This episode focuses on the childhood social anxiety disorder called selective mutism, from a therapist's perspective. I interview developmental psychologist, Dr. Esther Hess, from the Center for the Developing Mind in Los Angeles, CA. As a psychologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating selective mutism, Dr. Hess talks about her practice, the causes of SM, her experiences in treating SM kids, her thoughts on how the COVID pandemic has affected her patients, and more. Her therapy dog, Elsa, also greets us! This is the final episode of a three-episode series on selective mutism. Check out episode 1, Selective Mutism: The Child's Perspective, and episode 2, Selective Mutism: The Parent’s Perspective, in the episode list on the main podcast page. “We cannot teach people anything, we can only help them discover it within themselves.” -Galileo Galilei *For more information on Dr. Hess please visit www.centerforthedevelopingmind.com. Her book, Alfie: You and Me Are Twins: The Working Life of a Therapy Dog, can be found at www.amazon.com/Alfie-Twins-Working-Life-Therapy/dp/B08L3NWBQR. For more information on selective mutism please visit the Selective Mutism Association (SMA) at www.selectivemutism.org. For more information on Erin Glow please visit www.eringlow.com.