2025/11/06 by Filipa Maria Machado Rompante, Rompante, Filipa, Cecília Pedro +7
Psychology · #Acceptance and Commitment Therapy #Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes #Case Study #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy #Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions #Pharmacotherapy #Psychological Flexibility #Selective Mutism
paper · doi:10.60940/psicosompsiquiatrnum35060202
openalex publication_date 2025/11/06 · openalex created_date 2025/12/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/01
Abstract This case study describes the assessment and therapeutic intervention of a 9-year-old boy diagnosed with Selective Mutism, combining a structured Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach with pharmacological treatment using sertraline. The psychotherapeutic plan was multimodal, involving individual sessions with the child, parental intervention, and collaboration with the school context. In parallel, the theoretical relevance of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was explored, given the conceptual overlap between Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety. Throughout 24 sessions, progressive improvements were observed in verbal communication, social functioning, and academic engagement, along with a reduction in overall anxiety. Nonetheless, behavioral inhibition and cognitive rigidity remained present. This case suggests that, beyond cognitive-behavioral intervention, ACT may offer a useful perspective for understanding patterns of experiential avoidance and for promoting psychological flexibility in both the child and their caregivers.