GIVING TUESDAY: FIRST 100 TO GIVE $100

About Elisa Shipon-Blum DO

Elisa Shipon-Blum DO, is the President and Director of the Selective Mutism Anxiety and Related Disorders Treatment Center (SMart Center) located in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. She is the Founder and Director Emeritus of the Selective Mutism Association (SMA) and a Director of the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI), a foundation established to study Dr. Shipon-Blum’s theories and treatment methodologies on Selective Mutism. In addition, Dr Shipon-Blum is Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology & Family Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a board certified physician who specializes in Selective Mutism. Dr. Shipon-Blum practices in Jenkintown, PA, and has developed the evidenced-based Social Communication Anxiety Treatment (S-CAT)® from her years studying and researching individuals with Selective Mutism. She consults worldwide with families, treating professionals, and educators, and has helped thousands of children from around the world overcome Selective Mutism. Based on her successful S-CAT® program, Dr. E also created CommuniCamp™, an intensive group treatment program for children with Selective Mutism, social anxiety, and extreme shyness. Dr. Shipon-Blum lectures throughout the country on the topic of Selective Mutism, performs school evaluations and training for treating professionals, educators, and parents, and is considered one of the world’s leading experts in the treatment, research, and understanding of Selective Mutism. She has been a featured expert on national television programs such as 20/20, CNN, Inside Edition, and Good Morning America, as well as other local, national, and international television and radio broadcasts. In addition, 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, and Palm Beach Post. Dr. Shipon-Blum is presently involved in multiple collaborative research projects with top researchers and clinicians. In addition to her research she has written numerous articles and books on Selective Mutism and anxiety including ‘Easing School Jitters for the Selectively Mute Child,’ ‘The Ideal Classroom Setting for the Selectively Mute Child,’ ‘Understanding Katie,’ ‘Supplement Treatment Guide Book to Understanding Katie‘, ‘Selective Mutism Summer Vacation & Back to School Guide‘ and ‘ Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety Disorder in School .’ She has also produced numerous DVDs on the topics of treatment and assessment of Selective Mutism, and the development of school accommodations and interventions for mute children. Dr. Shipon-Blum (or Dr. E as her patients refer to her) prides herself on being ‘down to earth’ and ‘easy to speak to’, and resides with her family in the northeast suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Notably, she is also the mother of a child, Sophie, who suffered from and overcame Selective Mutism and is the inspiration for the work she does each day.

How to Help Your Teen Improve Their Time Management Skills

2024-10-08T10:51:41-04:00October 8th, 2024|

For most teens, life can feel like a whirlwind of school assignments, extracurricular activities, social events, and family obligations. For our teens with Selective Mutism, [...]

Comments Off on How to Help Your Teen Improve Their Time Management Skills

How to Empower Teens and Young Adults who Suffer from Selective Mutism

2024-05-13T09:37:24-04:00May 9th, 2024|

Navigating adolescence and the emerging adulthood years can be challenging. However, with the right guidance, teens and young adults can develop the tools they [...]

Comments Off on How to Empower Teens and Young Adults who Suffer from Selective Mutism

Transitions can be Challenging for Children with Selective Mutism: Tips for a Smooth

2024-04-25T16:51:39-04:00April 25th, 2024|

Are you often met with resistance when it’s time for your child to transition into activities, tasks, or social opportunities? Many parents can relate to [...]

Comments Off on Transitions can be Challenging for Children with Selective Mutism: Tips for a Smooth

Ask Dr. E: I suspect my 5-year-old son has Selective Mutism, however, he has never been diagnosed or evaluated for SM. What does the process look like for evaluation?

2024-04-15T14:17:20-04:00April 8th, 2024|Tags: , , , , |

“I suspect my 5-year-old son has Selective Mutism, however, he has never been diagnosed or evaluated for SM. What does the process look like [...]

Comments Off on Ask Dr. E: I suspect my 5-year-old son has Selective Mutism, however, he has never been diagnosed or evaluated for SM. What does the process look like for evaluation?

Ask Dr. E: Is it common for OCD to be a comorbidity with SM?

2024-04-15T14:19:12-04:00February 27th, 2024|Tags: , , , , , |

"Is it common for OCD to be a comorbidity with SM? If so, what are some treatment strategies?" OCD can absolutely be a comorbidity [...]

Comments Off on Ask Dr. E: Is it common for OCD to be a comorbidity with SM?

EP23: Managing Your Anxiety with Lynn Lyons, LICSW

2024-04-23T16:22:21-04:00February 26th, 2024|Tags: , , |

Dr. E and Lynn discuss how to balance parental intervention and accommodations to avoid the pitfalls of excessive worry and anxiety that could cripple a child's development.

Comments Off on EP23: Managing Your Anxiety with Lynn Lyons, LICSW

Understanding School Refusal: Causes, Impact, and Strategies for Support

2024-04-15T14:19:49-04:00February 20th, 2024|Tags: , , , , |

School refusal is a complex issue that affects a significant number of children and adolescents. It refers to a child's persistent resistance or refusal [...]

Comments Off on Understanding School Refusal: Causes, Impact, and Strategies for Support

EP22: Live Chat w/ Parents of Tweens with SM

2024-11-25T16:43:02-05:00February 12th, 2024|Tags: , |

Three parents, Daphne, Edwin, and Julie, engage in conversation, sharing their experiences and asking questions related to their children's specific circumstances.

Comments Off on EP22: Live Chat w/ Parents of Tweens with SM

EP20: How Shining Star Audrey Whisman Overcame SM

2024-04-23T16:23:55-04:00January 15th, 2024|Tags: , , , |

Dr. E sits down with former patient, Audrey, to discuss how she overcame Selective Mutism.

Comments Off on EP20: How Shining Star Audrey Whisman Overcame SM
Go to Top