Some children have a behaviorally inhibited personality trait. This inhibition can manifest in social anxiety or selective mutism. Those with selective mutism can speak but struggle to do so in anxiety-inducing situations, leading to challenges in school, social life, and daily activities. Those with social anxiety, may speak more often but still experience anxiety in social settings and struggle to speak or engage with others.

Newport Psychotherapy offers a comprehensive treatment program that involves the individual child, parents, teachers, pediatricians and others. Dr. Cindy May uses an evidence-based approach consisting of specialized behavioral and cognitive behavioral techniques. All treatment is individualized to the particular child and family. The ultimate goal is for your child to be more comfortable being themselves in all settings.

Initial Evaluation

Parent Interview: An initial 90 Minute parent-only meeting. The purpose of this session is to discuss the child’s history, current functioning in different settings, and parent’s specific concerns. 

School Observation: An initial school visit provides therapists information about how and to whom the child is communicating, and how teachers and staff are currently interacting with the child. The information gathered through the observation helps to guide the school-based treatment plan. 

Intake Interview with Child: An initial 30 minute meeting to observe and interact with the child.  The purpose of this session is to assess the child’s current functioning with the therapist.

Treatment Plan

Once all the information is gathered, an individualized treatment plan is created, including specific steps to be used at home, school, and in the community.  Treatment is approached from an evidence-based perspective using aspects of systematic desensitization, shaping, stimulus fading, and educating the child, parent, and teachers about social anxiety and selective mutism.