3/2008 - Present
Executive Director
Center for the Developing Mind​
LOS ANGELES, CA
3/1999 - Present
Private Practice
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
3/2004 - 8/2005
Supervisor
Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center
LOS ANGELES, CA
7/1996 - 6/1998
Post-Doctoral Fellow/Registered Psychologist
Reiss-Davis Child Study Center
LOS ANGELES, CA
1/1992 - 3/1999
Psychological Assistant
Dr. Margaret Toomin
SANTA MONICA, CA
6/1997 - Present
Co-founder In association with Dr. Jose Lopez
The Healthy Divorce Clinic​
SANTA MONICA, CA
1/1990 - 12/1991
Psychological Assistant
Dr. Peter Zucker
SANTA MONICA, CA
10/1982 - 12/1989
Psychological Assistant
Dr. Elaine Karr
LOS ANGELES, CA
10/1982 - 2/1987
School Counselor
Hillel Hebrew Academ
BEVERLY HILLS, CA
6/1983 - 9/1983
6/1984 - 9/1984
Staff Therapist
Los Angels Free Clinic​
LOS ANGELES, CA
5/1982 - 10/1982
Staff Therapist
Chabad Drug Rehabilitation Center
LOS ANGELES, CA
4/1994 - Present
Senior Clinician/Floor Time Interventionist
D.I.R/Floor Time Certification: April 2006
Dr. Stanley Greenspan​
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
11/2011 - Present
UCLA/Hebrew University/Tel-Aviv University: Study to look at the feelings of neuro-typically developing siblings who have brothers and sisters with autism spectrum disorder and contrast them with the feelings of neuro-typically developing siblings who have brothers and sisters with Down Syndrome.
4/1989 - 12/1991
Research Assistant for Dr. Susan Smalley
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute
LOS ANGELES, CA
6/1987 - 12/1991
Research Assistant for Dr. Walid Shekim
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute
LOS ANGELES, CA
2/1987 - 12/1991
Research Assistant for Drs. Dennis Cantwell, Michael Strober and Walid Shekim
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute
LOS ANGELES, CA
6/1978 - 5/1980
Research Assistant for Dr. Leon Cytryn
National Institute of Mental Health
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
6/1978 - 5/1980
Research Assistant for Dr. Donald McKnew
Children's Hospital of Washington, D.C.​
WASHINGTON, D.C.
11/2022
Expressive Therapies, New York, NY
7/2022
Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Montecito, CA
1/2022
Valley Beth Shalom, Encino, CA
12/2021
Nefesh Frum Therapists Network, NYC., NY
11/2021
Expressive Therapies, Atlantic City, New Jersey
11/2021
Nefesh Frum Therapists Network, NYC, NY
7/2021
Nefesh Frum Therapists Network, NYC, NY
6/2021
Milestones Autism Research Conference, Cleveland, Ohio
6/2021
Mid-Atlantic Play Therapy Association, Baltimore, Md
11/2020
CHADD International Conference
3/2020
Spivak Educational Center, Los Angeles, CA
2/2020
CHADD, Los Angeles, CA
2/2020
Spivak Educational Center, Los Angeles, CA
8/2019
Mogen David Academy, Los Angeles, CA
2/2018
Supportive Therapies, Queens, NY
2/2018
Western Connecticut College, Danbury, CT
01/2017
Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA
06/2014
Yachad Adult Service Division, Los Angeles, California
05/2014
Department of Mental Health, State of Nevada, Henderson, Nevada
03/2012
Northern California Regional Play Therapy Conference, LIVERMORE, CA
03/2012
Summit Educational Series
OMAHA, NE, DES MOINES, NE, DAVENPORT, IA
02/2012
Summit Educational Series
PHOENIX, AZ, TUCSON, AZ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
02/2012
Summit Educational Series
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL, FT. MYERS, FL, TAMPA, FL
10/2011-11/2011
Summit Educational Series
DULUTH, MN, ST. CLOUD. MN, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
09/2011
Summit Educational Series
MILWAUKEE, WI, GREEN BAY, WI, MADISON, WI
03/2011
Summit Educational Series, NEW ORLEANS, LA, JACKSON, MS, BATON ROUGE, LA
02/2011
Summit Educational Series, AUSTIN, TX, SAN ANTONIO, TX, HOUSTON, TX
02/2011
University of California, SAN DIEGO, CA
01/2011
Summit Educational Series, ALEXANDRIA, VA, TOWNSON, MD, GLEN BURNIE MD
01/2011
Summit Educational Series, DENVER, CO, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, LAS VEGAS, NV
01/2011
University of California, SAN DIEGO, CA
12/2010
Summit Educational Series, CLEVELAND, OH, AKRON, OH, DAYTON, OH, COLUMBUS, OH
11/2010
Summit Educational Series, ST. LOUIS, MO, KANSAS CITY, MO, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
11/2010
Summit Educational Series, SACRAMENTO, CA, SAN JOSE, CA, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
10/2010
Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders
10/2010
Summit Educational Series, BLOOMINGTON, IL, NAPERVILLE, IL, SCHAUMBERG, IL
10/2010
Summit Educational Series, LONG BRANCH, NJ, PARSIPPANY, NJ, SADDLE BROOK, NJ
09/2010
California Disability Services Association, LOS ANGELES, CA
09/2010
Summit Educational Series, SAN DIEGO, CA, ANAHEIM, CA, BURBANK, CA
08/2010
Los Angeles Aspergers Support Group, LOS ANGELES, CA
07/2010
Summit Educational Series, MIDDLETON, WI, MILWAUKEE, WI
07/2010
Summit Educational Series, CHICAGO, IL, ROCKFORD, IL
06/2010
Summit Educational Series, PHILADELPHIA, PA, ALLENTOWN, PA, HARRISBURG, PA
05/2010
Summit Educational Series, TUCSON, AZ, PHOENIX, AZ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
05/2010
Summit Educational Series, HOUSTON, TX, AUSTIN, TX, SAN ANTONIO, TX
05/2010
Vista Del Mar, Los Angeles, CA
02/2010
Summit Educational Series, CRESCENT CITY, CA
01/2010
Summit Educational Series, RALEIGH, NC, WINSTON-SALEM, CA, CHARLOTTE, NC
01/2010
CHADD, LOS ANGELES, CA
01/2010
Summit Educational Series, FORT MYERS, FL, TAMPA, FL, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
12/2009
Mothers Against Autism, WEBINAR INTERVIEW
12/2009
Selective Mutism Group ONLINE EXPERT CHAT
12/2009
Selective Mutism Group
TELECONFERENCE PROFESSIONAL CHAT
12/2009
Summit Educational Series, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, DENVER, CO, COLORADO SPRINGS CO
11/2009
Summit Educational Series, HONOLULU, HI, HILO, HI
10/2009
Summit Educational Series, SACRAMENTO, CA, SAN JOSE, CA, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
10/2009
Association for Play Therapy National Conference, ATLANTA, GA
09/2009
Summit Educational Series, SAN DIEGO, CA, ANAHEIM, CA, BURBANK, CA
09/2009
Sunshine Preschool, LOS ANGELES, CA
08/2009
American Psychological Association, TORONTO, CANADA
06/2009 -
07/2009
Summit Educational Series, BELLINGHAM, WA, SEATTLE, WA, PORTLAND OR, COLUMBUS, OH, DAYTON, OH, CINCINNATI, OH, MEMPHIS, OH, NASHVILLE, TN, LOUISVILLE, KY
06/2009
Los Angeles Psychological Association, Special Interest Group Child and Adolescent Psychology, LOS ANGELES, CA
06/2009
Montessori School, LOS ANGELES, CA
05/2009
Pepperdine University Montessori School, MALIBU, CA
05/2009
St. John's Medical Center, SANTA MONICA, CA
03/2009
Southern California Regional Play Therapy Association
03/2009
Summit Educational Series, LOS ANGELES, CA, ALBUQUERQE, NM, TUCSON AZ,
PHOENIZ, AZ
03/2009
Mt. Washington Elementary School LOS ANGELES, CA
02/2009
Autism Society of Ottawa ONTARIO, CA
01/2009
University of San Diego SAN DIEGO, CA
7/2008
Autism Association of America ORLANDO, FL
5/2008
Woodland Hills Torah Community - "An Introduction For Families To Floor Time; A Developmental Approach To The Treatment Of Autism"
WOODLAND HILLS, CA
2/2008
Moderator: Interview with Dr. Norman Doidge; "The Brain that Changes Itself"
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA
10/2007
American Psychotherapy National Conference
6/2007
Southern California Regional Play Therapy Association
5/2007
Los Angeles Unified School District, LOS ANGELES, CA
5/2006
Lorimar Continuing Education Series LOS ANGELES, CA
4/2006
Selective Mutism Chat Room ONLINE
4/2006
Parent Support Group, LOS ANGELES, CA
2/2006
Chabad LOS ANGELES, CA
11/2005
Sunshine Preschool, LOS ANGELES, CA
12/2005
Yachaad LOS ANGELES, CA
11/2005
Pepperdine University MALIBU, CA
11/2005
California Family Law Association SAN FRANCISCO, CA
6/2005
Verdugo Hills Autism Project, ENCINO, CA
7/2005 &
05/2006
Hollywood School House
HOLLYWOOD, CA
5/2005
Pepperdine University, CULVER CITY, CA
5/2005
University of Southern California San Diego/Extension, LA JOLLA, CA
3/2005
Los Angeles Chapter of the American Psychological Association, ENCINO, CA
3/2005
Board of Education
Expert Witness re: Implementation of the DIR model within a public school setting
YUCAIPA, CA
3/2004
Foothill Autism Alliance BURBANK, CA
3/2004
Los Angeles United School District LOS ANGELES, CA
11/2003
Autism Alliance of America PASADENA, CA
1/2002
Naomi Heller and Associates LOS ANGELES, CA
11/2001
3/2002
10/2002
9/2003
10/2003
Santa Monica City College SANTA MONICA, CA
10/2001
Garden of Angels SANTA MONICA, CA
4/2000
11/2000
5/2002
Brentwood Presbyterian Nursery School
BRENTWOOD, CA
1/2000 4/2000
Association of Speech and Occupational Therapists CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
7/2022
Nefesh Frum Therapist Network, Los Angeles, CA
6/2022
Kona Community Hospital, Kona, Hawaii
4/2022
CHADD, Los Angeles, CA
2/2022
Spivak Educational Center, Los Angeles, CA
6/2021
Podcast, Selective Mutism Association, Los Angeles, CA
4/2021
Expressive Therapies, Los Angeles, CA
2/2021
Kids Play House, Los Angeles, CA
11/2020
Expressive Therapies, New York City, NY
6/2020
Milestones Autism Resources Conference, Cleveland, OH
6/2020
Spivak Educational Center, Los Angeles, CA
5/2020
Spivak Educational Center, Los Angeles, CA
4/2020
Spivak Educational Center, Los Angeles, CA
4/2020
Expressive Therapies, New York, NY
4/2020
Beth Jacob Congregation, Beverly Hills, CA
3/2020
Beth Jacob Congregation, Beverly Hills, CA
3/2020
Ogden Manor Home Care, Los Angeles, CA
1/2020
St. John’s Medical Center, Jackson Hole, WY
11/2019
Hillel Hebrew Academy, Los Angeles, CA
6/2019
Milestones National Autism Conference, Cleveland, OH
3/2019
Senate Office of Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Washington, D.C.
3/2019
Senate Office of Senator Roger Wicker, Washington, D.C.
3/2019
Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA
2/2019
St. John’s University, Department of Nursing, Dodoma City, Tanzania
11/2018
Emek Hebrew Academy, Valley Village, CA
11/2018
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, CA
10/2018
Western Connecticut University, Danbury, CT
10/2018
Supportive Therapies, Queens, NY
6/2018
Los Angeles Chapter of the Marriage and Family Therapy Association, Torrance, CA
4/2018
Frum Therapist Association, Los Angeles, CA
4/2018
Webinar, Shanghai, China
3/2018
Notre Dame Academy, Los Angeles, CA
3/2018
Office of Senator Feinstein, Washington, D.C.
3/2018
Office of Senator Sabetow, Washington, D.C.
2/2018
Office of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Washington, D.C.
11/2017
UCSD, La Jolla, CA
10/2017
UCSD, La Jolla, CA
10/2017
Association of Play Therapy Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN
08/2017
American Psychological Association, Washington D.C.
07/2017
World Congress of Psychotherapy, Paris, France
06/2017
International Play Therapy Association, Hampshire, England
05/2017
British Columbia Play Therapy Association
03/2017
Expressive Therapies Summit, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
03/2017
Congressional Office of Congressman Brad Schneider, Washington, D.C.
03/2017
Notre Dame High School, Los Angeles, CA
02/2017
KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
02/2017
Olive Tree Child Development Center, Singapore
11/2016
Expressive Therapies Summit, New York, NY
11/2016
United Nations, New York City, NY
10/2016
Selective Mutism Group Conference, Expert Panel, Manhattan Beach, CA
09/2016
Beth Jacob Congregation, Beverly Hills, CA
05/2016
Red Cross Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
05/2016
Autism Speaks Expert Panel, Los Angeles, CA
04/2016
Shalhevet High School, Los Angeles, CA
03/2016
Capitol Hill office of Senator Casey, Congressmen Engle, Smith, Sires, Schneider, Engels, & Meadows, Washington, DC
01/2016
Play Therapy Association of Bangkok, Thailand
01/2016
Play Therapy Association of Hong Kong
01/2016
Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA
12/2015
Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA
11/2015
Circle of Friends, Santa Monica, CA,
10/2015
Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
09/2015
9th Annual Conference on Global Disabilities, Columbia, South Carolina, September
08/2015
27th Annual American Psychological Association Conference, Toronto, Canada,
08/2015
Friendship Circle, Los Angeles, CA
07/2015
6th Annual Conference of Child Disabilities, Tel Aviv, Israel July
06/2015
University of California San Deigo, La Jolla, CA
05/2015
University of California San Deigo, La Jolla, CA
03/2015
Under the Oaks Preschool, Malibu, CA
01/2015
Play Therapy Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
11/2014
Learning Made Easy Talk Radio
10/2014
Parent Specialist Group on Bullying and the Special Needs Child, Westwood, California
09/2014
Woman of Achievement for the National Association of Professional Women, Los Angeles, California
04/2014
Southern California Regional Play Therapy Association, Orange, CA​
04/2014
Expert Chat, Selective Mutism Group
03/2014
Expert Chat, Selective Mutism Group
03/2014
Autism Speaks, Los Angeles, California
03/2014
Northern California Regional Play Therapy Association, Livermore, California
02/2014
Jewish Community Center of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
02/2014
Beth Sholom Congregation, Potomac, Maryland
02/2014
Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
02/2014
Autism Society of Israel, Jerusalem, Israel
02/2014
Sulam Learning Center, Jerusalem, Israel
01/2014
Tel Hashomer Hospital, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
07/2013
University of Northern Texas
06/2013
Play Therapy Association, Virginia, Shenandoah Valley
03/2013
Play Therapy Association, Northern California
05/2013
Play Therapy Association, Southern California
04/2013
University of Hawaii, Honolulu
02/2013
Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Special Interest Group, Los Angeles, CA
01-02/2013
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
01-02/2013
Cruise CEUs, Western Caribbean
12/2012
Tel HaShomer Hospital, Tel Aviv, Israel
1/2013
Center for Early Childhood Development, Los Angeles, CA
12/2012
Hadassah Hospital-Eon Kareem, Jerusalem, Israel
12/2012
Third World Congress for Child Chronic Disorders and Developmental Disabilities
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL
11/2012
ICDL 12th Annual Conference, Montclair University, Montclair, NJ
​11/2012
Pathways Speech and Language, Los Angeles, CA
10/2012
Family Resource Counseling Center, Los Angeles, CA
10/2012
International Play Therapy Association, CLEVELAND, OH
08/2012
Center for the Developing Mind, Los Angeles, CA
08/2012
Chesapeake Bay Play Therapy Association, WASHINGTON, D.C.
05/2012
Southern California Regional Play Therapy Conference, ORANGE, CA
04/2012
Chesapeake Bay Play Therapy Association, WASHINGTON, D.C.
03/2012
Summit Educational Series
Kansas City, KS, Colombia, MO, ST. LOUIS, MO
01/2012
Summit Educational Series
SACRAMENTO, CA, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, SAN JOSE, CA
12/2011
Summit Educational Series
NASHVILLE, TN, KNOXVILLE, TN, JOHNSON CITY, TN
​11/2011
Summit Educational Series
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, TULSA, OK, DALLAS, TX
11/2011
Summit Educational Series
PEORIA, IL, JOLIET, IL, SCHAUMBERG, IL
09/2011
Summit Educational Series
HARTFORD, CT, PROVIDENCE, RI, BOSTON, MA
05/2011
Summit Educational Series
GRAND RAPID, MI, LANSING, MI, DETROIT, MI
05/2011
Vista Del Mar, LOS ANGELES, CA
05/2011
Summit Educational Series, JACKSONVILLE, FL, GAINSVILLE, FL, ORLANDO, FL
05/2011
Summit Educational Series, ATLANTA, GA, BIRMINGHAM, AL, MONTGOMERY, AL
04/2011
Los Angeles County Psychological Association, LOS ANGELES, CA
04/2011
Summit Educational Series, SPOKANE, WA, SEATTLE, WA, PORTLAND, OR
03/2011
Summit Educational Series, NEW YORK CITY, NY, ISLIP, NY, HEMPSTEAD, NY
03/2011
Summit Educational Series, BUFFALO, NY, ROCHESTER, NY, SYRACUSE, NY
04/2010
Summit Educational Series, DALLAS, TX, FORT WORTH, TX
04/2010
Summit Educational Series, TULSA, OK, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
04/2010
Summit Educational Series,SEATTLE, WA, TACOMA, WA
04/2010
Summit Educational Series, LOS ANGELES, CA
04/2010
Miller Educational Excellence, LOS ANGELES, CA
03/2010
Summit Educational Series, NEW YORK, NY, WHITE PLAINS, NY, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY
03/2010
Summit Educational Series, ANCHORAGE, AK, FAIRBANKS, AK
12/2008
Orthodox Union Young Couple's Association LOS ANGELES, CA
12/2008
Mount Washington Elementary School LOS ANGELES, CA
12/2008
Yachad Group for Special Needs Teens, LOS ANGELES, CA
10/2008
International Play Therapy Association DALLAS, TX
4/2008
Valley Beth Shalom, ENCINO, CA
3/2008
Le Lycee Francois
3/2008
Southern California Regional Play Therapy Association
5/2007
St. Ann's School for Young Women
4/2007
University of California SAN DIEGO, CA
03/2007
Long Beach High School, LONG BEACH, CA
03/2007
Hollywood School House, LOS ANGELES, CA
02/2007
KinderCare/Occupational Therapy Group SANTA MONICA, CA
01/2007
Childhood Anxiety Network, LOS ANGELES, CA
12/2006
Yachaad, LOS ANGELES, CA
12/2006
Pepperdine University, Culver City Campus, CULVER CITY, CA
3/2005
Interviewed on Autism One INTERNET RADIO PROGRAM
2/2005
Eisner Pediatric Center LOS ANGELES, CA
2/2005
Temple Aliyah WOODLAND HILLS, CA
2/2005
The Orthodox Union BRENTWOOD, CA
2/2005
Temple Beth Shalom ENCINO, CA
10/2004
Big Fun Therapeutic Gymnastic Facility CULVER CITY, CA
8/2004
Hollywood School House HOLLYWOOD, CA
1/2004
Early Child Intervention Center EAST ORANGE, NJ
2/2004
House Ear Clinic LOS ANGELES, CA
10/2003
Reiss-Davis Child Study Center LOS ANGELES, CA
9/2003
United Autism Alliance PASADENA, CA
6/2003 - 9/2003
SAR Academy RIVERDALE, NY
8/2003
Hollywood School House HOLLYWOOD, CA
6/2003
Play Therapists Association of Southern California SAN DIEGO, CA
6/2003
5/2005
UCSD Extension
Floor Time model of play intervention with special needs children
8/2005-
Present
UCLA Medical Staff
Clinical Staff
LOS ANGELES, CA
06/2003, 05/2005, 04/2007, 01/2009, 01/2011, 02/2011, 01/2013, 02/2013, 05/2015, 06/2015
UCSD Extension:
DIR/Floor Time model of play intervention with special needs children
7/1998-
Present
Ryokan College
Instructor in Master’s and Psy.D. Programs
LOS ANGELES, CA
Psychology License, State of California, March 1999, PSY #16090
Graduate
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Awarded Degree: June 1996
Class Rank: Top 2%
Dissertation Title: Narcissistic mothers as a risk factor in the development of borderline personality disorder in their offspring.
The California Graduate Institute,
Los Angeles, California
Masters Degree in Psychology
Class Rank: Top 5%
Masters Thesis: The impact of cystic fibrosis on the bonding between mother and child.
Catholic University
Washington, D.C.
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts
Magna Cum Laude
Class Rank: Top 5%
Yeshiva University
New York, New York
Hess, Esther: Introduction to Floor/Time: A Developmental/Relational Approach to the Treatment of Autism. In: Southern California Regional Play Therapy Association Newsletter, January, 2009Hess, E.B.: Narcissistic Mothers as a Risk Factor in the Development of Borderline Personality Disorder in their Offspring, 1996.
Shekim, W.O., Cantwell, D.P., Hess, E.: Blood Cell Monoamine Receptor Activity in Adolescents with Affective Disorders. Sci Pro American Academy Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35th Annual Meeting, 1988, p.64.
Shekim, W.O. Antun F., Hess, E.B.: S-adenosyl-l-methonine (SAM) in adults with ADHD, RS. Results from an open trial. Psychopharm Bul., September 1988.
Guest Editor May/June 2004, Los Angles Psychologist
Hess, E.B.: Helping Families with the Challenges of Raising a Special Needs Child, in Los Angeles Psychologist, May/June 2004.
Hess, E.B.: Clinical Support Necessary When Supporting Parents Through the Diagnosis of Autism in their Child”, in American Play Therapist Newsletter, Dec/2004.
Hess, E.B.: "Floor Time: An Intervention with Children Impacted with Developmental Delays”, in American Play Therapist Newsletter, September 2005.
Hess, Esther: “Introduction to Floor/Time: A Developmental/Relational Approach to the Treatment of Autism”. In: Southern California Regional Play Therapy Association Newsletter, January, 2009
Hess, Esther B.: “Mining Report: Best Practices in Autism”. Association for Play Therapy, April, 2009.
Monthly columnist for Family Magazine as “Ask the Developmental Doctor: Dr. Esther Hess”, as of July 2009 to present.
‘Ask the Expert’, Guest columnist for American Play Therapy Journal, March 2010.
Hess, Esther B.: “DIR/Floor Time and Early Onset Bipolar Patterns in Children”. In Play Therapy Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 3, September, 2010.
Hess, Esther B.: “DIR/Floor Time: A Developmental-Relational Approach towards Play Therapy in Children Impacted by Autism” in Gallo-Lopez, L. and Rubin, L. (eds.): Play-Based Intervention for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Rutledge, Taylor and Francis Publishing, January, 2012.
Hess, Esther B.: “Clinical Implications of the Timing of Intervention for Children Impacted by Selective Mutism in First Generation Asian-Americans” Selective Mutism Group Newsletter, February 2012.
Hess, Esther B. Breaking down barriers. Helping Asian American parents seek play therapy for their children with selective mutism. Play Therapy Magazine, 2012;7(3)6-9.
Monthly columnist for SpecialNeeds.com as “As the Developmental Doc”: Dr. Esther Hess, as of February, 2012 to present.
Hess, Esther B. DIR®/Floortime™: Evidence based practice towards the treatment of autism and sensory processing disorder in children and adolescents. Int J Child Health Hum Dev 2013;6(3):00-00.
Fox News Blog: LA Parenting Experts Column, December 2012-present.
Monthly columnist for ExpertBeacon.com, October 2013-present.
Hess, Esther B.: “The DIR/Floor Time Model of Parent Training for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” in Kaduson, H. and Schaefer, C. (eds.): Short-Term Play Therapy for Children: Third Edition, The Guilford Press, June 2015
Hess, Esther B. Alfie: You and Me are Twins; The Life and Times of a Therapy Dog. Amazon Press, 2020.
​Hess, Esther B. Alfie Helps A Family with the Premature Death of a Parent: The Life and Times of a Therapy Dog. Amazon Press. 2022.
Shekim. W.O., Asarnow, R.F., Hess, E.: A clinical and demographic study of hyperactive adults. Presented at the 141st Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, Montreal, May 1988.
Hess, E.B.: “I Look at Life from Both Sides Now”, in TAPS Magazine, March 2006
Hess, E.B.: “Why Is It So Hard To Say ‘No’ to Our Children with Special Needs”, In TAPS Magazine, June 2007
Hess, Esther: “Play Therapy with a 4 Year Old Girl Impacted with Selective Mutism”, In: Play Therapy Magazine, December 2008
Hess, Esther: “Introduction to Floor/Time: A Developmental/Relational Approach to the Treatment of Autism”. In: Play Therapy Magazine, March, 2009. Reprinted with permission from the Southern California Regional Play Therapy Association.
Hess, Esther B.: “DIR/Floortime: A Developmental/Relational Play Therapy Approach Toward the Treatment of Children with Developmental Delays, Including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Sensory Processing Challenges” in O’Conner, K.J., Schaefer, C.E., and Braverman, L.D. (eds.): Handbook of Play Therapy: Second Edition, Wiley Press, 2016.
Hess, Esther: “DIR/Floortime: A Developmental/Relational Play Therapy Model in the Treatment of Infants and Toddlers Exhibiting the Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder” in Courtney, J., (ed.): Infant Play Therapy Foundations, Models, Programs and Practice, Routledge Press, 2020.
Monthly columnist for ParentingAutism.com, June 2015-present
Training Professional ICDL, March 2012
Member Los Angeles Parenting Association, October 2010
Member of WOSEP (women’s organization of special education professionals), November 2009.
Joined the board of directors for Autism Speaks, November 2009
Joined North Los Angeles County Task force of the California Senate on Autism and Related Disabilities, October 2009
Board member Childhood Anxiety Network, January 2009
Diplomat in Counseling, March 2007
Founding board member Switzer School; Autism Spectrum Disorder Division, Torrance, California, January 2006
Diplomat in Clinical Psychotherapy, August 2005
Diplomat in Child and Adolescent Psychology, September 2004
Member: Interdisciplinary Counsel for infancy and early childhood development. Dr. Stanley Greenspan, founder, 1998.
Associate member of the American Psychological Association, 1988
Board member of Nefesh. National Organization of Orthodox Mental Health Workers, February 1997
Available on Request.