Full Name
Elaheh Ashtari, PsyD
Job Title
Assistant Professor
Company
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth McGovern Medical School
Speaker Bio
Dr. Elaheh Ashtari is a clinical and forensic psychologist and assistant professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth McGovern Medical School. She is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, the Director of Psychology Services at UTHealth Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC), and has been instrumental in promoting integration of LGBTQ+ best practices into healthcare service provision, education, and research at UTHealth. In 2020, she was appointed the inaugural Vice Chair for Diversity and Inclusion for psychiatry, and she chairs the Psychiatry Inclusion Council.
Ashtari graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with Honors from University of Houston. She went on to earn a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at Adler University in Chicago, Illinois. She completed her predoctoral internship at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department – Forensic Unit in Houston, Texas and completed a two-year forensic postdoctoral fellowship 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, personality disorders, as well as LGBTQ+ health disparities.
Additionally, Ashtari is involved in the department’s education mission and as a result of her education efforts and innovations, she was inducted into the Academy of Master Educators. She developed curriculum for medical students on LGBTQ+ healthcare, and is currently creating curriculum for faculty development. She also provides clinical supervision, lectures, and training to psychiatry residents, medical students, psychology predoctoral interns, and practicum student clinicians. She is a content expert in sexual and gender minority mental health and has conducted numerous speaking engagements to educate those in healthcare and beyond on matters affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, cooking, decorating, crafting, and spending quality time with her family, partner, and Chester, their newly adopted Yorkshire Terrier.
Ashtari graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with Honors from University of Houston. She went on to earn a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at Adler University in Chicago, Illinois. She completed her predoctoral internship at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department – Forensic Unit in Houston, Texas and completed a two-year forensic postdoctoral fellowship 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, personality disorders, as well as LGBTQ+ health disparities.
Additionally, Ashtari is involved in the department’s education mission and as a result of her education efforts and innovations, she was inducted into the Academy of Master Educators. She developed curriculum for medical students on LGBTQ+ healthcare, and is currently creating curriculum for faculty development. She also provides clinical supervision, lectures, and training to psychiatry residents, medical students, psychology predoctoral interns, and practicum student clinicians. She is a content expert in sexual and gender minority mental health and has conducted numerous speaking engagements to educate those in healthcare and beyond on matters affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, cooking, decorating, crafting, and spending quality time with her family, partner, and Chester, their newly adopted Yorkshire Terrier.
Speaking At
