Dr. Yvonne Garza

Yvonne Garza received her Ph.D. in Counseling from the University of North Texas with a specialty in Play Therapy. She has over 15 years of clinical experience working with children and families in the areas of both outpatient and inpatient mental health, to include work in juvenile detention, schools, and contract work with cancer patients. Garza’s research interests include play therapy, play therapy with Hispanics, filial therapy and counselor supervision. Dr. Garza currently is the Director At-Large for the Sam Houston Chapter of the Association for Play Therapy and is the President of the Texas Association for Play Therapy.

Additional topics of interest:

• Animal Assisted Therapy
  
• Diversity Issues in Counseling
  
• Expressive Arts in Counseling
  
• Issues in Counseling Children/Adolescents and Families
  
• Nondirective Counseling
  
• Resiliency

• Orientation to Counseling
• Play Therapy Basics
  
• Advanced Play Therapy
  
• Theories of counseling
• Child and Adolescent Counseling
  
• Supervised Practicum     

• Play therapy with Hispanic children
• Child-Parent Relationship Training with parents of Hispanic children
• Adlerian sandtray therapy with addicted clients
• Pet-Assisted therapy in the school setting: A qualitative study
• A qualitative study with RPT-Supervisors: Examining PT skills
  
• Filial therapy with Hispanic parents of children who were victims of family violence

• Garza, Y. & Watts, R. (in press). Filial therapy and Hispanic values: Common ground for             culturally sensitive helping.  Journal of Counseling and Development. (Manuscript             submitted for publication, No. 6-05-072).

                                                   

• McDonald K. & Garza, Y. (in press). Children’s Perceptions of Pets in the Student-                        Counselor Relationship. Wisconsin Counseling Journal.

• Watts, R. & Garza, Y. (2008). Using children’s Drawings to Facilitate the Acting “As If”             procedure. Journal of Individual Psychology 64(1), 113-118.

• Garza, Y. Watts, R. & Kinsworthy, S. (2007). Filial Therapy: A process for                         developingstrong parent-child relationships. The Family Journal, 15(3), 277-281.

• Garza, Y., & Bratton, S. C. (2005). School-based child-centered play therapy with
              Hispanic children: Outcomes and cultural considerations. International Journal of             Play Therapy, 14(1), 51-79.

• Watts, R., & Garza, Y. (2008). Using child-centered play therapy skills in a
              constructive therapy context. In J. Raskin & S. Bridges (Eds.), Studies in                         meaning: Vol. 3. New York: Pace University Press.

• Garza, Y. & Kinsworthy, S. (in press). Extreme parenting makeover: Three steps
              toward a healthier family. The Five R’s of Relationships: 131 Tools for Couples.             Chandler, AZ: Five Star.

• Garza, Y. (Winter, 2007) A Parenting Make-over: Three Tips for a Healthier Family.             Huntsville Item. Playbill. Texas Association for Play Therapy.

             

• McNulty, B. & Garza, Y. (Spring, 2004) The truth behind a touch. Visions Newsletter.             American College Counseling Association.

             

• 2008           Child-Teacher Relationship Training: Servicing Disadvantaged Head Start                       Children. Enhancement Grant for Research, SHSU. $15,455.

                                                   

• 2007          Effects of Child Parent Relationship (CPR) training, with Hispanic parents
                   of pre-school aged children. Departmental Mini-Research Award. SHSU,                  $1333.

• 2006          Jack Staggs Counseling Clinic Funds for Supplies and Materials. Wal-Mart                  Good Works Grant, Huntsville TX. $1750.

• 2006          Playroom Resources. Community Involvement Program, Wal-mart                  Foundation, $1125.