Jennifer Ly, PhD, MA

Jennifer Ly is a psychologist who cares for children and adolescents. She has extensive training and experience in screening, assessing and treating neurodevelopmental delays, learning differences, and behavioral or emotional difficulties in young patients.

In the Hyperactivity, Attention and Learning Problems (HALP) Clinic, Ly specializes in care for youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders. She conducts diagnostic evaluations; consults with schools; and provides behavioral treatments, including individual parent management training, group skills training and family therapy. In the Muses Program, she offers individual therapy for youths ages 8 to 21, as well as parenting support and school consultation services.

Ly's research has focused on factors that improve life for children who are at increased risk for negative outcomes in their development. She has published numerous studies on how positive teacher-child relationships, parent involvement and increased school support can lead to better outcomes for youths from immigrant families.

Ly earned her doctorate in clinical science at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining UCSF, she specialized in caring for young children with complex trauma. She has trained at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA TIES for Families, a program that serves foster and adoptive children from birth to age 21 and their families.

As a health sciences associate professor, Ly has a variety of patient care, teaching and supervision responsibilities. As the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences health equity champion, she developed a training program to improve care for patients with limited English proficiency. In 2025, she received the UCSF Patient Experience Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award for contributions to medical education, patient care and program development.