Selective Mutism & Social Anxiety Support Group
Evidence-Based Skills, Strategies, and Support
WHEN: Starting April 10, 2024
Wednesdays at 4:45pm
WHERE: In-person at the WaveMind Clinic in West LA
DURATION: 8 weeks
The WaveMind Clinic will be running a pre-teen/teen social group for current patients diagnosed with either selective mutism or social anxiety disorder. This will be a 1-hour, 8-week group with the intention of strengthening brave speaking, socializing, and coping with anxious thoughts and triggers. Kids/teens aged 12-15 are eligible for this group. Each session will be $75 per patient with an anticipated start of April 10, 2024.
Email hello@wavemindclinic.com or call 310-299-8319 for more information!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this group cost?
The cost of this group is $75 per session (total cost for 8 sessions: $600)
Any child age 12-15 with a diagnosis of Selective Mutism or Social Anxiety Disorder.
We ask that prospective participants are open to communicating verbally, at least in some capacity, in order for this group to be most effective. Children will gain support and skills to encourage talking/interacting with others.
Get in touch with us if you’re not sure if you’d be a good fit for this group by filling out the contact form below, or emailing us at hello@wavemindclinic.com
What is the eligibility criteria for this group?
Will my insurance cover this group?
Our practice is out-of-network and not covered by insurance. However, if you have out-of-network benefits with your insurance plan, you may get a portion of this group reimbursed, and we can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Who will be leading this group?
Dr. Bahar Rahnama (licensed clinical psychologist) – an expert in selective mutism and social anxiety disorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
(for teens)
What is this group about?
What actually happens in the group?
Do I have to participate in everything?
Am I going to have to talk about my feelings? What if I don’t want to?
How do you know that this group will help me speak or socialize more?
This group is intended to place courage at the forefront of your goals and recognize the unique ways you can shine in social situations that may otherwise cause you to feel anxious or afraid. You will be encouraged to recognize your strengths that will help you reach your goals as well as personal areas of improvement through psychoeducation, coping skills, and creative outlets such as journaling or drawing.
We talk about how selective mutism and social anxiety impacts functioning across settings, situations, and the relationships we dearly value. We learn effective and useful coping strategies to help us face our fears. We also definitely make time for fun games that target our goals while also encouraging some relaxation and mental disconnect from our anxious triggers.
I will meet you where you are at. By that I mean that you will never be expected to engage in any intervention that feels unsettling. We just ask that you recognize where and how you can be comfortably challenged and increase your capacity to be brave!
Would it be therapy if I wasn’t asking how you feel about every little thing? But in all seriousness, you can absolutely decline answering questions about your feelings. Some "feelings" questions that you can anticipate to be asked may include your feelings about the group experience, feelings about confronting your fears or worries, and feelings about an exposure you practiced outside of group. If you aren't comfortable responding, we ask that you are critically thinking about how your feelings impact your thoughts, behaviors, and overall functioning.
Many of the interventions that you will be taught are evidence-based, meaning that thorough research has proven that these skills improve self-regulation, your ability to verbalize more and with greater confidence, and enhanced comfort in social situations.
We hope that this group will help you feel better and more capable of reaching your greatest goals, and that you make meaningful connections with other participants that may share parts of your personal story!