balanced perspective and to find gratitude in every moment. Parents share they feel more confident and empowered after we begin working together. I believe parents are the experts of their child and I can offer science as a way to better understand and support their child.

I do not prescribe medication but I do occasionally make the recommendation for parents to consider a medication evaluation for their child.While it is ultimately a parents decision to pursue medication, I have seen instances in which it significantly helps a child achieve their treatment goals.

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

You will receive a Good Faith Estimate when you start services at Selective Mutism of the Carolinas.