Education Mario A. De La Garza Jr., Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC Counselor Education Program School of Education and Human Development University of Southern Maine Gorham, Maine 04064 (207) 780-5950 mdelagarza@usm.maine.edu 2013 Ph.D. Counseling (CACREP accredited) Dissertation Title: The Relationship of Counselor Education Applicants Cognitive Complexity to Other Admission Criteria 2003 M.S. Counseling (CACREP accredited) 1997 B.S. Biology Abilene Christian University Certifications/Licenses Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (2007) Texas Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (2013) National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. National Certified Counselor (2003) Honors & Awards Chi Sigma Iota, Rho Kappa Chapter Outstanding Practitioner Award April 9, 2010 Chi Sigma Iota International Counseling Honors Society Northern Metro Counseling Association Scholarship Recipient Dennis and Donna Engels Scholarship Recipient University Scholar Abilene Christian University Magna Cum Laude Abilene Christian University Special Professional Skills Fluent in Spanish Experience with Tk20 and Blackboard Learn system
Professional Experience Fall 2014 University of Southern Maine Assistant Professor of Counselor Education Emphasis in school counseling; teaching HCE 500: Orientation to the Counseling Profession and HCE 607: School Guidance Programs and Services Spring 2013-present Adjunct Instructor I taught COUN 5200: Counseling Adolescents & COUN 5790: Counseling Culturally Diverse Clients Clinical/Educational Counseling Experience 2006 present Denton Independent School District Student Assistance Counselor I have worked at Harpool Middle School since 2008. I worked at McMath Middle School from 2006 2008. I collaborate with academic counselors to assess the campus-wide counseling needs and develop a comprehensive developmental guidance program for the school. I work with campus administration to plan for and foster a positive school climate. I see students individually and in groups. I meet with and take referrals from school personnel to identify students in need of specific interventions to be successful in school. I train school staff members to identify and refer students who may be using drugs, self-injuring, involved in violent relationships, and suicidal. I meet with parents to discuss student issues and provide them with outside community resources when needed. I provide information to parents about pertinent topics their students may be facing (drugs, self-injury, peer-pressure, suicide, etc.). I have provided training to parents in Spanish. I developed a guidance curriculum called Project Aware to comply with state laws concerning topics that schools must address with students as well as other topics specific to campus needs. Project Aware lesson topics include bullying, problemsolving, decision-making, identifying influences, resisting pressures, drug awareness, addiction, diversity, internet safety, sexting, respectful relationships, relationship violence, coping skills, and suicide. I meet with students sent to and transitioning back from the district alternative education program (AEP) in order to facilitate a smooth transition and work towards success on a regular campus. 2001 2006 Denton High School, Communities in Schools of North Texas, Inc.
Campus Manager I case managed students identified as at-risk for dropping out of school. I provided services under six components: supportive guidance and counseling, health and human services, parental involvement, career awareness, educational enhancement, and enrichment. I met with key school personnel to assess the needs of the campus I served. I formulated and implemented a campus plan that was specific to the students and staff of Denton High School. I provided guidance and counseling services to students and their families. I made referrals to community agencies for health and human services. I coordinated a volunteer mentoring/tutoring program, provided individual educational assistance, and also brought community groups to the campus to provide enrichment activities for students. I served as coordinator of the campus Care Team. The Care Team included academic counselors, a diagnostician, the school nurse, a social worker, the school psychologist, the at-risk counselor, and several administrators. Referrals for academic, emotional, and behavioral issues were made to the Care Team, and we determined a plan of action for students referred. 2003 2004 Denton County Juvenile Detention Center Contract Counselor I provided counseling services to residents and their families. I met with incarcerated adolescents individually and also met with families for family counseling. I conducted experiential groups with both male and female sections of the facility. I facilitated a parenting class once a month to the Spanish-speaking parents of residents in the post-adjudication program. In this class, we discussed the family s role in helping the adolescent reintegrate into society as well as family roles to help adolescents live crime and drug free lives. 1999 2001 Campus 40, Denton Independent School District Long-Term Substitute Teacher I taught all core subjects: history, math, language arts, and science. Students ranged from age 10 to 17 in grades 5 through 12. I assessed academic competence when students arrived and formulated individual lesson plans for each student. I worked with other teachers and Denton County Juvenile Detention Center staff members to foster academic growth for incarcerated students. 2005 2007 Counseling Intern Child and Family Resource Clinic, I provided individual and group counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults. I provided family therapy.
I also conducted counseling intakes and provided parent consultations. 2004 2005 Counseling Practicum Intern Counseling and Human Development Center, University of North Texas I provided individual counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults. I counseled couples. I also conducted counseling intakes and provided parent consultations. 2005 Master s Process Group Facilitator Counseling and Human Development Center, University of North Texas I facilitated a 10 week master s level group experience for the clinical component of a group counseling course. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES Areas of Interest School Counseling Adolescent Counseling Adult Counseling Counseling Theories Existential Counseling Activity Therapy Grants Denton Public School Foundation Grant ($2,500.00) December 2013 Texas Counseling Association Educational Endowment Grant ($200.00) March 2013, College of Education Dissertation and Thesis Support Grant ($1000.00) November 2012 Publications De La Garza, M. A. (In preparation, data collected; constructing research report). The relationship of counselor education applicants cognitive complexity to other admission criteria. Ohrt, J. H., Webster, L. C., & De La Garza, M. A. (In preparation, data collected; constructing research report). Effects of a success skills group on adolescents self-regulation, self-esteem, and perceived learning competence. Instructor s Manual
De La Garza, M. A., Jr., Holden, J. M., Marquis, A., & Kantor, K. (2010) Instructor s Manual for Theoretical Models of Counseling and Psychotherapy (2 nd ed.) [password-protected online resource]. New York, NY: Routledge. Presentations De La Garza, M. A., & Soto-Leggett, M. E. (2013, November). TACES Presents Supervision in Schools: Complexities in Context. Presented at Texas Counseling Association 57 th Annual Professional Growth Conference, San Antonio, TX. Wilson, A., & De La Garza, M. A. (2012, January). Graduate student mixer: Getting involved & creating your professional identity. Presented at Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Mid-Winter Conference, Austin, TX. De La Garza, M. A. (2011, January). Supervising counselors delivering group guidance. Presented at Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Mid- Winter Conference, Austin, TX. De La Garza, M. A. (2008, November). Adolescents and spirituality: Seeking connection beyond oneself. Presented at Texas Counseling Association 52 nd Annual Professional Growth Conference, Houston, TX. Pease-Carter, C., & De La Garza, M. A. (2007, November). Teen sorrow: Meeting the unique needs of bereaved adolescents. Presented at Texas Counseling Association 51 st Annual Professional Growth Conference, Corpus Christi, TX. De La Garza, M. A. (2007, June). Counseling teens: A tough part of the trade. Presented at Northern Metro Counseling Association s Summer Workshop, Plano, TX. Kantor, K. R., Barrio, C. A., & De La Garza, M. A. (2007, February). Student, supervisee, or client? Untangling the web of dual relationships in counselor education programs. Presented at Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Midwinter Conference, Austin, TX. Kern, C. W., & De La Garza, M. A. (2005, March). Counseling adolescents creatively. Presented at Creativity in Counseling Conference, Denton, TX. TEACHING AND SUPERVISION EXPERIENCE Teaching Experience Spring 2014 Spring 2013 Instructor COUN 5200 Counseling Adolescents
I was fully responsible for instruction of this course. This course gave students an overview of adolescent development and introduced them to various methods and techniques they might utilize when working with this population. I also focused on a few specific populations that students might see: pregnant/parenting adolescents, self-injuring adolescents, LGBT adolescents, substance-abusing adolescents, incarcerated adolescents, and adolescents dealing with eating disorders. Students completed assignments that were structured to help them more fully identify their guiding theory of counseling and its application when working with adolescents, become more aware of their adolescent experiences and how these would impact their future work with clients, become familiar with a special population of adolescents of their own choosing, and begin interacting with and developing a comfort level with this population. I and a doctoral-level coinstructor were responsible for grading all assignments and student presentations. Fall 2013 Instructor COUN 5790 Counseling Culturally Diverse Clients I was fully responsible for instruction of this course. This course was designed to assist students in becoming more aware of their own cultural beliefs, values, and experiences. The content of the course also helped students become more aware of others culturally-linked experiences. Students began the process of learning how to deliver culturally-sensitive services to clients with whom they work. During the course, I facilitated discussions concerning privilege, power, and oppression. I challenged students to acknowledge and challenge any prejudices/stereotypes they might hold. I also asked them to become more aware of power differences, privilege, and oppression due to culture and how this affected clients worldview and functioning. A final goal of this course was to discuss and begin the journey of being a social justice advocate for clients. Spring 2008 Instructor COUN 5710 Counseling Theories I was fully responsible for instruction of this course. I lectured each week and formulated a quiz for each theory covered in the course. This class introduced beginning master s level counselors to classical psychoanalysis, Adlerian psychology, client-centered counseling, behavioral counseling, cognitive counseling, rational emotive behavioral therapy, reality therapy, existential therapy, systems approaches, and integral psychology. Another aspect of the course was an introduction to APA format. One of the goals of the course was for students to begin identifying their guiding theories of counseling. Several assignments were made for them to gain better self-understanding in order to begin the identification process. I also implemented mini case conceptualizations so students would begin applying the theoretical knowledge gained in the course. I was responsible for grading all quizzes, papers, and student presentations. Summer 2007 Invited Lecturer COUN 5200 Counseling Adolescents
Spring 2007 Invited Lecturer COUN 5710 Introduction to Counseling Theories Summer 2006 Teaching Assistant COUN 5600 Counseling in Secondary Schools I lectured during several class periods. I consulted with the professor of record concerning student performance and provided feedback concerning several writing assignments. Spring 2006 Teaching Assistant COUN 5680 Basic Counseling Skills I provided group supervision to small groups of students as we reviewed videotapes of their counseling sessions. I gave students feedback after viewing their live practice sessions. I also evaluated and consulted with the professor of record about student grades. I had the opportunity to lecture several times. Spring 2006 Invited Lecturer COUN 5200 Counseling Adolescents Fall 2005 Teaching Assistant COUN 5680 Basic Counseling Skills I provided group supervision to small groups of students as we reviewed videotapes of their counseling sessions. I gave students feedback after viewing their live practice sessions. I also evaluated and consulted with the professor of record about student grades. I had the opportunity to lecture several times. Supervision Experience Fall 2013 Site Supervisor I provided weekly supervision to a counseling student serving as an intern on my campus. I met with her individually for group supervision and also set up a weekly staffing of cases with other counseling staff members to meet her group supervision requirement. During these meetings, we discussed school policies and procedures, counseling strategies, clients she was seeing, guidance lessons she was providing, and legal and ethical aspects of working in a school setting. We also reviewed video-recorded individual sessions and guidance lessons. Summer 2008 Mini-practicum Supervisor COUN 5700 Introduction to Play Therapy I provided supervision to master s level students during their min-practicum experience in this introductory course. Students worked with child clients for approximately 30 minutes and were observed in the clinical setting. Immediately after the sessions, I provided group supervision to a small group of three students. Summer 2007 Supervisor COUN 5690 Master s Practicum
I provided weekly supervision to graduate students. Supervision included live supervision, triadic supervision, reviewing students video-recorded sessions and paperwork, and evaluations given to the professor of record. Fall 2006 Supervisor COUN 5690 Master s Practicum I provided weekly supervision to graduate students. Supervision included live supervision, triadic supervision, reviewing students video-recorded sessions and paperwork, and evaluations given to the professor of record. PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT AND SERVICE Professional Organizations Texas Counseling Association Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision American Counseling Association Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Chi Sigma Iota Service/Leadership Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Division Director July 2013 present Treasurer July 2012 June 2013 Emerging Leader July 2011 June 2012 Additional Training Darkness to Light Sexual Abuse Prevention Training presented by Denton County Children s Advocacy Center; February 15, 2010, Denton, TX Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training presented by Julie Stevens, LCDC; November 2009, Recovery Resource Council, Fort Worth, TX Bodily Harm: Strategies for Working with Students who Self-Injure presented by Wendy Lader, PhD; February 9, 2008, Denton, TX Engaging Hearts Through Guidance presented by Kelly Kozlowski, MEd; October 8, 2007, Denton, TX Responding to School Crises: An Integrated Multi-Component Crisis Intervention Approach presented by Kathy H. Thomas, PhD; January 27-28, 2005, Farmers Branch, TX
Self-Mutilation: Insights and Strategies for Helping Children & Adolescents presented by Kaye Randall, LMSW; January 7, 2005, Dallas, TX Creative Strategies for Working with ODD Children and Adolescents presented by Dr. Ron Miles; January 23, 2004, Irving, TX A Framework for Understanding Poverty presented by Ruby K. Payne, PhD; March 12, 2004, Carrollton, TX Juvenile Sex Offender Workshop presented by Gene Ross, LCSW, Judge Darlene Whitten, Lydia Rambo, and Randy Stout; January 20, 2004, Denton, TX Academic References Jan Holden, Ed.D., LPC-S, NCC Dee Ray, Ph.D., LPC, RPT-S Jonathan H. Ohrt, Ph.D. Professor, Counseling Program Program Chair, Counseling & Higher Education 940.565.2919 Jan.Holden@unt.edu Professor, Counseling Program Director, Child & Family Resource Clinic 940.565.2066 Dee.Ray@unt.edu Assistant Professor, Counseling Program 940.565.2842 Jonathan.Ohrt@unt.edu Professional References Amy Lawrence Casey A. Barrio Minton, Ph.D., NCC Larry Mankoff, LMSW Director of Counseling Services Denton Independent School District 940.369.0065 alawrence@dentonisd.org Associate Professor & Program Coordinator, Counseling Program 940.565.4945 Casey.Barrio@unt.edu Supervisor, Staff Assistance Programs
Denton Independent School District 940.369.0039 lmankoff@dentonisd.org Elsa Soto-Leggett, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S TACES Past-President ACAC President-Elect Counselor Education Program Coordinator University of Houston - Victoria 281.451.2380 melegett@me.com