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Selective Mutism & Social Anxiety Groups

Children or teens who struggle with selective mutism (SM) and/or social anxiety experience significant discomfort around many social situations. While they may be talkative at home, they may fall silent or appear frozen in public settings or with certain individuals. Given the current circumstances of COVID-19, some of those kids or teens with these difficulties are feeling more at ease given that many of these social interactions are no longer readily available. Others, who may have been forming social connections in-person, are struggling to connect with teachers and classmates now that the demand has switched to web-based services.
The following child, teen, and parent groups are virtual and specially focused on navigating Selective Mutism and other anxieties in the midst of the challenging COVID-19 circumstances. 

Weekly Young Child SM Group

Upcoming Session date / time TBD.

Ages 4-8

Actively enrolling; please email smgroup@kurtzpsychology.com if you are interested in joining.

Our group intervention at Kurtz Psychology incorporates evidence-based approaches with engaging and relevant activities to target your child’s increased verbalizations and interactions with adults and peers. Each week we will practice taking attendance, reviewing the date & weather, and participating in an activity. Each child’s individual goals will gradually increase in difficulty each week that they participate, working up to practicing group presentations (e.g., Show & Tell). Registration is open to all families, new or current.

Areas of focus: Responding to and asking questions, participating in a classroom, interacting with peers, presenting to a group, etc.

Location: Our in-person group will take place in our offices at 57 W 57th Street, Suite 1007, New York, NY 10019.

Costs: $200/group, billed weekly. Post-group feedback will be billed at $250 per half-hour.

Register: Call 212. 658. 0110 ext. 124 or email smgroup@kurtzpsychology.com.

  • Individual session(s) with one of our clinicians may be necessary beforehand to ensure child is able to respond and engage in this virtual group.
  • If clinically indicated, these individual sessions are billed separately.
  • Parents must be familiar with the PCIT-SM approach to support group interactions and available to participate, if the clinician sees a need.
  • Registration will be capped at 6 participants.

Weekly Virtual Older Child SM Group

Ongoing (time TBD)

Ages 9-12

Email smgroup@kurtzpsychology.com if interested; spots are limited!

Our group intervention at Kurtz Psychology incorporates evidence-based approaches with engaging and relevant activities to target your child’s increased verbalizations and interactions with adults and peers. Children will have an opportunity to meet other children with similar difficulties and participate in weekly lessons simulating a classroom. Over the course of the group, each child will provide one presentation to the group. Registration is open to all families, new and current!

Areas of focus: Responding to and asking questions, interacting with peers, participating in a classroom, presenting to a group, etc.

Location: Online

Costs: $200/group, billed weekly. Post-group feedback will be billed at $250 per half-hour.

Register: Call 212. 658. 0110 ext. 124 or email smgroup@kurtzpsychology.com.

  • All children required to respond verbally to one of our clinicians via an individual session prior to registration.
  • Individual sessions available beforehand, if clinically indicated. Sessions billed separately.
  • Parents must be familiar with the PCIT-SM approach to support group interactions and available to participate, if the clinician sees a need.
  • Registration will be capped at 6 participants.
  • All families are required to commit to the full month to promote consistency and relationship-building.

Weekly Virtual Adolescent & Teen SM Group

Ongoing (time TBD)

Ages 13-17

Email smgroup@kurtzpsychology.com if interested; spots are limited!

Our group intervention at Kurtz Psychology incorporates evidence-based approaches with engaging and relevant activities to target your child’s increased verbalizations and interactions with adults and peers within a virtual format. Children will have an opportunity to meet other children with similar difficulties and participate in weekly lessons simulating an online classroom. Over the course of the group, each child will provide one presentation to the group. Registration is open to all families, new and current!

Areas of focus: Responding to and asking questions, interacting virtually with peers, participating in a virtual classroom, presenting to a group, etc.

Location: Online

Costs: $200/group, billed weekly. Post-group feedback will be billed at $250 per half-hour.

Register: Call 212. 658. 0110 ext. 124 or email smgroup@kurtzpsychology.com.

  • All children required to respond verbally to the group clinician via an individual session prior to registration.
  • Individual sessions available beforehand, if clinically indicated. Sessions billed separately.
  • Parents must be familiar with the PCIT-SM approach to support group interactions and available to participate, if the clinician sees a need.
  • Registration will be capped at 6 participants.
  • All families are required to commit to the full month to promote consistency and relationship-building.
Selective Mutism & Social Anxiety Groups | Kurtz Psychology