Biography
Chavez received a BA degree in Psychology (1994) and an MA in Counseling (2001) from the University of New Mexico. He earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology degree (2015) from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Following his Ph.D., he completed a post-doc at the University of New Mexico, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center on Alcoholism - Substance Abuse - and Addictions (CASAA).
Personal Statement
Considering the disparities noted among historically marginalized communities of New Mexico, he believes that it is important to center critical perspectives (e.g. intersectionality, critical race theory, feminist, and queer theories) in training, practice, supervision, and research to better understand and address the needs of our communities. As such, Chavez's scholarship focuses on the health and well-being of citizens and undocumented/mixed-status Latinx families and communities. He has also taught courses for undergraduates who are developing their interest in the helping professions. His graduate courses are centered on multicultural issues in counseling/psychotherapy practice, supervision, and research, which continues in internship training.
Areas of Specialty
Scholarship topics include family stress, (immigrant and racial) trauma, substance misuse, youth resiliency, and the development of culturally centered interventions.