BETWEEN VOICES:
PSYCHOEDUCATION PROGRAM FOR EDUCATORS IN THE TREATMENT OF SELECTIVE MUTISM
selective mutism; anxiety disorder; educators; psychoeducation; school context.
Selective mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a persistent inability to speak in specific social situations, such as school, even though the child can speak verbally in familiar environments like home. If not treated early, this condition can lead to serious impairments in the child's educational, psychological, and social development. The justification for this project lies in the scarcity of evidence-based interventions adapted to the school context and the lack of familiarity among educators with management techniques in the classroom. The school environment is a privileged space for implementing therapeutic strategies and is essential for the effectiveness of treatment. In this context, this project aims to develop, implement, and evaluate a psychoeducation program for educators called Entre Vozes ("Between Voices"). The program is designed to train educators in the process of identifying and welcoming students with selective mutism, integrating the school as a fundamental pillar in the treatment triad. The initiative, therefore, seeks to promote qualified awareness about the disorder, providing the school community with adequate tools for the management and support of these students.