Jennifer L. Ayres, Ph.D., ABPP, HSP
- In-Person in Central Austin | Telehealth Nationwide
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Based in Central Austin
In-Person & Virtual Care
Jennifer L. Ayres, Ph.D., ABPP, HSP
Start with a free phone call
At Still River, you’ll find a space where authenticity is welcomed, growth happens naturally, and self-compassion guides the journey.
I’m a licensed psychologist with more than 25 years of experience across hospitals, schools, and private practice. I earned my BA from Emory University (1995), my MS from the University of North Texas (1997), and my PhD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (2000).
My work blends evidence-based therapies, CBT, mindfulness, self‑compassion, solution-focused, family systems, dynamic theory, and trauma‑informed care, with a warm, collaborative style. I help adults, teens, and families move from overwhelm, grief, trauma, and ADHD impact toward clearer boundaries, steadier communication, and a life that aligns with their values.
This work matters to me professionally and personally. As a parent and an advocate for accessibility, I build care that’s relatable, inclusive, and actually usable outside the therapy room. I believe you’re the expert on your life. My role is to meet you without judgment, make space for the hard stuff, and offer realistic skills you can lean on when things get loud.
When I was nine, my family stopped at my dad’s alma mater on our way to the beach. I wandered into the bookstore and found a story about an educational psychologist helping a young trauma survivor. I read it cover to cover. Even then, I felt a quiet pull toward helping people heal and find steadier ground during hard times.
More than 25 years have passed since I finished graduate school, and my path has taken me in many directions. I’ve taught physicians about the mind-body connection, preschoolers about resilience, and adults about mindful self-compassion. I’ve created trauma programs for mothers in a shelter, resilience programs for children, and workshops for healthcare providers and community members. I’ve written blogs, book chapters, and journal articles, and I’ve shared my work at schools, conferences, and community events.
Each of these experiences, clinical work, teaching, writing, and learning, shapes how I show up in the therapy room. They keep me humble, curious, and deeply committed to the belief that healing is not something we do alone. It happens in connection, with compassion, and with someone who can help hold the story with you.
I’ve changed a lot since that fateful bookstore discovery many years ago. And some things have changed very little. I still love a good story. I still believe in people’s capacity to grow, heal, and live meaningful lives, even after painful chapters. And I still trust that the paths we’re meant to walk, and the people we’re meant to walk them with, tend to find us at the right time.