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
Education
2013
Ph.D. Counseling (CACREP accredited)
Dissertation Title: The Relationship of Counselor Education
Applicants’ Cognitive Complexity to Other Admission Criteria
University of North Texas
2003
M.S. Counseling (CACREP accredited)
University of North Texas
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
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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
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University of North Texas
Adjunct Instructor
I taught COUN 5200: Counseling Adolescents & COUN 5790: Counseling
Culturally Diverse Clients
Clinical/Educational Counseling Experience
2006 – present
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Counseling Intern
Child and Family Resource Clinic, University of North Texas
I provided individual and group counseling services to children, adolescents, and
adults.
I provided family therapy.
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I also conducted counseling intakes and provided parent consultations.
2004 – 2005
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2005
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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.
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
University of North Texas, 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 (2nd 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 57th 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 MidWinter Conference, Austin, TX.
De La Garza, M. A. (2008, November). Adolescents and spirituality: Seeking
connection beyond oneself. Presented at Texas Counseling Association 52nd
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
51st 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 University of North Texas Creativity in Counseling Conference,
Denton, TX.
TEACHING AND SUPERVISION EXPERIENCE
Teaching Experience
Spring 2014
Spring 2013
Instructor
COUN 5200 Counseling Adolescents
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Professor, Counseling Program
Program Chair, Counseling & Higher
Education
University of North Texas
940.565.2919
Jan.Holden@unt.edu
Dee Ray, Ph.D., LPC, RPT-S
Professor, Counseling Program
Director, Child & Family Resource Clinic
University of North Texas
940.565.2066
Dee.Ray@unt.edu
Jonathan H. Ohrt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Counseling Program
University of North Texas
940.565.2842
Jonathan.Ohrt@unt.edu
Professional References
Amy Lawrence
Director of Counseling Services
Denton Independent School District
940.369.0065
alawrence@dentonisd.org
Casey A. Barrio Minton, Ph.D., NCC
Associate Professor & Program Coordinator,
Counseling Program
University of North Texas
940.565.4945
Casey.Barrio@unt.edu
Larry Mankoff , LMSW
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