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 

Explore our SMart Center success stories! 

Get started at the SMart Center 

Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here. 

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube 

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. 

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

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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)