ABOUT ME
Dr. Melissa Giglio, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in childhood anxiety and selective mutism. She is the director of the Central Health Partners Child Development Team in Hong Kong and provides psychological assessment, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family support, and school-based consultation.
Credentials & Professional Role
Professional title: Clinical Psychologist, PsyD.
Doctorate: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey.
Master's degree: Clinical Psychology, The New School, 2003.
Current/recent role: Director, Central Health Partners Child Development Team, Hong Kong. The clinic's current team page continues to list her as Clinical Psychologist, PsyD
Professional affiliations: American Psychological Association; Anxiety and Depression Association of America; Selective Mutism Association; PCIT International. The Selective Mutism Association profile additionally lists the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and Hong Kong Psychological Society.
SELECTIVE MUTISM EXPERTISE
Dr. Giglio reports more than 15 years of experience working with childhood disorders, including selective mutism and anxiety disorders. Her work includes CBT, psychological assessment, school observation, teacher training, and development of interventions in schools. She created Confident Crew, an intensive therapy program for children with selective mutism and social anxiety, in 2016.
Her current Maine program also describes parent training through guided parent-child interactions and individualized treatment planning.
OTHER AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Verified areas listed by her professional profiles include:
Anxiety disorders
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
ADHD
Autism spectrum disorders
Social skills support
Executive functioning support
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
WHO SHE WORKS WITH
Her professional profiles describe work with children and their families, as well as schools and teachers. Her selective-mutism programs have served young children; Confident Crew materials currently describe eligibility generally as ages 3–12, although specific program offerings may differ by location and year.
WHERE SHE WORKS / SERVICES
Hong Kong: Central Health Partners Child Development Team, One Island South, Wong Chuk Hang.
United States: Maine Child Therapy Center currently identifies Dr. Giglio as its director and operates in Maine.
Service format: The Selective Mutism Association profile lists in-person and telehealth services.
LICENSING
Licenses in:
The Selective Mutism Association profile lists licenses in CT, FL, GA, IL, ME, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, PA, TN, TX and Hong Kong.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dr. Giglio's professional profile describes more than 15 years of experience treating childhood disorders, including selective mutism, anxiety, ADHD, ODD, and autism spectrum disorders. She developed Confident Crew in 2016 and has presented on selective mutism and related clinical topics, including at the Selective Mutism Association's 2023 conference.
Her current professional biography says that her specialization in selective mutism developed during training with Dr. Steven Kurtz, who specializes in ADHD and selective mutism.
TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
Verified specialized training/credentials include:
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology — Rutgers University.
Master's in Clinical Psychology — The New School.
Trained cognitive-behavioral/behavior therapist.
PCIT-SM certified therapist and Regional Trainer — Kurtz Psychology's current PCIT-SM directory marks Melissa Ortega Giglio, PsyD with the regional-trainer designation.
PCIT International membership is reported by the professional profiles.
A LinkedIn professional profile reports SPACE training (2024) and PCIT Within Agency Trainer certification (2015); these should be independently confirmed before being presented as current certifications.
Books, Programs, Publications & Interviews
Grows
Bravery Grows
A Story for All Children, Including Those with Anxiety or Selective Mutism
(Book • Co-author, 2025)
Grows
Journal
The Bravery Grows Journal & Workbook
Workbook • Co-created with Daisy Geddes
Ages 4–12
Crew
Confident Crew
Program • Creator/Director
Established 2016
Confident Crew Collective
Community • Skool Platform
with Daisy Geddes
to Build Bravery
The Utilisation of Groups to Build Bravery
Conference • 2023
Selective Mutism and Bravery Grows
Podcast • Dec. 30, 2025
Selective Mutism: How to Spot It, Support Your Child, and Find Evidence-Based Help
Podcast • June 1, 2026
Why Families Work With Dr. Giglio
Dr. Giglio's approach combines CBT and behavioral approaches with individualized assessment, parent involvement, and collaboration with schools. Her professional work includes selective-mutism-specific treatment, PCIT-SM, school observations, teacher training, and the Confident Crew intensive program.
Specialized Expertise
Deep experience with selective mutism, anxiety, ADHD, ODD and more.
Evidence-Based Care
CBT and behavioral approaches tailored to each child.
Family Involvement
Parents and caregivers are key partners in the process.
School Collaboration
Consultation, observation and teacher training.
Practical Bravery
Real-world skills, confidence and participation across settings.
