EP73: The Three-Letter Formula That Lowers Anxiety & Unlocks Communication w/ Dr. Jenna Blum

Episode 73 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum, exploring the PVC model — a practical, anxiety-lowering framework built around three core principles: Preparing, Visuals, and Choice questions.

In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna discuss why deliberate preparation before an exposure matters more than most families realize, and how anticipation anxiety can undermine a child's readiness before they even walk through the door.

They cover how visuals reduce cognitive load in ways verbal preparation alone cannot, why choice questions are a powerful tool for moving a child from responding to initiating, and how silent goals allow parents to set up supportive environments for resistant or overwhelmed children. They also introduce the look-listen-learn approach to understanding what strategies work best for each individual.

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Chapters:

(03:26) What the PVC Model Is and Why Anxiety Makes Communication So Hard

(13:19) Why Preparation Before an Exposure Matters More Than the Exposure Itself

(25:29) How Visuals Lower Cognitive Load and Why Writing It Down Changes Everything

(33:15) Using the Social Communication Bridge to Meet Every Child Where They Are

(43:05) Why Choice Questions Are the Key to Moving From Responding to Initiating

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Prepare, Visuals, Choices! A Parent’s Guide to Reducing Anxiety and Boosting Communication for Children with Selective Mutism

Ask Dr. E a question of your own!

Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

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Get started at the SMart Center

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.

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Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference on April, 10th, 2026, with your child or teen’s school staff. 6.5 CEs/CEUs are available.

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For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠

This podcast was produced and published by New Edition Productions (neweditionconsulting.com)