Ashley MacPherson

Ashley MacPherson, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Health Service Psychology and Clinical Psychology at the University of Houston-Clear Lake's College of Human Sciences and Humanities. She earned her doctorate in counseling psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed her doctoral internship at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Research Interests: Dr. MacPherson investigates women’s mental and physical health during developmental transitions like pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Her work prioritizes:

• Identifying challenges and strengths in transitional health
• Informing intervention and prevention strategies
• Examining how intersectional identities shape lived experiences

Clinical Expertise: She specializes in evidence-based interventions such as CBT, ACT, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure therapy, with a focus on trauma, health psychology, and care for veterans, women, and LGBTQ+ populations.

Mentoring: Dr. MacPherson mentors students in Clinical Psychology master’s and Health Service Psychology doctoral programs using a developmental model tailored to individual needs and strengths. She is establishing an active research lab accepting doctoral students from 2024-2025.