Esther B. Hess, Ph.D. is a licensed developmental psychologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience. Dr Hess specializes in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children with developmental delays and/or regulatory disorders including autism utilizing the developmental/relational method known as DIR®/Floortime™.
Dr. Hess is the founder and executive director of Center for the Developing Mind, a state of the art multidisciplinary treatment facility for children, adolescents and their families impacted by developmental delays, regulatory disorders, autistic spectrum disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, pervasive developmental disorder NOS, and non-verbal learning disabilities. She promotes and provides psychoeducational support for the healthy siblings of the child (children) and to the parents in the form of individual, couple and group therapy.
Dr. Hess is a certified DIR®/Floortime™ interventionist and has given more than 50 presentations on this clinical technique including to the Association of Speech and Occupational Therapists, the Autism Alliance of America and the American Psychotherapy National Conference. She is a board certified diplomat in counseling, clinical psychotherapy and child and adolescent psychology. Dr. Hess serves on the clinical staff at UCLA Medical School and teaches graduate students at Ryokan College. She received her Ph.D. from The California Graduate Institute and her MA from Catholic University. Dr. Hess is an associate member of the American Psychological Association, a member of the California Psychological Association, a board member of the Childhood Anxiety Network, and a founding board member Switzer School – Autism Spectrum Disorder Division.
