Leadership Council

Term of office: 2018-2019
[email protected]

Dr. Millán is a Latinx Counseling Psychologist, licensed in New York State and board certified in psychoanalysis by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He maintains a part time private practice in Spanish and English.  Dr. Millán is Professor of Psychology and Past-Chair of Psychology and current Director of the Graduate Program in Mental Health Counseling at SUNY Old Westbury. He is current Chair of the APA Ethics Committee and board member of the New York State Board for Discipline and Licensure.

Dr. Millán is Past-President of the Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards.  He served as Chair of the ASPPB Telepsychology Task Force and Co-Chair of the APA/ASPPB/APAIT Joint Task Force on Telepsychology. Dr. Millán is Past-Chair of the New York State Board for Psychology.

President-Elect, Brian W. McNeill, Ph.D.

Term of office: 2018 -2019
Professor/Chicano Psychologist Co-Director Pacific Northwest Center for Mestizo and Indigenous
Research and Outreach Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology
Washington State University
[email protected]

Brian W. McNeill, Ph.D. Is a professor in the Counseling Psychology Program at Washington State University where he also co-directs the newly created Pacific Northwest Center for Mestizo and Indigenous Research and Outreach. He is the co-editor of The Handbook of Chicana and Chicano Psychology and Mental Health, Latinx Healing Practices: Mestizo and Indigenous Perspectives, and co-author of IDM Supervision: An Integrative Developmental Model for Supervising Counselors and Therapists. Dr. McNeill is a licensed psychologist in the states of Washington and Idaho, where he practices and consults.  

Past-President,  Y. Evie Garcia, Ph.D.

Term of office: 2017
Associate Professor Educational Psychology
Northern Arizona University
[email protected]

Evie Garcia is an Associate Professor and Training Director in Educational Psychology - Counseling Psychology at Northern Arizona University. She served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate College from 2008-2013. Professional and research interests include biological bases of behavior, neuropsychology, ethnocultural identity, and professional leadership. Dr. Garcia is a co-founder and board member of the Leadership Development Institute of the Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests (CNPAAEMI). She is a licensed psychologist and is a past-president of the Arizona Psychological Association and past-chair of the American Psychological Association Continuing Education Committee.

Treasurer,  Ezequiel Peña, Ph.D.

Term of office: 2017-2018
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs in Global & Strategic Initiatives
Director, Center for Mexican American Studies & Research
Associate Professor of Psychology
Our Lady of the Lake University
[email protected]

Ezequiel Peña is Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs in Global and Strategic Initiatives at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU). In addition, he oversees the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research (CMASR), Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, and International Education. As an Associate Professor of Psychology, Dr. Peña served as Director of the OLLU Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program and the Psychological Services for Spanish Speaking Populations bilingual therapy certificate program. His scholarly and clinical interests are in increasing equity and access for first-generation Latinx university students; internationalization of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs); the reduction of mental health disparities for Spanish-speaking communities; Spanish-English bilingual therapy, training, and supervision; and the intersections of Latinx identity, class, gender, sexual orientation, spirituality, and individual voice. He has published and presented in the area of educational access of bilingual Latinx students, Latinx identity, and Latinx mental health. He has presented at numerous local, regional, state, national, and international conferences. He was the National Latinx Psychological Association’s (NLPA) 2012-2013 inaugural fellow for the Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests (CNPAAEMI) Leadership Development Institute. He served previously on NLPA’s Leadership Council as their Professional Development Coordinator. He is Past-President of the Bexar County Psychological Association and served on the Executive Board of the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs. Dr. Peña earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin and his B.A. in Psychology from Trinity University.

Early Career Representative, Luz Maria Garcini 

Student Representative,  Marlaine M. Monroig Garcia, M.S.Ed.

Term of office: 2018-2019
[email protected]

 Marlaine is a doctoral candidate in Counseling Psychology at the University of Georgia. She is passionate about providing monolingual and bilingual Spanish counseling services and is a part of the ¡BIEN! team, a hybrid of research, service and outreach to underserved communities. Her research interests include complex trauma, specifically in vulnerable and racial/ethnic minority populations, and the identification and facilitation of resiliency factors. Her dissertation is focused on the topic of human trafficking and reducing revictimization through counseling. Her research interests also include multicultural psychology and Latinx psychology. She is currently leading a multi-institutional research project exploring the experiences of Latinas in Clinical and Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Programs. Prior to UGA, Marlaine obtained her BS in psychology at the University of Central Florida and a master's in mental health counseling at the University of Miami. She’s a proud Boricua, born and raised in Puerto Rico.

Student Development Coordinator, Valerie Minchala, Ph.D.

Term of office: 2014-2017
Counselor Faculty
Counseling and Psychological Services
California State University, Fullerton
[email protected]
 
Dr. Valerie Minchala is a licensed clinical psychologist who received her Ph.D. fromBallStateUniversityand currently works at California State University, Fullerton's Counseling and Psychological Services center. Her clinical interests include: Latinx issues, family of origin issues, trauma work, working with graduate students, supervision and training, LGBT issues, alcohol and other drug concerns, and working with student veterans.

Membership Chair, Zully Rivera-Ramos, Ph.D.

Term of Office: 2016-2017
Licensed Psychologist
Clinical Assistant Professor
Counseling & Wellness Center
University of Florida
[email protected]

I received my PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and my BA in Psychology and Sociology (with a minor in Women and Gender Studies) from the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras. I completed my doctoral internship at the Texas Tech University Student Counseling Center. As an NLPA member I have been serving in several committees, and recently became the chair of the Membership Committee. I am very passionate about multicultural concerns, particularly in regards to the intersection of sexual orientation, gender, and Latin identities. Being originally from Puerto Rico, I am fully bilingual in Spanish and English and can provide counseling in Spanish. I specialize in LGBTQ-affirming psychotherapy and have experience doing research and outreach to promote awareness and understanding of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. I have presented nationally and published in peer-reviewed journals addressing issues related to sexual orientation, gender, and/or Latin identities. Group counseling is another area that I am very passionate about. I truly enjoy the opportunity to have a diverse group of students where we can process different levels of interaction and their impact. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family; doing things like swimming, walking, or playing pool.

Senior Advisor on Public Policy, Manuel Paris, Psy.D.

Term of office: 2014-2018
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Yale University School of Medicine
[email protected]

Dr. Manuel Paris is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine and Deputy Director of Hispanic Services for the Connecticut Mental Health Center. He also serves as Director of Training for the Latinx Track of the Yale Psychology Pre and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program at the Hispanic Clinic. His professional focus is on the adaptation of evidence-based interventions within a culturally appropriate framework, with a specific emphasis on motivational interviewing for addictions. As such, he is actively involved in the following three areas: 1) evaluation of cultural/linguistic adaptations of evidence based interventions and assessments; 2) multisite training and fidelity monitoring; and 3) workforce development. He has co-authored numerous articles on Latinx behavioral health issues and also teaches and lectures extensively on this topic.

Delegate to the American Psychological Association’s Council of Representatives (COR), Milton A. Fuentes, Psy.D.

Term of office: 2018-2020
Professor of Psychology
Montclair State University
[email protected]

Dr. Milton A. Fuentes received his MA in Psychology with a Latinx Psychology focus from Montclair State University and his Psy.D. in clinical psychology from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. He completed a pre-doctoral fellowship in clinical and community psychology at Yale University and secured post-doctoral training in epidemiology at Columbia University.  He is the 2012 President of the National Latinx Psychological Association and a former member of the American Psychological Association’s Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs.  Dr. Fuentes is the current president of the Latinx Mental Health Association of NJ; an ethnic minority delegate to APA’s Council of Representatives, and member of APA’s Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest.  Dr. Fuentes’s research interests are in the areas of Latinx and multicultural psychology, child/ family psychology, pedagogy and motivational interviewing. He serves as a consultant to several programs, including the Violence Prevention Office of the American Psychological Association, where he serves as a Coordinator and Master Trainer for the ACT Raising Safe Kids program. Dr. Fuentes is currently a professor in the psychology department, the director of the Research Academy for University Learning at Montclair State University as well as a licensed psychologist in New Jersey and New York.

Fund Raising/Development Chairperson, Jesús Rodríguez, Ph.D.

Term of Office: 2016-2017
[email protected] 

LPT Newsletter Editor, Hector Y. Adames, Psy.D.

Term of office: N/A
Assistant Professor,
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
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Dr. Hector Y. Adames is a licensed neuropsychologist who received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Wright State University. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where he leads the Health Psychology concentration. His research and clinical expertise focus on assessment, cognitive aging, memory functioning, health, multiculturalism, professional training in psychology and Latinx psychology.

Conference Chair, Biennial Conference 2018, Alinne Barrera, Ph.D.

Term of office: 2017-2018
Associate Professor and Associate
Director of Clinical Training
Palo Alto University
[email protected]

Dr. Barrera is a California licensed clinical psychologist with experience providing clinical services to Spanish-speaking adults. Her professional interests include culturally adapting evidence-based depression interventions, improving engagement and retention in psychological care among Spanish-speaking adults, and in the use of innovative methods of service delivery to increase access to psychological care. Her current research is focused on the use of technology-based tools to design and test psychoeducational and depression interventions for local and global communities of pregnant and postpartum women. Dr. Barrera has been a member of NLPA and conferencia presenter since graduate school, and credits her involvement with helping develop her professional identity. In 2011 she developed the NLPA website Teaching Resources page and has served as a member of the scientific review committee for the last few conferencias. She is excited to begin working side-by-side with the Leadership Council to shape the 2018 conferencia into an inspiring and fun event.

Conference Vice-Chair, Biennial Conference 2018, Roberto Abreu, M.S., Ed.S, NNC

Media Coordinator, Cristalís Capielo Rosario, Ph.D.

Term of office: 2017-2018
Assistant Professor, Counseling and Counseling Psychology
Arizona State University                                                                                     

Dr. Cristalís Capielo Rosario received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The University of Georgia in 2016. She is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Counseling and Counseling Psychology Department at Arizona State University. Dr. Capielo Rosario’s research interests include Latinx psychology, colonialism, acculturation measurement, the acculturative process of Puerto Ricans in the island and mainland, multicultural and linguistic competence, and multiculturally informed ethical standards. She has multiple publications and national arbitered and invited presentations in the areas of Latinx psychology. Dr. Capielo Rosario has also held various leadership positions, including the Conference Chair for the National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA) 2016 Biennial Conference.

CNPAAEMI &  CLDI Leadership Fellow, Elizabeth Aranda, Ph.D.

Term of office: 2018-2019

Elizabeth Aranda, Ph.D, is a  Senior Staff Psychologist at University of California, Berkeley Counseling and Psychological Services. She completed her undergraduate education at The University of Texas at Austin and completed her graduate degrees at Texas Woman’s University. In 2018, Elizabeth was awarded NLPA's Leadership Fellowship on behalf of the Leadership Development Institute of the Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests (CNPAAEMI). She is passionate about working with historically underrepresented groups, particularly those with intersecting identities such as LGBTQ identified persons of color. In action, Elizabeth serves on the UC Transcare team, and also as a co-chair for NLPA’s Orgullo, a special interest group committed to addressing the needs and challenges faced by Latinx sexual and gender diverse individuals. In addition to her work prioritizing the needs of multicultural communities, Elizabeth also specializes in conducting neuropsychological evaluations to assess for learning disabilities and other neurodevelopmental disorders. When not dedicating herself to her work, she enjoys spending her time cooking, learning, and traveling the world with her wife and family.

Professional Development Coordinator, Claudette Antuña, Psy.D., MHSA, LICSW

Term of office: 2017-2018
Sammamish Consulting & Counseling Services
Bilingual Clinical and Forensic Psychological Services
[email protected]

She is a bilingual (native Spanish speaker) Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in Seattle and Federal Way, Washington since 1990. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic American Studies from the University of Miami (1966), a Master in Social Work from Barry University (1975) and a Master in Health Services Administration from Florida International University (1982). She was the Director of Social Work Services in medical facilities in the State of Florida and Washington. Dr. Antuña was a charter member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team for the State of Washington and a volunteer Manager for Disaster Mental Health Services with the American Red Cross. In addition from 2000 to 2011 Dr. Antuña was the clinical consultant for the Tacoma Veterans Center dealing with military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injuries and family bereavement cases. In 2007, she obtained a Certificate in Global Mental Health from the Harvard Refugee Trauma and Recovery Mastery Program along with special training on conducting psychological documentation of trauma and other human rights abuses from HealthRight International Human Rights Clinic (2010) and Physicians for Human Rights (2011). Since 2006, she has been conducting forensic psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for a variety of immigration related forensic issues and is considered an expert at Immigration Court in Seattle and Tacoma. She also conducts child custody evaluations. Dr. Antuña has been involved in the education of social work and psychology master and doctoral students for several universities both in Florida and in Washington. She is currently the APA’s diversity delegate for the State of Washington, chair of the Immigration task force for Division 52 and a member of the diversity group for Division 56. She has received several awards for her work with undocumented immigrants.

Mentoring Program & Networking Chair. Regina Jean Van Hell, Ph.D.

Term of office: 2017 -2019
[email protected]

Born in Mexico City, Mexico.  Completed B.A. in Psychology at Wellesley College, an M.A in Counseling Psychology, and a Ph.D., in Developmental and Educational Psychology, both at Boston College, Lynch School of Education. Worked at Boston College at the AHANA Student Programs as a Counselor and managed the Benjamin E. Mays Mentoring Program.  At Lesley University, worked at the Say Yes To Education Program where she created a mentoring Program for the students in this University-Community-Partnership and researcher evaluating the outcome of this Say Yes To Education Program. Dynamic and innovative educational leader with strong international and cultural diversity and distinguished background as Lecturer and Adjunct Professor in Psychology and Counseling Psychology for graduate and undergraduate students specializing in clinical applications of human development, human development, ethical standards in counseling, multicultural and diversity counseling and education.  In addition, has done significant research on Latinx College Students. Leadership positions have been Vice-president in the 1990’s and more recently President of Alumnae Class at Wellesley College from 2011 to 2016.  NLPA volunteer of the Training and Networking Committee, Co-Chair, from 2013 to 2016. In 2016 initiated the NLPA Mentoring Program at the 2016 Conference in Orlando. Traveled to Europe, Asia, Middle East, America and Caribbean. Fluent in Spanish, French, and conversant in Dutch.

Psychological Practice Issues Advocate, Miguel Gallardo, Psy.D.

Term of office: 2013-2017
Psychological Practice Issues Advocate
Associate Professor of Psychology and Director Aliento,
The Center for Latinx Communities Pepperdine University
[email protected]

Dr. Gallardo is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of Aliento, The Center for Latinx Communities at Pepperdine University and a licensed psychologist.  His areas of scholarship and research interests include understanding the psychotherapy process when working with ethnocultural communities, particularly the Latinx community and in understanding the processes by which individuals develop cultural awareness and responsiveness. Dr. Gallardo is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. He is a past-chair of the Committee of Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA) of the APA and is a past-president of the California Psychological Association (CPA). Dr. Gallardo is one of the founding members of the California Latinx Psychological Association.  He is currently serving a Governor appointed position on the California Board of Psychology. 

Psychological Science Issues Advocate (Position Vacant)

Senior Advisor, Patricia Arredondo, Ed.D.

Term of office: N/A
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Dr. Arredondo has dedicated her career to advancing multicultural competencies and social justice principles in the professions of Counseling and Psychology. She has adapted models for competency development and Dimensions of Personal Identity to different workplace settings as she consults on strategic organizational diversity initiatives. She has been a tenured full professor and senior administrator in higher education. She served as president of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago campus, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Senior Vice President Student initiatives with Arizona State University. Currently, she is president of the Arredondo Advisory Group, Visiting Professor, Arizona State University, and Faculty Fellow with Fielding Graduate University.

Throughout her career, Dr. Arredondo has been a scholar and professional organizational leader. She has authored and co-authored six books and more than 100 journal articles, book chapters, and bilingual video productions. Her areas of scholarship include Latinx and immigrant mental health, women’s leadership, organizational diversity, and multicultural competency development. Dr. Arredondo has also been a pioneering leader with national professional associations. She is the first Latina to serve as president of the American Counseling Association (2005-2006) and is the Founding President of the National Latinx Psychological Association. She also served as president of APA Division 45 and ACA’s Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development.

For her servant leadership, Dr. Arredondo has been recognized by various associations. In fall 2015, she was named a Business Leader of Color by Chicago United and in February 2016, she received the Social Justice Award from Teachers College Roundtable. In 2014, she was given the Madrina award by NLPA. She is a Fellow with the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association and holds an honorary degree from the University of San Diego. Dr. Arredondo received her master’s degree from Boston College and her doctoral degree from Boston University. She is of Mexican heritage and currently resides in Phoenix, AZ.

Senior Advisor, Azara Santiago-Rivera, Ph.D., NCC

Term of office: N/A
Director, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Professor
Department of Psychology Merrimack College
[email protected]

Dr. Santiago-Rivera is the Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Merrimack College. Before joining the Merrimack community she served as a consultant and adjunct faculty, teaching for the Clinical Mental Counseling Program and the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at William James College. Dr. Santiago-Rivera earned a doctorate in Counseling from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan and holds a National Certified Counselor credential with the National Board of Certified Counselors. Her publications and research interests include multicultural issues in the counseling profession, bilingual therapy, Latinxs and depression, and the impact of environmental contamination on the biopsychosocial well-being of Native Americans.  She has presented on these topics at major conferences and has published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Clinical Case Studies, Journal of Counseling and Development, the Journal of Community Psychology, Journal of Environmental Psychology, and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training. She has held numerous leadership positions in professional organizations such as the Vice-President of the Latinx Interest Network of the Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), and the President of Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) within the American Counseling Association.  Currently, she is a past- President of the National Latinx/a Psychological Association, an American Psychological Association (APA) affiliated association. She was the Founding Editor of the Journal of Latinx Psychology (APA journal) and is a Fellow of Divisions 45 and 17 of APA. In 2014, Dr. Santiago-Rivera received the APA Presidential Citation for outstanding contribution to the profession.

Senior Advisor, Edward A. Delgado-Romero, Ph.D.

Term of office: N/A

Edward A. Delgado-Romero is an Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Services in the College of Education at the The University of Georgia (UGA). He is also a professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services at UGA. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in counseling psychology and has worked at Michigan State University, University of Florida and Indiana University. Ed helped found NLPA and he is a Lifetime members. Previously he has served NLPA as treasurer, membership chair, program chair, awards chair and President. Ed received Fellow Status in the American Psychological Association through both divisions 17 and 45. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Latinx Psychology and is proud to be a Padrino of NLPA. He is proudest of his children Javier, Isabel, Nicholas, Emma and Gil and his research team BIEN.