Unspoken Words: A Selective Mutism Podcast by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

Episode 79 of the Unspoken Words podcast features Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum exploring the power of intensive group treatment for Selective Mutism — and why it works as a springboard that propels children and teens further, whether they're just starting treatment, midway through, or looking for one final push. Drawing on nearly ten years of CommuniCamp, the SMart Center's int...

Episode 78 of the Unspoken Words podcast features Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum exploring the power of preparation — why structured action plans reduce anxiety and unlock communication for children, teens, and adults with Selective Mutism. The episode explores why uncertainty fuels anxiety to the point of shutdown — how processing challenges, perfectionism, and hidden factors like ADHD...

Episode 77 of the Unspoken Words podcast features Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum exploring the Look, Listen, and Learn framework — a structured approach that teaches parents, educators, and treatment professionals to understand what children communicate through behavior, body language, and silence. The episode explores why observation matters more than focusing solely on speech — how a c...

Episode 76 of the Unspoken Words podcast features Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum tackling one of the most misunderstood realities of Selective Mutism — the difficult behaviors that so often surface alongside it. Meltdowns, shutdowns, avoidance, and controlling moments leave many parents exhausted, and Dr. E and Dr. Jenna make the case that none of these behaviors are defiance. They are c...

Episode 75 of the Unspoken Words podcast features Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum answering some of the most commonly submitted listener questions received at the SMart Center — covering peer engagement, school transitions, and a topic that doesn't get nearly enough airtime: grief. Dr. E and Dr. Jenna tackle why children with SM can speak freely at home yet go completely silent around...

Episode 74 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum, exploring one of the most frequently asked — and misunderstood — questions in the selective mutism community: Is it SM, autism, or both? In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna break down the core features of each condition and explain why they so often look alike on the surface — while ste...

Episode 73 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum, exploring the PVC model — a practical, anxiety-lowering framework built around three core principles: Preparing, Visuals, and Choice questions. In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna discuss why deliberate preparation before an exposure matters more than most families realize, and how anti...

Episode 72 of the Unspoken Words podcast features Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum exploring why Selective Mutism is so much more than shyness and why comprehensive assessment matters. In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna discuss how misunderstanding SM as simple shyness leads to missed diagnoses. They explore the distinction between shyness and anxiety-based communication challenges, ident...

EP71 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, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna address five important questions about selective mutism; including behavioral challenges in children who are verbal with peers, whether SM runs in families and how to support multiple children, school separation anxiety...

Episode 70 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed., discussing detecting Selective Mutism early and building the foundation for successful intervention through intentional language and collaborative support. In the episode, Dr. E and Cara explore why early detection matters and why many cases of Selective Mutism are missed in young...

Episode 69 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and parenting activist and founder of Tilt Parenting, Debbie Reber, on raising neurodivergent children and the connection between neurodivergence and Selective Mutism.   In the episode, Dr. E and Debbie explore why Selective Mutism is often overlooked in neurodivergent children and how it co-occurs with au...

EP68 of the Unspoken Words podcast features the five most popular chapter cuts from 2025. -- Chapters:   (02:23) VIA EP45 (SHINING STAR) - NICK’S ADVICE TO TEENS STRUGGLING WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM (11:15) VIA EP47 (ASK DR. E) - WHERE SHOULD TREATMENT START FOR A 4-YEAR-OLD W/ SELECTIVE MUTISM? (22:49) VIA EP48 (SHINING STAR) - ALEX’S UNIQUE BUT RELATABLE EXPERIENCE WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM  (27:23) VIA...

EP67 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and licensed Occupational Therapist and the creator and host of Adulting with Autism Podcast, April Ratchford, on the intersection of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Selective Mutism in adulthood.   In the episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and April Ratchford explore how ASD and Selective Mutism often co-occur and why...

EP66 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, Leo. In this episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Leo’s mom, Misty, discuss how her family found the right treatment approach for Leo, concrete examples of Leo’s ex...

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...

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 mistake...

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 ac...

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...

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 M...

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 (...

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. -- Chapters: (5:47) Strategies for Positive Start to School Year (17:...

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...

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.  -- Chapters: (9:53) The Role Adults Play in Helping Kids Speak (20:25) Tips for Creating Comfort for Children with Selective Mutism (29:45) Hel...

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. -- Chapters:   (3:37) Breaking the traditional therapy model (15:50) The magi...

EP55 features a discussion between Dr E and Dr. Jenna Blum, a Clinical Psycholgoist 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 break down how to foster independence in elementary-aged children. They discuss how to encourage decision making, foster self-help skills, develop y...