Comprehensive Selective Mutism Program
Dr. Annie Simpson and Dr. Rosalind Catchpole
We offer comprehensive treatment services for selective mutism at Cornerstone Child and Family Psychology Clinic. These include parent workshops, education and support, individual and group (“Club Brave”) care for children, and school outreach. We also offer therapy via zoom for families who do not live locally. Each summer, we offer an annual intensive program (‘Camp Brave’). See below for the for the latest dates.
If you feel your child may have selective mutism and is between the ages of 3 and 11, and you are local to the Vancouver area, we recommend signing up for the comprehensive program option, which provides all elements of evidence-based service for SM. If your child is not suited for group therapy (you don’t live locally, their needs are more specific) you can still sign up to get on the waitlist for individual therapy.
Parent Workshop
All families who want to participate in our weekly group program need to first complete a parent/caregiver workshop, offered twice a year via zoom. This 4.5 hour workshop provides in depth information about selective mutism and strategies that parents can use to help their children to speak in new settings. Led together by Dr. Catchpole and Dr. Annie, this workshop provides role modelling, opportunities for practice, and Q&A on how to tailor strategies for your particular child.
Workshop Dates: Saturday March 9, 9-12pm AND Thursday March 14, 6-7:30pm, via zoom
Cost: $650 for both parts, may be billed to parents’ insurance
Please register via our therapy intake inform, and state that you are interested in the selective mutism parent workshop.
Weekly Fall/Spring Club Brave
Sign up / Treatment Process
Sign up to get on the waitlist for our comprehensive group SM program (via email at info@cornerstonepsychology.ca) or via our therapy intake inform
Attend parent workshop virtually in fall or spring.
After the workshop, as space permits, you will participate in a 1 - 1.5 hour parent-only assessment session in order to determine diagnostic picture and treatment pathway
Your child will participate in several individual sessions at Cornerstone in order to confirm diagnostic picture and begin therapeutic process
If you’re child’s treatment needs are well suited to a group setting, we will enroll you in the next available group (offered for 8 weeks starting mid-October or mid-April), or the summer camp option (a week in August).
If your child’s needs are not well suited to a group setting, individual services will be offered when space permits or alternative resources will be provided if the diagnostic picture is outside the scope of treatment offered at Cornerstone.
Your child will attend a lead-in (preparation) session for group therapy. These typically take place on a weekend date shortly before group begins, and are designed to get your child speaking to the group leaders and the peers who will be in group with them
Group therapy takes place for 8 weeks on either a Tuesday or Thursday. There are a maximum of 6 - 8 children per group, with 2 - 3 staff leading group. Group activities include practice socializing and playing games with peers, practice presenting in front of peers and staff, ordering food from nearby coffee shops, practice speaking with unfamiliar adults, and a whole ton of fun! Children who are ill are not permitted to attend until they are better; there is no charge for missed sessions due to illness.
Throughout the duration of the group there are lunchtime parent zoom sessions every other week during which we will cover a variety of topics about how to support your children on their brave talking journey as well as review progress and troubleshoot barriers. Both parents are welcome to attend (no extra charge)
We also offer school education and outreach as part of treatment in order to generalize the gains to that key area.
At the end of the program you have the option of participating in the annual camp brave to consolidate gains.
Dates: 2024
Lead in-sessions (preparation); April 6&7 all day (weekend)
Preschool group: Thursdays 11-12; April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 23, 30, June 6
Younger school group: Thursdays 330 - 430; April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 23, 30, June 6
Older school group: Tuesdays 3:30-4:30 April 6 - May 28. Parent zoom sessions take place Fridays 12-1 on April 12, 26, May 10, 24
Costs
Assessment/individual therapy sessions: $260/hr
Eight week Child group: $1600 (200$/hr)
Four week parent sessions: $800 (200$/hr; can be billed to parents’ insurance)
School outreach costs are $260/hr and may include travel time
School outreach by supervised student $130/hr and may include travel time
Individual Therapy
For families whose needs are not well suited to a group setting, whether because of the child’s age, their particular child’s needs and clinical presentation, or because of geographical limitations, we have several trained clinicians at Cornerstone who provide individual therapy for selective mutism, in person and via videoconference. Please note Dr. Catchpole and Dr. Annie do not provide individual therapy outside of the comprehensive program.
Camp Brave
We provide an intensive summer camp for children aged 4-9 with selective mutism. Taking place for a week each summer, with lead-in sessions the week before to prepare your child for this day camp, Camp Brave can be an excellent way to help children new to selective mutism treatment or boost gains for children who are already receiving services. Children at Camp Brave practice their brave talking in a fun classroom-like setting and participate in fun field trips. Children receive very intensive support as they participate in the camp, allowing them to increase their verbal participation over the week. Parents attend group sessions to learn skills for helping their child with topics like preparing for the new school year, hosting playdates, and practicing brave talking in the community. Please note that to participate in the camp, children must participate in lead-in sessions the week before camp and be able to talk to at least two new adults, and in front of one child. While most children are able to achieve this during the lead-in week, it is not guaranteed. This camp is run under the direction of Dr. Annie Simpson and Dr. Rosalind Catchpole, who together have treated hundreds of children with selective mutism!
Registration for camp opens each year on February 1 and can fill up quickly. If you are interested, complete the therapy intake inform and indicate that you are interested in the summer camp brave for selective mutism!
Summer 2024 Dates (School Age K-Grade 4):
Lead-ins: August 10 and 11 (possible second session during week if needed)
Preparation Day: August 18
Camp Week: August 19-23
Costs:
Camp Week: $3250
Initial assessment: $260/hr (1.5-3 hrs required)
Lead-in/preparation sessions: $260/hr (estimated 4-6 hours required)
Required Post-camp discharge report: $260
Summer 2024 Dates (Preschool age, born 2020):
Lead-ins: July 24th
Camp Week: July 25 - 27
Parent Zoom evening sessions: July 23 and July 31
Costs:
Camp Week: $2000
Initial assessment: $260/hr (1.5-3 hrs required)
Lead-in/preparation sessions: $260/hr (estimated 4-6 hours required)
Optional Post-camp discharge report: $260