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Integrating Behavioral Techniques With Experiential Play Therapy for Selective Mutism: A Single-Case Experimental
1Department of Psychology, Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Türkiye.
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
|August 3, 2026
Summary
Experiential Play Therapy (EPT) with behavioral techniques significantly reduced anxiety and improved communication in a preschooler with selective mutism (SM). This intervention shows promise for early childhood SM treatment.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Therapeutic Interventions
Background:
- Selective Mutism (SM) is an anxiety-related disorder impacting children's communication and social interaction.
- Early intervention is crucial for addressing SM in preschool-aged children.
- Experiential Play Therapy (EPT) offers a developmentally appropriate approach for young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the preliminary effectiveness of integrating Experiential Play Therapy (EPT) with behavioral techniques for a preschooler diagnosed with selective mutism (SM).
- To assess the impact of the integrated intervention on anxiety levels, communication skills, social interaction, and behavioral responses.
- To provide preliminary evidence for a novel therapeutic approach in early childhood SM.
Main Methods:
- A single-case A-B-A experimental design was employed, adhering to SCRIBE 2016 guidelines.
- The study included a baseline (A1), intervention (B), and follow-up (A2) phase.
- Anxiety was measured using the Revised Preschool Anxiety Scale (RPAS), and clinical progress was assessed via systematic therapist ratings. Data analysis included visual analysis and non-overlap indices (NAP, Tau-U).
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in total RPAS scores were observed, decreasing from 113 at baseline to 66 post-intervention and 59 at follow-up.
- Systematic therapist ratings indicated substantial and consistent improvements in all assessed behavioral and communicative domains.
- The intervention phase (B) lasted 23 sessions, preceded by a 6-session baseline (A1) and followed by a 2-session follow-up (A2).
Conclusions:
- The integration of Experiential Play Therapy (EPT) and behavioral techniques demonstrates preliminary effectiveness in treating selective mutism (SM) in a preschool-aged child.
- The findings support this combined approach as a promising intervention for early childhood SM.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to validate these results and explore comparative effectiveness.
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