About Dr. Elaine Hess
Founder of Houston Health Psychology, Dr. Hess is a licensed psychologist who brings nearly two decades of experience helping people overcome challenges and enhance their health and wellbeing. She is an expert in mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral approaches to treatment.
After receiving a doctorate from The University of Texas at Austin, she pursued advanced fellowship training in palliative care and psycho-oncology at the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System. As a former faculty member in the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Hess brings a unique perspective to her practice. She also plays a pivotal role in supervising advanced doctoral-level students from the University of Houston. Additional education, clinical experience, training and research is detailed on LinkedIn.
Dr. Hess isn’t just a seasoned professional; she’s also a compassionate individual who understands these struggles firsthand. Having encountered persistent insomnia, navigated complex medical diagnoses, experienced peri- and post-partum issues, and faced the challenges of parenthood, she is passionate about helping others rediscover their true selves. She is dedicated to providing pragmatic solutions tailored to your unique circumstances while rooted in evidence-based practices.
Outside her practice, you’ll find Dr. Hess enjoying precious moments with her young family. Whether she’s baking in the kitchen or taking walks in her neighborhood, she understands the importance of maintaining balance in her own life.
About Zachary Ayers
Zachary Ayers is a fifth-year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. candidate at the University of Houston and a Licensed Psychological Associate. He earned his B.A. in Psychology and Business from the University of Rochester, where he captained the Men’s Varsity Basketball team, and holds master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology from The College at Brockport, State University of New York, and the University of Houston. He has trained at Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. His clinical work focuses on treating anxiety, stress, and depression while promoting well-being and functioning. In his spare time, he enjoys video games, live music, golf, and spending time with his dog, Kona.
About Abha Prasad
Abha Prasad is a fifth-year Counseling Psychology Ph.D. candidate at the University of Houston. Abha earned her MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India in 2008 and M.D. in psychiatry from Government Medical College, Kozhikode in 2012. Her work experience constitutes 1 year as a senior resident and later as a consultant psychiatrist at a private clinic where she worked for close to 3 years. Her research interests include decent work, meaningful work, access to decent work and meaningful work in marginalized communities, individuals of low socioeconomic status and individuals with chronic mental illnesses. Her clinical work focuses on treating anxiety, depression, OCD, with a strong emphasis in providing therapeutic services to individuals with severe mental health conditions, including psychotic disorders. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and reading books.
