Elaheh Ashtari, PsyD

Biography

Elaheh Ashtari, PsyD, joined McGovern Medical School in 2016 as an assistant professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2022. She is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist and is the Chief of Psychology Services at UTHealth- Dunn Behavioral Sciences Campus, where she oversees the operations of the inpatient psychology service. Additionally, she served in an inaugural Vice Chair role within the Department from 2020-2023. In her current role as the department’s Vice Chair for Culture and Engagement she trains staff and promotes service excellence and trauma informed care in patient services at the hospital, as well as improving clinical practice alignment with the department’s mission, vision and values.

Ashtari earned her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at Adler University in Chicago, Illinois, and completed her predoctoral internship at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department – Forensic Unit in Houston, Texas. She completed her forensic postdoctoral fellowship in at North Texas State Hospital in Vernon, TX. Ashtari has experience working with adolescents and adults in various settings including juvenile detention centers, adult probation, inpatient hospitals, private practice, and community mental health centers. Her clinical interests include malingering, forensic psychology and assessment, recidivism, dual diagnoses, trauma informed care, and personality disorders.

Additionally, Ashtari is involved in the department’s education mission. She provides clinical supervision and training to psychiatry residents, psychology predoctoral interns and practicum students rotating with the Psychology Service at UTHealth-HCPC. She teaches didactics on forensic evaluations, dialectical behavioral therapy, and effective clinical supervision.

In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, cooking, gardening, and spending quality time with loved ones.