Within the framework of the Visegrad Fund Program for the students of the educational program "Primary education with in-depth study of the English language" on October 31, an open meeting was held on the topic "Cognitive-behavioral therapy for mutism." The event was attended by a teacher of the University of Žilina (the Slovak Republic), a psychologist, a cognitive-behavioral therapist according to the criteria of the European Association for Psychotherapy, supervisor Eva Škorvagová. The translation of the lecture was carried out by Štefan Ižák, Doctor of Philosophy of the Department of Ethnology and World Sciences of the University of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Trnava.

Halyna Handzilevska, Doctor of Psychology, professor, guarantor of the educational program "Primary education with in-depth study of the English language" and organizer of the open lecture addressed with an opening speech:

«Within the framework of the subject "Pedagogy and Psychology of the New Ukrainian School" we discussed the importance of such an educational strategy of the New Ukrainian School as psychologization. Continuing this topic, today we are going to talk about the phenomenon of muteness, its types, causes and consequences. And also about the teacher's area of responsibility, an ecological, safe approach to a child with muteness. I am very glad that the author of the book “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Mutism or the Wonderful World of Silence” Eva Škorvagová is going to tell you about all this».

During the lecture, Eva Shkorvagova told about the collaboration between a teacher and a psychologist in interacting with children with mutism, provided recommendations for future teachers on organizing a safe environment for such interaction, and also presented communication techniques based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy.

The theoretical, research, methodological, methodological assumptions, key interventions and procedures of cognitive-behavioral therapy of a child with mutism presented by the speaker were enriched with practical, illustrative examples, specific work letters and participants' experience.

«It was an honor to share with the students a topic close to me and alive in me, the subject of which is the cognitive-behavioral therapy of mutism. Due to it the voice was safely provided for presentation and the gift of hearing the silent ones who fear that they have light. We forgive the children that they are afraid of the dark. An adult man who is afraid of the light is a tragedy»,

Olga Ivanyuk, as well as Violetta Voytyuk, the students of the 1st year of the Educational and Scientific Program "Primary education with in-depth study of the English language" shared their impressions of the lecture.

“The lecture was very informative. We learned the importance of making emotional contact with a child with mutism. As future teachers, we should be able to organize the educational process, involve such children, avoid criticism and evaluation of their silence. Only when the child is calm and confident, does not feel pressure, it is possible to improve the situation and the appearance of verbal communication,

“I think that today's lecture really revealed an important question: how to work with the children with mutism, how to find a holistic approach, a connection with them”,

By the way, during the meeting, Eva Škorvagová presented her book Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Mutism or the Wonderful World of Silence, a copy of which is already in the Scientific Library of Ostroh Academy.

Ukrainian version of article here: https://www.oa.edu.ua/ua/info/news/2022/31-10-03