• Event Info
  • Agenda
  • Speakers
  • CE Info

Selective Mutism Association Annual Conference 2026

About this event

The Selective Mutism Association’s annual conference will be on Friday, September 25 (full day) and Saturday, September 26 (half day) this year in lively, historic, Boston, MA! The SMA conference is cosponsored by the Boston Child Study Center and Boston University CARD Center. We hope you can join us in person to connect with our community! It will be a wonderful time of gathering to learn the latest in evidence-based information, support one another, and connect with parents and professionals. While we hope you will be able to join us in person, for those who are unable to join us in Boston, SMA will offer a limited recorded bundle of conference presentations for purchase.

Registration Options

In-Person Conference

(Please note: everyone is welcome to attend in person; however, there is no specific live programming geared toward Individuals who currently have SM at the in-person conference) 

  • Attend full one-and-a-half day conference of live presentations for professionals and caregivers
  • Network with other professionals and families at the Mix n’Mingle Connection time on Friday evening
  • Explore current research on SM and interact with researchers at poster presentations
  • Earn Continuing Education for approved sessions for both professional and caregiver tracks
  • Listen to live “Hear Our Voices” panel of individuals recovering from SM with Q&A
  • Bring questions to live panel of experts in the field of SM with Q&A

Limited Conference Recording Bundle for caregivers/professionals 

  • A limited selection of pre-determined sessions will be recorded and offered virtually directly after the conference
  • Earn continuing education for approved recorded sessions
  • Session titles and descriptions will be released in June 2026.
  • Recordings will be released after the conference and will be available until January 31, 2027.

Recording Bundle for Individuals with Selective Mutism (ages 17 and older) 

  • Sessions will be recorded and offered virtually after the conference (geared toward ages 17 and older). Please note that sessions for this track will NOT be offered in person at the conference.
  • Registration is free for this track.
  • This registration option will only allows access to the Individual Track presentations.
  • Sessions titles and descriptions offered will be released in June 2026.
  • Recordings will be released after the conference and will be available until January 31, 2027.


Some registration options also include a discounted membership for those who are not already members of SMA. More information regarding membership benefits is located here. Only people who are not currently members of SMA are eligible to sign up for this membership option.


Keynote Address

Keynote Address: Practical Approaches to Treating Youth Anxiety: Bridging Research and Treatment, Philip C. Kendall, Ph.D., ABPP

Philip C. Kendall, PhD, ABPP was raised in Merrick, New York and currently resides in Ardmore, Pennsylvania where he and his deceased spouse, Sue, raised the two sons, Mark and Reed. Dr. Kendall is an avid NY Times crossword puzzler and plays basketball twice a week. He enjoys yardwork and the opportunity to spend time in the ocean and with his family.

Dr. Kendall’s undergraduate education was completed at Old Dominion University and his doctorate in clinical psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Kendall interned at the Palo Alto VA hospital. In 1977 he took his first academic appointment in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Kendall relocated to Direct the Clinical Program at Temple University, in Philadelphia. Soon after relocating to Temple Dr. Kendall opened the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic (CAADC), which has been in operation as a research-clinical service for 40 years.

Dr. Kendall is currently Distinguished University Professor at Temple University and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Temple University. His CV includes over 25 books, treatment manuals and workbooks, and with over 800 scholarly publications, most in our field’s leading journals. Throughout his work, Dr. Kendall has applied rigorous experimental designs, and with his prolific scholarly writing on clinical research methodology, he has elevated the work of other psychologists seeking to evaluate treatment methods.

One of his treatment programs (e.g., Coping Cat) has been translated into numerous languages. Dr. Kendall was among the very first to emphasize and articulate the critical importance of applying developmental science to treatment development, and to ensure clinical methods were compatible with children’s cognitive and socio-emotional competencies. After other scholars reviewed the literature, Coping Cat was subsequently given the elite designation of an “empirically supported treatment.”

Dr. Kendall has had over 35 years of uninterrupted grant support from various agencies (e.g., NIMH; NICHD; MacArthur). He placed among an elite handful of the “Most Highly-Cited” individuals in all of the social and medical sciences (top 1%). His recent H Index is 163.

Dr. Kendall has garnered numerous awards. He won the inaugural Research Recognition Award from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, was awarded the Aaron T. Beck Award for “Significant and Enduring Contributions,” and was honored by the Society for the Science of Clinical Psychology with their Lawrence H. Cohen Outstanding Mentor Award, both in 2019. He was honored by ABCT, an association in which he has been active his entire career, with their Career/Lifetime Achievement Award and by APA with the 2025 Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology.

Dr. Kendall is a clinical scientist, teacher/mentor, and leader. He is known for encouraging rigorous methodology (studies with “methodological niceties”), creative and integrative approaches to mental health services (e.g., the use of youth workbooks as part of mental health services), and commitment to graduate mentoring (proud of his many former graduate students who have gone forth and done great work). An active folder on his desktop is a list of former students and their current affiliation.

Date and Location

Hilton Boston Park Plaza
50 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 426-2000

Conference Offers Professional, Caregiver, and Individuals with SM (Ages 17 and up) Tracks

The conference will offer presentations for professionals, parents/family, and individuals with SM. Please note that presentations for Individuals with SM (Ages 17 and up) will only occur in a pre-recorded format and will be available virtually. For those that attend the in-person conference, registrants can attend any session that interests them. In addition, all in-person conference registrants will attend the keynote address, Expert Q&A, and a Hear Our Voices panel where people talk about their lives and recovery from SM. There will be opportunities for parents and professionals to meet and visit, and books will be available for viewing and direct purchase via Amazon. A light continental breakfast will be included.

Mix n’Mingle Connection Time

Please join us for a Mix ‘n Mingle right after the last conference session on Friday in the early evening to interact and talk with other attendees. In addition, poster presenters will present their work during this time and would love to talk with you! Stay tuned for more information.

Continuing Education

Please check the continuing education tab for approvals.

Special Note to all Individuals with SM:

SMA recognizes that resources for older individuals who have SM are scarce and thus, for individuals with SM (ages 17 and older), SMA will continue to offer the Individuals with SM track for FREE! Session titles and descriptions will be released in June 2026. This track will only be offered in a recorded format, not a face-to-face format. Recordings will be available until January 31, 2027. Continuing education will not be offered for this track. Please note, that individuals who register for this track will not have access to the professional and caregiver-friendly tracks that are offered. For those registrants who would like access to the professional/caregiver-friendly virtual option, you will need to register for that bundle as well.

Hotel Options

We encourage you to make your hotel reservations as early as possible in order to get the lowest rates and best availability. Boston is a very busy city in the fall, and room rates will rise as the conference date approaches. There are many hotels in the downtown Boston, airport and other surrounding areas.

Our host hotel, the Hilton Boston Park Plaza, is offering a discounted room rate. This discounted rate ranges between $319 and $349 per night.

To obtain the discounted rate, please call the hotel at 617.457.2290 and request the group rate under code 989. Alternatively, please reserve your discounted room using this room booking link: https://book.passkey.com/e/51222305. Both standard and Wicked Small rooms are located on this link. Please note that the “Wicked Small” rooms are small rooms (approximately 150 to 180 sq. ft) at the most discounted price.

Scholarships Available

We are excited to offer a limited number of need-based scholarships for the upcoming SMA conference. We are offering 2 types of scholarships:

Caregivers/Individuals with SM (who would like to attend in-person)

https://forms.gle/LcJkPsA6ARCtitB68

BIPOC Professionals or Professionals who serve underrepresented/BIPOC communities:

https://forms.gle/tuADfqm1RsiY4abE7

If interested and in need, please complete the form for the specific type of scholarship for which you would like to be considered. As part of the form you will be required to give a statement of need as well as answer several other questions related to the scholarship.

Please note: All scholarship submissions must be received by midnight ET on August 1, 2026. Eligible participants will be entered into a drawing, from which scholarship recipients will be selected. All recipients of the scholarships, as well as all who submitted, will be notified of their application status by August 10, 2026. Please do not register for the conference until you have been notified by SMA about your scholarship status.

Scholarship recipients can chose either to attend the face-to-face conference in Boston, or choose to apply their scholarship toward the purchase of the limited recording presentation bundle.

Please note: scholarship is for registration fees only. Travel fees are not included in scholarship award.


SMA is intending to rotate in-person conferences with fully virtual conferences in the coming years.

Email conference inquiries to Lisa Kovac at info@selectivemutism.org.




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  • Taylor Hicks-Hoste, LP, NCSP
    Taylor Hicks-Hoste is a licensed psychologist (LP) in the states of Michigan and California, as well as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). She received her Ph.D. in school psychology from Michigan State University. Her professional experiences span across both school and clinic settings. As a school psychologist, she has serviced students, families and teachers, grades preschool through twelfth grade. She has also worked as a countywide behavioral health consultant, in which she has partnered with local districts in the promotion of mental health awareness and in the direct provision of school-based mental health supports to students. Taylor’s clinical work at Thriving Minds in Michigan includes the treatment of children, teens, and families with an emphasis on anxiety-based disorders such as selective mutism, separation anxiety, and school refusal.
    Sessions
    • C04 : The Fade-In Playbook: Tactical Tools, Tone, Tempo and Timing
  • Veronica Raggi, Ph.D.
    Dr. Raggi is a licensed clinical psychologist and director of Brighter Outlook Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, LLC. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park and completed internship at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. and postdoctoral fellowship at NYU Child Study Center. Dr. Raggi has two decades of experience providing evidence-based treatment for youth and families with selective mutism and co-occurring disorders. She has developed and directed intensive summer camps for children with SM for the past ten years and worked on pilot studies to examine camp outcomes. She is currently co-director of the Kids Out Loud Summer Camp in the Washington, D.C. metro area. She is on the Board of Directors of the Selective Mutism Association. Dr. Raggi has written a "Brave Voices" blog for Psychology Today. She has been interviewed by the Washington Post, Forbes, and other media, and has published in numerous academic journals on evidence-based approaches to child mental health treatment. She is first author of the book, "Exposure Therapy for Treating Anxiety in Children and Adolescents", a comprehensive, practical resource on the “how-to” of implementing exposure-based therapy for youth with anxiety.
    Sessions
    • P05 : From Camp to the Classroom and Community: Outcomes, Moderators and Generalization of Gains
  • Brittany Bice-Urbach, Ph.D.
    Dr. Bice-Urbach is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin and has been working as a clinical psychologist at the Center for Child Development, a developmental clinic through Children’s Wisconsin. Dr. Bice-Urbach has a specialty in best practices in providing telebehavioral health services. Dr. Bice-Urbach also has a clinical specialty in treating children and adolescents with anxiety disorders through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a primary focus on treating children with Selective Mutism. At the Center for Child Development, she has been offering assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, and family/school consultation and training to support children with Selective Mutism. She is a board member of the Selective Mutism Association and has given several national presentations on Selective Mutism. She also has prioritized trainings for medical facilities and pediatricians on Selective Mutism.
    Sessions
    • P01 : Balancing Innovation and Ethics: Responsible AI Use in Professional Practice when Treating Individuals with Selective Mutism
  • Brittany Roslin, PhD
    Dr. Brittany Roslin is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in the assessment and treatment of anxiety and mood related disorders, ADHD, and disruptive behavior disorders. She has specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), and organizational skills training (OST). She is certified in PCIT-SM. Dr. Roslin provides individual and group treatment, parent management training, home and school-based services at Westchester Anxiety Treatment in White Plains, NY. She co-directs Club Confidence, a SM group intensive treatment program. Prior to joining Westchester Anxiety Treatment, she was a clinical assistant professor at NYU Child Study Center and she also served as a director of group therapy services at The Child and Family Institute. Dr. Roslin received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Hofstra University, completed her clinical internship at NY Presbyterian/Columbia Medical Center, and finished her training in a postdoctoral fellowship at NYU Child Study Center in the Selective Mutism Program and ADHD Service.
    Sessions
    • C02 : Maximize Parent Coaching, Minimize Accommodations, and Incorporating Sibling Support
  • Rachel Merson, Psy.D.
    Dr. Rachel Merson, Psy.D., is the Clinical Director of the Child and Adolescent Fear and Anxiety Treatment Program at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. She oversees all clinical activities at Child CARD and is deeply involved in training and supervising graduate students and trainees. Dr. Merson provides individual therapy, parent training groups, and neuropsychological evaluations. As Director of Child CARD's Selective Mutism Program, she leads Brave Bunch, an intensive treatment program for young children with selective mutism. She is an active member of the Selective Mutism Association's Board of Directors, having served as President from 2022-2024. She frequently trains schools and community groups on selective mutism and child anxiety.
    Sessions
    • P04 : All Hands on Deck: Development and Evaluation of Provider Training in Delivering Intensive Group Based Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM)
    • P07 : Speaking Their Language: Navigating Barriers of School-Based Intervention for Students with Selective Mutism
  • Elisa Shipon-Blum
    Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum (“Dr. E”) is the President and Director of the Selective Mutism Anxiety & Related Disorders and Treatment Center (SMart Center) located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the founder of the intensive group treatment program, CommuniCamp™. She is President of the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI), which is a foundation started to study her theories and treatment methodologies on Selective Mutism. Dr. E is the Founder & Director Emeritus of the Selective Mutism Association (SMA). Dr. Shipon-Blum has developed the evidenced-based therapy, Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® or (S-CAT)® from her years evaluating, treating & researching individuals with Selective Mutism. Dr. Shipon-Blum has her own podcast, Unspoken Words, where she shares her 30+ years of experience. In addition, Dr E has written numerous articles, books, webinars on Selective Mutism. Vist our resource page. Dr. Shipon-Blum has treated countless children from around the world, lectures throughout the country on the topic of Selective Mutism, performs school evaluations and trainings for treating professionals, educators & parents and is considered one of the world’s leading experts in the treatment and understanding of Selective Mutism. Dr. E has been a featured expert within the media. She has appeared in national television shows such as 20/20, CNN, Inside Edition, Good Morning America as well as other local/national and international TV and Radio broadcasts. She has been featured in TIME Magazine, People Magazine and has interviewed with newspapers such as the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, San Diego Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Palm Beach Post and other media publications throughout the world. Dr. Shipon-Blum prides herself on being “down to earth.” She resides with her family in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
    Sessions
    • C07 : Beyond Silence: Developing Effective Treatment Plans for Older Children and Teens with Selective Mutism
  • Kristin Mathis, M.S., CCC-SLP
    Kristin is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with more than 27 years of experience helping children strengthen communication and social skills across private practice, school, and pediatric rehabilitation settings. Since joining Child & Family Therapy Collective (CFTC) in 2025, she has deepened her expertise through specialized training in the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy/Selective Mutism (PCIT/SM) model. At CFTC, Kristin integrates speech-language therapy with evidence-based anxiety treatments, working collaboratively with families and a multidisciplinary team to help children build brave talking behaviors, reduce avoidance, and grow in confidence.
    Sessions
    • C08 : Conversation Is a Skill: How Caregivers Can Explicitly Teach Social Communication to Their Child
  • Eleanor Ezell, LCSW
    Eleanor Ezell, LCSW, is a licensed therapist in Tennessee and is the Founder and Clinical Director at Child and Family Therapy Collective based in Nashville, TN. She has extensive experience providing evidence-based therapy to children and young teens who struggle with selective mutism, anxiety, ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders, and a wide range of developmental delays. She attended New York University for graduate training where she trained with and worked very closely with Dr. Steven Kurtz over 5 years treating children with selective mutism and related disorders. She completed a two-year Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship at The University of Mississippi Medical Center where she also was personally grand funded to bring PCIT-SM and the Brave Buddies/Mighty Mouth Kids Camp model to the state of Mississippi. In the last 10 years, she has participated in, or replicated, intensive treatment in New York, California, Mississippi and soon will replicate in Tennessee. Eleanor currently runs the selective mutism program at Child and Family Therapy Collective in Nashville, TN where she offers weekly sessions, individual intensives and intensive group model treatment at Brave Camp.
    Sessions
    • P03 : Navigating the Road to Brave Talking: Mid-Treatment Decision-Making in SM Treatment
  • Emily R. Laracy, M.A., M.S., CCC-SLP
    Emily Laracy is a licensed speech-language pathologist who currently works in an elementary school in Eastern PA. Her caseload includes students in grades K-5 with a variety of social, emotional, cognitive, and academic needs, including students with selective mutism. Emily has worked as a 1:1 counselor and co-organizer of several weeklong intensive SM treatment camps. She is the author of the book, "Treating Selective Mutism as a Speech-Language Pathologist" as well as several webinars and podcasts on the topic of SM. Prior to working as a speech pathologist, Emily taught preschool for 10 years and worked one-on-one with a student with selective mutism in this setting. Emily received her M.A. in Applied Developmental Psychology with a focus on Language Acquisition from George Mason University and her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from East Stroudsburg University. She continues to conduct and collaborate in research within the speech pathology field through East Stroudsburg University, where she also serves as a guest lecturer for graduate and undergraduate classes. Her professional interests are in helping children with anxiety and communication needs find the tools to communicate effectively and efficiently with those around them.
    Sessions
    • C01 : From Silence to Understanding: Talking to Kids About Anxiety and SM
  • Emmett Kallmeyer, RBT
    Emmett Kallmeyer holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Puget Sound, where he played an instrumental role in planning and facilitating the Brave Explorers Camp. Through this experience, he received direct clinical training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy adapted for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM) and developed strong proficiency in supporting children with SM. Following graduation, Emmett's passion for working with neurodiverse populations led him to become a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). This role deepened his skills in child-directed interactions, interdisciplinary team collaboration, and family involvement — particularly with children diagnosed with ASD. Emmett currently serves as a full-time Case Manager at Brave Seattle, where he also carries an active RBT caseload, providing direct behavioral support alongside his case management responsibilities. He has also plays a major role in running the testing clinic within Brave. He applies his breadth of clinical experience to deliver direct, high-quality care to clients while advocating for their families throughout the assessment and treatment process. Emmett's long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of the office, Emmett enjoys running, rock climbing, exploring the outdoors with friends, getting lost in a book, and hunting down a good sweet treat.
    Sessions
    • P02 : Silence Skews the Score: A Clinical Pathway for Equitable Access to Psychological Assessment in Children with Selective Mutism
  • Kaitlyn Wilbur-Smith, Psy.D.
    Dr. Kaitlyn Wilbur-Smith is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of Selective Mutism Services and the Director of Middle Childhood Services at the Boston Child Study Center. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, mood, and disruptive behavior disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Wilbur-Smith is certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C) and also enjoys working with individuals in need of support around life transitions including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum health, and parenting. She provides evidence-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT). Dr. Wilbur-Smith is a Certified Within Agency Trainer by PCIT International and is clinically trained in treatment adaptations for selective mutism (PCIT-SM) and anxiety (PCIT-CALM). Dr. Wilbur-Smith, alongside BCSC’s SM team, created an adjunctive group treatment program series called Get Heard! in early 2019. Get Heard! uses an evidence-based exposure therapy model and is geared toward youth with selective mutism and social anxiety. She is also certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C). Dr. Wilbur-Smith graduated from the University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT with a Master of Arts in clinical practices and a Doctorate of Psychology.
    Sessions
    • P08 : Game On: Creative Strategies for Unlocking Speech in Selective Mutism
  • Emellia Nguyen
    Emellia “Mia” Nguyen, LMHC-A, is a licensed mental health counselor associate specializing in anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, with a clinical focus on Selective Mutism across the school-age range. She holds a Master of Science in Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Bioethics. Prior to her practicum at Brave Seattle, she served two years as a Pediatric Mental Health Specialist at Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit. Mia’s clinical training includes CBT, ERP, PCIT-SM, PCIT, and behavioral parent training. She brings a practice-informed perspective to the systemic challenges that arise when translating PCIT-SM into educational settings, including navigating district-level barriers, supporting generalization of gains, and improving coordination between outside clinicians and school teams. She collaborates actively with schools to design and implement intervention plans, and is passionate about early intervention that helps young people build confidence and navigate their world. As a Vietnamese-speaking clinician, she brings a culturally responsive lens to her work with youth and families. She continues to work under the supervision of Dr. Tracey Ward, PhD and Dr. Megan Frye, PhD, at Brave Seattle.
    Sessions
    • P07 : Speaking Their Language: Navigating Barriers of School-Based Intervention for Students with Selective Mutism
  • Melissa Jeffay, PsyD
    Melissa Jeffay, PsyD, is a psychologist in the Anxiety Disorders Center and part of the Selective Mutism Service at the Child Mind Institute. She brings a wealth of knowledge about assessing and treating anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Dr. Jeffay has experience working in both school and clinical settings, which has given her the ability to treat children with a wide range of clinical issues. She works collaboratively with families, schools and other people in the child’s environment to understand the whole child and to promote real and lasting change. Through all her experiences, she has learned the importance of tailoring interventions to the unique strengths of her clients. She has received extensive training in and practices various evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM).
    Sessions
    • C05 : Advocating for Effective School-Based Interventions for Children with Selective Mutism
  • Philip C. Kendall, Ph.D., ABPP
    Philip C. Kendall, PhD, ABPP was raised in Merrick, New York and currently resides in Ardmore, Pennsylvania where he and his deceased spouse, Sue, raised their two sons, Mark and Reed. Dr. Kendall is an avid NY Times crossword puzzler and plays basketball twice a week. He enjoys yardwork and the opportunity to spend time in the ocean and with his family. Phil’s undergraduate education was completed at Old Dominion University and his doctorate in clinical psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Kendall interned at the Palo Alto VA hospital. In 1977 he took his first academic appointment in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Phil relocated to Direct the Clinical Program at Temple University, in Philadelphia. Soon after relocating to Temple Phil opened the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic (CAADC), which has been in operation as a research-clinical service for 40 years. Dr. Kendall is currently Distinguished University Professor at Temple University and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Temple University. His CV includes over 25 books, treatment manuals and workbooks, and with over 800 scholarly publications, most in our field’s leading journals. Throughout his work, Phil has applied rigorous experimental designs, and with his prolific scholarly writing on clinical research methodology, he has elevated the work of other psychologists seeking to evaluate treatment methods. One of his treatment programs (e.g., Coping Cat) has been translated into numerous languages. Phil was among the very first to emphasize and articulate the critical importance of applying developmental science to treatment development, and to ensure clinical methods were compatible with children’s cognitive and socio-emotional competencies. After other scholars reviewed the literature, Coping Cat was subsequently given the elite designation of an “empirically supported treatment.” Dr. Kendall has had over 35 years of uninterrupted grant support from various agencies (e.g., NIMH; NICHD; MacArthur). He placed among an elite handful of the “Most Highly-Cited” individuals in all of the social and medical sciences (top 1%). His recent H Index is 163. Dr. Kendall has garnered numerous awards. He won the inaugural Research Recognition Award from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, was awarded the Aaron T. Beck Award for “Significant and Enduring Contributions,” and was honored by the Society for the Science of Clinical Psychology with their Lawrence H. Cohen Outstanding Mentor Award, both in 2019. He was honored by ABCT, an association in which he has been active his entire career, with their Career/Lifetime Achievement Award and by APA with the 2025 Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology. Dr. Kendall is a clinical scientist, teacher/mentor, and leader. He is known for encouraging rigorous methodology (studies with “methodological niceties”), creative and integrative approaches to mental health services (e.g., the use of youth workbooks as part of mental health services), and commitment to graduate mentoring (proud of his many former graduate students who have gone forth and done great work). An active folder on his desktop is a list of former students and their current affiliation.
    Sessions
    • K01 : Practical Approaches to Treating Youth Anxiety: Bridging Research and Treatment
  • Steven Kurtz, PhD, ABPP
    Steven Kurtz, PhD, ABPP specializes in assessing and treating child anxiety, such as selective mutism and social phobia, as well as externalizing behaviors, such as ADHD and oppositionality. Dr. Kurtz is the original developer of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Adapted for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM), an empirically supported therapy for selective mutism now used worldwide and created the renowned Mighty Mouth Kids and Brave Buddies intensive SM treatment programs. He is a Global Trainer in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). As an expert commentator, he has appeared on numerous programs addressing child mental health, including NBC's Today, CBS's The Early Show and PBS's Keeping Kids Healthy and was featured in the Canadian Broadcasting Company's ADD & Lovin' It. He is a Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology and volunteers time in the leadership of numerous organizations such as the Selective Mutism Association.
    Sessions
    • P06 : Lumpers vs. Splitters: Shared Principles and Real Differences in Treatments for Selective Mutism
    • C03 : When Behavioral Therapy Isn’t Enough: The Tough Call To Add Medication
    • P07 : Speaking Their Language: Navigating Barriers of School-Based Intervention for Students with Selective Mutism
  • Tracey Ward, PhD
    Dr. Tracey Ward specializes in treating children with selective mutism, an anxiety disorder in which children have a fear of speaking in public despite the ability to speak. Dr. Ward has trained extensively in both Seattle and Chicago with leading experts in the field, co-developed a Selective Mutism treatment group at the Seattle Children’s Hospital, led intensive treatment sessions and camps, and provided outpatient therapy. Selective mutism requires a specific treatment approach that includes gradual exposure to speaking that enables children to become comfortable speaking, as well as parent-child interaction therapy adapted for selective mutism (PCIT-SM). Dr. Ward works extensively with parents and teachers to provide behavioral parent training. Dr. Ward also offers behavioral parent training for those with challenging behaviors and reserves spots in her practice for individuals with ASD. Her commitment to inclusion and neurodiversity is reflected in her work, and she is an active member of organizations like ABCT, INSAR, APA, and SMA.
    Sessions
    • P02 : Silence Skews the Score: A Clinical Pathway for Equitable Access to Psychological Assessment in Children with Selective Mutism
  • TRACEY WARD
    Dr. Tracey Ward is a licensed clinical psychologist in Washington State who brings exceptional clinical expertise, compassion, and innovation to her work supporting children and their families. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Seattle Pacific University in 2019. Dr. Ward completed her pre-doctoral internship in the Child Track at Seattle Children's Hospital within the University of Washington, School of Medicine. Her post-doctoral fellowship was completed at the Seattle Clinic in Child and Adolescent Anxiety in 2020. Dr. Ward’s clinical training includes child and adolescent inpatient settings, intensive outpatient treatment programs addressing selective mutism and OCD, and outpatient and assessment clinics at Seattle Children's Hospital Psychiatry Department and Autism Center, University of Washington Center for Human Development and Disability, and Advanced Therapeutic Solutions for Anxiety in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Ward specializes in evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure-based therapies such as exposure and response prevention (ERP), and behavioral parent training. Dr. Ward is a nationally recognized expert in selective mutism, having trained extensively with leading specialists. She is an active member of the Selective Mutism Association. As founder and clinical director of Brave Seattle, addressing the need for innovative tailored treatment for children and adolescents using team based models. This led to the establishment of Brave Explorers Camp—the only intensive selective mutism treatment program camp in the Northwestern region. Now entering its sixth year, this innovative program has served over 100 children with selective mutism and anxiety disorders. Dr. Ward leads a dedicated team of 15 clinicians and brings on 30 trainees annually, fostering the next generation of specialists in evidence-based anxiety treatment. In addition to her expertise in selective mutism, Dr. Ward's clinical practice includes treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, a broad range of anxiety disorders, challenging behaviors in young children, and working with neurodivergent youth, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder. Her clinical approach emphasizes collaborative, individualized care with a future focus on generalizing therapeutic gains into the community. She places a strong value on fun, humor, and bravery, emphasizing unique strengths within each young person. She is passionate about empowering young people to build their "bravery," helping kids identify and conquer fears, and partnering with parents to support their children in overcoming challenges to live more joyful lives. As both a gifted clinician and a parent herself, Dr. Ward understands the profound journey families navigate when supporting their children, bringing deep empathy, curiosity, and evidence-based excellence to every family she serves.
    Sessions
    • P07 : Speaking Their Language: Navigating Barriers of School-Based Intervention for Students with Selective Mutism
  • Donna Pincus, Ph.D.
    Donna B. Pincus, Ph.D. is the CAS Feld Family Professor of Teaching Excellence in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University, and has been the Director of the Child and Adolescent Fear and Anxiety Treatment Program at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University since 1999. She is an internationally recognized expert in child clinical psychology with research and clinical expertise in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with behavioral and emotional disorders and their families. Dr. Pincus has been teaching and mentoring undergraduates, master’s students, and doctoral students at Boston University for the past 27 years, and has been the recipient of numerous teaching and mentoring awards. She has delivered distinguished lectures and keynote talks across the nation. She received the Florence Halpern Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Clinical Psychology, awarded by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association. She is also a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.
    Sessions
    • P04 : All Hands on Deck: Development and Evaluation of Provider Training in Delivering Intensive Group Based Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM)
  • Kathryn Keough, PhD
    Kathryn L. Keough, PhD, is the Director of the Selective Mutism Service and a clinical psychologist in the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Keough has a specialized interest in the evaluation and treatment of children and families managing anxiety, trauma, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Dr. Keough believes that the right treatment can promote hope and self-efficacy, as young people develop a lifelong set of skills to manage anxiety and meet their bravery goals. She has been extensively trained in various evidence-based treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and she is a certified therapist in PCIT for Selective Mutism. She has experience treating SM in preschoolers, school-aged children, and adolescents.
    Sessions
    • C05 : Advocating for Effective School-Based Interventions for Children with Selective Mutism
  • Katelyn Reed, MS
    Katelyn Reed, M.S. is a Limited Licensed Psychologist at Thriving Minds Family Services, located in Chelsea, MI. She completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology at Eastern Michigan University where she focused on evidence-based behavioral and cognitive behavioral interventions for children and adolescents. Through her work at Thriving Minds, Katelyn specializes in treating children with Selective Mutism via traditional weekly therapy, intensive therapy (i.e., 15-20 hours of treatment in one week), and group therapy models. Katelyn emphasizes collaborative care and frequently works in partnership with parents and schools to best assist clients and to promote growth through education on appropriate goals and interventions. Katelyn is also the Assistant Director for Confident Kids Camp, an intensive week-long treatment program for children with Selective Mutism. Katelyn joined the Board of Directors for the Selective Mutism Association in 2017 and is the Past-President of SMA. She is passionate about spreading awareness about Selective Mutism and about effective treatment techniques.
    Sessions
    • C04 : The Fade-In Playbook: Tactical Tools, Tone, Tempo and Timing
  • Daisy Geddes, MSc
    Daisy Geddes is an Assistant Psychologist at Central Health Partners, Child Development Team in Hong Kong. She has over ten years of experience working with children with various social-emotional, intellectual, and developmental difficulties. Ms Geddes completed her master’s in Psychology from The University of Roehampton and her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood from Bristol University, UK. Ms Geddes is the Associate Director of the selective mutism program at the Child Development Team, coordinating the Confident Crew program, the group program, in-school support, and parent and teacher trainings. She is a trained and certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and works closely with Dr Giglio to provide selective mutism training to clinicians worldwide.
    Sessions
    • C06 : The Pendulum Swing: When Anxiety Lifts and ADHD Steps In
  • Rachel Busman, PsyD, ABPP
    Rachel Busman, PsyD, ABPP is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Senior Director of the Child & Adolescent Anxiety and Related Disorders Program at Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants (CBC). Dr. Busman has extensive experience working using evidence based treatments with children, teenagers, young adults and families struggling with anxiety disorders and other related mental health disorders. Dr. Busman has a specific interest and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of Selective Mutism and anxiety disorders in young children. She created and runs Voices Rising, an intensive SM treatment. Prior to joining CBC, Dr. Busman was the senior director of the Anxiety Disorders Center and Director of the Selective Mutism Service at the Child Mind Institute, in addition to the Director of Brave Buddies, an internationally recognized intensive program for children with Selective Mutism (SM). Dr. Busman is a former president of the Selective Mutism Association, the nation’s largest network of professionals, families, and individuals with selective mutism. She is certified in PCIT-SM and is a within agency trainer. Dr. Busman is also certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.
    Sessions
    • C01 : From Silence to Understanding: Talking to Kids About Anxiety and SM
    • P03 : Navigating the Road to Brave Talking: Mid-Treatment Decision-Making in SM Treatment
    • P07 : Speaking Their Language: Navigating Barriers of School-Based Intervention for Students with Selective Mutism
  • Vanessa Ng, Ph.D.
    Dr. Vanessa Ng is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at the Boston Child Study Center who specializes in working with children and adolescents with anxiety, with a particular passion for selective mutism (SM). She is deeply committed to helping children find their voices in ways that feel safe, supported, and developmentally appropriate. Dr. Ng has extensive training in evidence-based treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), parent management training (PMT), dialectical behavior therapy for children (DBT-C) and adolescents (DBT-A), and parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT). She is a Certified PCIT Therapist and Within-Agency Trainer through PCIT International and has completed advanced training in adaptations of PCIT for anxiety (PCIT-CALM), selective mutism (PCIT-SM), and toddlers (PCIT-T). She is also trained in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), a caregiver-based treatment that empowers caregivers to respond to anxiety in ways that foster independence and bravery. Selective mutism is a particular passion and area of expertise for Dr. Ng. She has co-led and trained clinicians in intensive group behavioral programs specifically for children with SM, including Camp C.H.A.T. at Hofstra University in New York and Confident Crew with Central Health Partners’ Child Development Team in Hong Kong. Her doctoral dissertation focused on evaluating SPACE as an effective treatment option for families impacted by selective mutism, reflecting her strong commitment to expanding accessible, evidence-based care for families. Dr. Ng also provides consultation and collaborates closely with schools to support implementation of classroom-based strategies and to promote consistency across settings. Dr. Ng earned her BSc in Psychology (Applied) and MSc in Developmental Psychopathology from Durham University in the United Kingdom. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University in New York. Dr. Ng completed clinical training at NYU Langone Health Child Study Center (NYU CSC), NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Child Inpatient program, and her predoctoral internship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, Ohio), where she received specialized training in brief, intensive treatments for youth with complex emotional, behavioral, and co-occurring medical needs.
    Sessions
    • P06 : Lumpers vs. Splitters: Shared Principles and Real Differences in Treatments for Selective Mutism
  • Laura Darling
    Dr. Laura Nelson Darling is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Boston Child Study Center. She specializes in diagnostic assessment, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), and caregiver coaching. She is a Certified PCIT Therapist by PCIT International and is clinically trained in treatment adaptations for anxiety (PCIT-CALM) and selective mutism (PCIT-SM). Dr. Darling has also been trained in evidence-based treatment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Dr. Darling received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Boston University. As a graduate student, she received comprehensive training in the assessment and evidence-based treatment of youth with a wide range of anxiety, mood, and disruptive behavior disorders. She completed predoctoral externships within the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD), Boston Child Study Center (BCSC), and the Pediatric Feeding Clinic at Boston Medical Center (BMC). She completed her predoctoral internship at The Baker Center for Children and Families (formerly Judge Baker Children’s Center) within the Center for Effective Child Therapy and Manville Therapeutic School, where she provided assessment and treatment for youth with significant emotional, neurological, and learning needs. Prior to her graduate training, Dr. Darling worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Boston Children’s Hospital conducting developmental research on autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Darling’s Ph.D. research focused on the implementation and dissemination of evidence- based interventions for youth with anxiety and related disorders. Her dissertation centered on the development and evaluation of a novel storybook intervention designed to teach caregivers and young children about anxiety and exposure-based treatment. She has published peer- reviewed journal articles and book chapters on the evidence-based treatment of pediatric anxiety, depression, and pain.
    Sessions
    • P08 : Game On: Creative Strategies for Unlocking Speech in Selective Mutism
  • Melissa Ortega Giglio, PsyD
    Dr. Giglio is a US clinical psychologist who has been practicing in Hong Kong for 15+ years. She serves as the Director of Central Health Partners, Child Development Team, a multidisciplinary group of specialists offering speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, learning enhancement services, and therapy and counseling services. Dr. Giglio is the founder of Maine Child Therapy Center and the co-founder of Brave Mighty Minds, a platform that offers resources for educators and families. She co-authored the children's book Bravery Grows, a story about a young girl diagnosed with selective mutism, and the Bravery Grows Journal. Prior to Dr. Giglio’s arrival in Hong Kong, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and evidence-based treatment for Selective Mutism were unavailable to the English-speaking community. In 2014, Dr. Giglio launched the Confident Crew program, an intensive group behavioral therapy for selective mutism, the first of its kind in Asia, and modeled from Brave Buddies and the Mighty Mouth, programs created by Dr. Steven Kurtz, Ph.D., ABPP. She has invited clinicians and patients from all over the world to participate in Confident Crew to learn how to treat selective mutism effectively. Her passion for helping families with children diagnosed with anxiety disorders has led her to explore alternative ways of treatment delivery and to develop resources available to teachers and caregivers.
    Sessions
    • C03 : When Behavioral Therapy Isn’t Enough: The Tough Call To Add Medication
    • C06 : The Pendulum Swing: When Anxiety Lifts and ADHD Steps In
  • Dana Jerusalmi, PhD
    Dr. Dana Jerusalmi is a Licensed Psychologist specializing in the use of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and evidence-based treatment for anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders in children, adolescents and adults. Prior to earning her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from St. John’s University, she earned her B.A. in Psychology from Stern College of Yeshiva University, followed by her M.A. in Psychology from Teacher’s College of Columbia University. She has provided individual and group therapy across a range of settings including NYU Child Study Center, Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center, St. John’s Center for Psychological Services, and Andrus Children’s Center. Dr. Jerusalmi has also completed psychodiagnostic, psychoeducational and neuropsychological assessments for both children and adults in various treatment settings. She frequently collaborates with school personnel to promote academic success and implement effective behavioral interventions. Dr. Dana Jerusalmi applies an evidence-based approach to the assessment and treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as well as disruptive behavior disorders. Dr. Jerusalmi has expertise in Parent Management Training including Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), as well as The Incredible Years program. She has led multiple therapeutic groups, including parent management training, DBT skills, bereavement, and social anxiety groups. Dr. Jerusalmi also has specific expertise in the assessment and treatment of Selective Mutism (SM), and co-directs Club Confidence, an intensive treatment program for children with SM. She frequently leads SM workshops and presentations for parents, school staff, as well as for other clinicians. Dr. Jerusalmi provides both weekly individual sessions for the treatment of SM, as well as intensive treatment, when clinically indicated.
    Sessions
    • C02 : Maximize Parent Coaching, Minimize Accommodations, and Incorporating Sibling Support
  • Jami Furr, PhD
    Dr. Jami Furr is a Clinical Associate Professor and Senior Psychologist in the Mental Health Interventions and Novel Therapeutics (MINT) Program, and Developer of the Selective Mutism Program at Florida International University Center for Children and Families (CCF). Dr. Furr obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Temple University, and completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the NYU Child Study Center and Bellevue Hospital Program in New York. Dr. Furr has led the field of selective mutism in youth regarding clinical and research programs. She is the Past-President of the Selective Mutism Association and has continued to serve on their Board of Directors for the last 9 years. Dr. Furr recently completed one of the first long-term outcome studies and directed one of the integral studies on the intensive, group behavioral treatments (IGBTs) for youth with selective mutism. Dr. Furr also currently serves as a Trainer for the Network for Expanding Child Wellness in Disaster-Affected Youth (or NEW DAY) - a SAMHSA-funded and National Child Traumatic Stress Network-affiliated program providing large-scale training and consultation in disaster mental health to youth-serving professionals in disaster-hit regions and disaster-prone regions across the United States. Dr. Furr has extensive clinical expertise and research interests in cognitive and behavioral treatments of childhood anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders, with a particular focus on preschool mental health. She has served as the Clinical Director of several federally funded randomized trials evaluating the acceptability and utility of telehealth strategies for expanding the scope and reach of mental health care; and currently provides training and supervision for clinical services for anxiety, OCD, and/or disruptive behavior problems for children and adolescents. She has numerous publications and conducts trainings locally and nationally in the areas of trauma, anxiety, and selective mutism in youth. Dr. Furr has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Anne Marie Albano Early Career Award for the Integration of Science and Practice from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), the Florida International University College of Arts, Sciences, and Education Award for Research, and the Florida International University College of Arts, Sciences, and Education Award for Community Engagement.
    Sessions
    • P05 : From Camp to the Classroom and Community: Outcomes, Moderators and Generalization of Gains
    • P07 : Speaking Their Language: Navigating Barriers of School-Based Intervention for Students with Selective Mutism
  • Holly Hillburn
    Sessions
    • C03 : When Behavioral Therapy Isn’t Enough: The Tough Call To Add Medication
  • Alyssa M. Farley, Ph.D.
    Alyssa M. Farley, PhD is a Research Assistant Professor and Licensed Psychologist in CARD’s Child and Adolescent Fear and Anxiety Treatment Program. Dr. Farley received her PhD in clinical psychology from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and completed her internship training at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Dr. Farley provides cognitive-behavioral therapies to children, adolescents, and families who are affected by anxiety and related conditions. She also conducts neuropsychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults. Dr. Farley is a proud member of CARD’s Selective Mutism Program and supervisor for its Brave Bunch Program. She frequently consults with schools and presents in the community to support youths’ mental health needs.
    Sessions
    • P04 : All Hands on Deck: Development and Evaluation of Provider Training in Delivering Intensive Group Based Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM)
  • Katherine Gibson, PsyD, ABPP
    Dr. Kate Gibson is a Licensed Psychologist, Board Certified in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Dr. Gibson earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. She has dedicated her career to the provision of evidence-based treatments. Dr. Gibson owns Parent and Child Psychological Services in Sarasota, Florida, a group private practice focused on providing EBTs for children and teens. Dr. Gibson has expertise in treating anxiety, OCD and related disorders, selective mutism, trauma and behavior challenges. Dr. Gibson is certified by PCIT International as a PCIT Regional Trainer. Dr. Gibson is co-author of “Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Adapted for Older Children: A Research Development Manual.” Dr Gibson is also certified by Kurtz Psychology Consulting as a PCIT for Selective Mutism Regional Trainer. Dr Gibson ran SM camps at Kurtz Psychology, helped launch one at Caring Cove in New Jersey, and runs a standard and advanced SM camp at her own practice.
    Sessions
    • P06 : Lumpers vs. Splitters: Shared Principles and Real Differences in Treatments for Selective Mutism
  • Shelley Avny, PhD
    Dr. Avny is a clinical psychologist with expertise in assessing and treating anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. One of her primary areas of specialization is in treating youth with selective mutism. After completing her post-doctoral fellowship at the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Avny served as the Director of the Selective Mutism Program at Kurtz Psychology Consulting. She then opened the Child & Adolescent Anxiety Practice (CAAP) to pursue her programmatic and clinical visions. Dr. Avny is best known for developing and implementing WeSpeak – the first behavioral group intensive program for tweens and teens with SM. WeSpeak has been presented at national conferences, and was documented and aired as an episode on the BBC World News. Dr. Avny is frequently invited to give webinars and trainings on treating older youth with Selective Mutism.
    Sessions
    • P05 : From Camp to the Classroom and Community: Outcomes, Moderators and Generalization of Gains
  • Alisa Gudz, PsyD
    Alisa Gudz, PsyD., is a staff psychologist CBC where she conducts individual, family and group therapy with children, adolescents and adults with a range of clinical presentations. She is the coordinator of the PCIT and Child and Anxiety Related Disorders programs at CBC. She earned her Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree in School Psychology from St. John’s University. Dr. Gudz previously earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Psychology from New York University. Dr. Gudz has extensive training in providing evidenced-based interventions to children, adolescents and adults with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, selective mutism, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, school refusal, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and various mood disorders. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Dr. Gudz is a certified Parent-Child Interaction Therapist (PCIT) and a certified Parent-Child Interaction for Selective Mutism therapist (PCIT-SM). Dr. Gudz's doctoral research focused on school professional’s knowledge in working with students with selective mutism. She is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT).
    Sessions
    • P03 : Navigating the Road to Brave Talking: Mid-Treatment Decision-Making in SM Treatment
  • Elle Daoust
    Elle Daoust is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker at the Boston Child Study Center, where she provides evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for young children and adolescents, as well as caregiver coaching. Elle earned her Master’s Degree from the Boston University’s School of Social Work, along with an award for academic excellence. Elle completed her advanced clinical training at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD), where she provided individual and group CBT and PCIT-informed treatments to youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and selective mutism. Elle has gained clinical experience in a variety of settings such as McLean Hospital’s 3 East Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program, North Shore Medical Center’s Adolescent Partial Hospital Program, and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Pediatric Center for OCD and Related Disorders. Elle is also trained in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), by Dr. Eli Lebowitz of the Yale Child Study Center. After earning her MSW, Elle began her career as a child and adolescent clinical therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Pediatric Psychiatry Department, where she applied Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and CBT for children and adolescents with OCD, anxiety disorders, and Tourette Syndrome. Elle also developed and directed group programming at MGH for caregivers of children with anxiety and related disorders using the SPACE protocol. Elle’s clinical interests include providing evidence-based exposure therapy techniques to decrease avoidance and foster a values driven life, caregiver support and psycho-education to decrease accommodation of anxiety and related disorders, as well as adapting evidence-based treatments for younger children. Elle has a warm, encouraging, and dedicated nature that she employs to support her clients in reaching their goals
    Sessions
    • P08 : Game On: Creative Strategies for Unlocking Speech in Selective Mutism
  • Jennifer Gerdts
    Sessions
    • P02 : Silence Skews the Score: A Clinical Pathway for Equitable Access to Psychological Assessment in Children with Selective Mutism
  • Rachel Kupferberg, PsyD
    Dr. Rachel Kupferberg is a clinical psychologist and Director of the Selective Mutism Program at NYU Child Study Center, where she provides weekly behavior therapy for SM and runs the group intensive programming for youth with SM. She is a certified PCIT-SM therapist and is currently working towards becoming a Within Agency Trainer for PCIT-SM. Prior to joining NYU Child Study Center as faculty, she completed her postdoctoral fellowship on the Empirically Supported Treatments for Children with Selective Mutism and ADHD track at NYU. Dr. Kupferberg's research interests center around intensive group treatments for children and adolescents with SM. She recently published a paper entitled "Intensive Group Behavioral Treatment for Older Youth with SM: An Open Trial", examining the preliminary effectiveness of an IGBT for older youth with SM.
    Sessions
    • P05 : From Camp to the Classroom and Community: Outcomes, Moderators and Generalization of Gains
  • Joleen R. Fernald, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL
    Joleen R. Fernald, PhD, CCC-SLP was awarded Board Specialty Recognition in Child Language from the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Dr. Fernald follows Greenspan and Wieder’s model, DIRFloortime® , when working with children and families. She has a special interest in the social emotional development of young children and its impact on their speech and language skills. As a speech-language pathologist, Dr. Fernald works with children who have a variety of communication disorders. She partnered with Easter Seals NH in 2006 to begin the first multidisciplinary assessment and treatment clinic specifically for children with selective mutism and has recreated the model in the Tampa Bay area of Florida as well. In 2018, Dr. Fernald cofounded a private DIRFloortime school that supports children with various individual differences and most recently partnered with fellow DIR colleagues to open a DIR therapy center. She enjoys public speaking and has presented both nationally and internationally on the topics of childhood apraxia of speech and selective mutism.
    Sessions
    • P06 : Lumpers vs. Splitters: Shared Principles and Real Differences in Treatments for Selective Mutism
  • Megan Frye
    Sessions
    • P02 : Silence Skews the Score: A Clinical Pathway for Equitable Access to Psychological Assessment in Children with Selective Mutism
  • Annelie Salvi
    Annelie Salvi is a graduate student in Psychology at Boston University, where she also earned her B.A. in Neuroscience. She is a Graduate Research Assistant at Boston University's Child Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, where her work focuses on clinical research, data management, and evidence-based interventions for youth anxiety.
    Sessions
    • P04 : All Hands on Deck: Development and Evaluation of Provider Training in Delivering Intensive Group Based Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM)
  • Rebecca Leong, M.S., CCC-SLP
    Rebecca Leong, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and selective mutism specialist, and the owner of Roaring Whisper, a private practice dedicated to the treatment of selective mutism. She specializes in evidence-based approaches, including Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM), and works closely with families and schools to support children across settings. As a parent of a child who experienced selective mutism, Rebecca understands firsthand the fear, frustration, and hope that come with navigating this journey. That lived experience deeply informs both her clinical approach and her commitment to supporting families through every step of the process.
    Sessions
    • C03 : When Behavioral Therapy Isn’t Enough: The Tough Call To Add Medication
  • Olivia Garber
    I am a speech-language pathologist and the founder of Chatterbox Speech Therapy, LLC, where I blend my love of communication with a deep commitment to supporting children and families holistically. I specialize in expressive language, social-pragmatic communication, and Selective Mutism, and I love working with children across a wide range of language needs. In 2020, I completed my Certificate in Infant Mental Health through Erikson Institute, which allowed me to bridge my passion for speech and language with my interest in mental health and family systems support. That same year, I launched Chatterbox to offer speech and language therapy, infant and early childhood mental health consulting, and DIR/Floortime training — an approach in which I am a certified clinician through ICDL.
    Sessions
    • P06 : Lumpers vs. Splitters: Shared Principles and Real Differences in Treatments for Selective Mutism
  • Aileen Herrera, M. S., LMHC
    Aileen Herrera is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and the Clinical Director of the MINT Anxiety Clinic within the Center for Children and Families (CCF) at Florida International University. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Selective Mutism Association. She supervises student trainees and provides weekly and intensive treatment for children and teens with emotional disorders in both English and Spanish. Aileen is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM). She also directs specialty programs for youth with selective mutism, including FIU’s Brave Bunch Summer Treatment Program. She graduated from Florida State University in May of 2015 Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. During her undergraduate, Aileen worked for two years as a research assistant at the Anxiety and Behavioral Health Clinic at Florida State University. Aileen received a Master of Science in Professional Counseling Psychology at Florida International University. She completed her practicum at FIU’s Center for Children and Families where she was trained in providing individual and group treatment for children ages 2 to 7 with behavioral problems using Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. She also served as a lead behavioral counselor for two years at FIU’s Pre-K Summer Treatment Program for young children with disruptive behavior disorders. She completed her clinical internship with the MINT Anxiety program where she provided individual, group, and intensive cognitive-behavioral treatment in English and Spanish to children and adolescents with anxiety, and served as a lead counselor for FIU’s Brave Bunch Summer Treatment program.
    Sessions
    • P05 : From Camp to the Classroom and Community: Outcomes, Moderators and Generalization of Gains
  • Jenna Blum, Psy.D.
    Dr. Jenna Blum is a licensed psychologist who provides evidence-based assessment and treatment to children, adolescents, and adults. She received her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from Chestnut Hill College and specialized in Family and Couple Therapy. Dr. Blum holds multiple leadership roles at the SMart Center, serving as a Lead Clinical Psychologist, Director of Counseling and Assessments (C&A), Supervisor, and Director of CommuniCamp™ Counselors. She has extensive experience working with individuals across the lifespan presenting with a wide range of concerns, including selective mutism, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, trauma, learning challenges, and more. She also has co-facilitated therapeutic groups for children and adolescents. Dr. Blum specializes in comprehensive psychological evaluations, including the administration and interpretation of various measures. Dr. Blum is certified in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM), and has specialized training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Her clinical approach is grounded in psychodynamic and family systems frameworks while integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to provide individualized care. Dr. Blum has particular expertise in Selective Mutism and related anxiety and social communication disorders, conducting in-depth evaluations that integrate caregiver input and clinical observations to generate clear, actionable recommendations. She serves as a trusted consultant to schools, educators, and multidisciplinary teams, supporting the implementation of effective, school-based interventions and accommodations. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Blum provides professional training and consultation to clinicians and organizations and plays a key role in overseeing clinical services to ensure high-quality, individualized care. She supervises doctoral trainees and consultants, leads training initiatives, and supports case conceptualization and treatment planning. Dr. Blum also presents multiple times per year as part of CommuniCamp™ parent training, providing education and guidance to caregivers. She is actively involved in intake and care coordination, develops comprehensive reports for families and schools, and collaborates closely with caregivers to promote meaningful progress across settings.
    Sessions
    • P06 : Lumpers vs. Splitters: Shared Principles and Real Differences in Treatments for Selective Mutism
    • C07 : Beyond Silence: Developing Effective Treatment Plans for Older Children and Teens with Selective Mutism

CE Info

Each professional is responsible for the individual requirements as stipulated by his/her licensing agency. Please contact your individual licensing board/regulatory agency to review continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Please note: You must attend "live" (in real-time) for the duration of the training to earn CE credits.

Before the event, you will receive access to your personalized Attendee Dashboard hosted on the CE-Go website. This link will be sent to the email account you used to register for the event.

Upon accessing the CE-Go "attendee dashboard", you will be able to:

  • Complete evaluation forms for sessions you attend
  • Download your continuing education certificate in a PDF format

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the CE-Go platform, please contact CE-Go at 888-498-5578 or by email at support@ce-go.com Please Note: Emails for this event will come from "support@ceactivities.com".

If you have any continuing education related questions, please contact your event organizer.

Please make sure to check your spam/junk folder in case those emails get "stuck". We'd also suggest "Allowlisting" support@ceactivities.com. This tells your email client that you know this sender and trust them, which will keep emails from this contact at the top of your inbox and out of the junk folder.

Continuing Education Credit Hours are available from the following organizations

In-Person

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Joint Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
American Psychological Association
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
New York Education Department's State Board for Social Work
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #0060.
New York Education Department Board of Creative Arts Therapy
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board of Creative Arts Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #CAT-0008
New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.
New York Education Department Board for Licensed Psychoanalysts
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychoanalysts as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #P-0031.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #PSY-0016.
New York Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MFT-0045.

Policies

CELS Grievance Policy
If a grievance arises pertaining to continuing education activities or processes, please contact Tyler Gibson via confidential email to tyler@celearningsystems.com as soon as possible, so that the nature of the concern may be addressed in a timely fashion.
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Selective Mutism Association Annual Conference 2026
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$0.00 - $390.00
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  • Type
    In-Person Event
  • Location
    Hilton Boston Park Plaza (50 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116)
  • Date
    September 25 - 26, 2026

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