Vanessa Ng, Ph.D.

Boston Child Study Center

Dr. Vanessa Ng is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at the Boston Child Study Center who specializes in working with children and adolescents with anxiety, with a particular passion for selective mutism (SM). She is deeply committed to helping children find their voices in ways that feel safe, supported, and developmentally appropriate.

Dr. Ng has extensive training in evidence-based treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), parent management training (PMT), dialectical behavior therapy for children (DBT-C) and adolescents (DBT-A), and parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT). She is a Certified PCIT Therapist and Within-Agency Trainer through PCIT International and has completed advanced training in adaptations of PCIT for anxiety (PCIT-CALM), selective mutism (PCIT-SM), and toddlers (PCIT-T). She is also trained in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), a caregiver-based treatment that empowers caregivers to respond to anxiety in ways that foster independence and bravery.

Selective mutism is a particular passion and area of expertise for Dr. Ng. She has co-led and trained clinicians in intensive group behavioral programs specifically for children with SM, including Camp C.H.A.T. at Hofstra University in New York and Confident Crew with Central Health Partners’ Child Development Team in Hong Kong. Her doctoral dissertation focused on evaluating SPACE as an effective treatment option for families impacted by selective mutism, reflecting her strong commitment to expanding accessible, evidence-based care for families. Dr. Ng also provides consultation and collaborates closely with schools to support implementation of classroom-based strategies and to promote consistency across settings.

Dr. Ng earned her BSc in Psychology (Applied) and MSc in Developmental Psychopathology from Durham University in the United Kingdom. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University in New York. Dr. Ng completed clinical training at NYU Langone Health Child Study Center (NYU CSC), NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Child Inpatient program, and her predoctoral internship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, Ohio), where she received specialized training in brief, intensive treatments for youth with complex emotional, behavioral, and co-occurring medical needs.

In her clinical work, Dr. Ng takes an inclusive, culturally responsive, and person-centered approach. She partners closely with parents, schools, and other providers to tailor treatment to each child's temperament, family and cultural context, strengths and goals. Above all, she strives to create a warm, encouraging environment where children feel understood and families feel empowered - working together, step by step, toward meaningful and lasting change.