ABOUTME!
​​Ms. Ponce is passionate about adolescent mental health, advocating and educating is her motto. In 2024, the Rio Grande Valley Counseling Association in Texas awarded Maricela with the Licensed Professional Counselor of the Year for her consistent advocacy on mental health, and where she also presented for the second time on two topics at the RGVCA annual counselor conference, which included Motivational Interviewing techniques and using the PHQ-9 Modified for Adolescents in a school setting.
​
Professional Specializations
CBT/DBT/ACT
Mood/Anxiety Disorders
Trauma Stress-Related Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive/Related Disorders
Social Environment Problems
Self-Harming Behavior/Suicidality
Laughter Yoga/MBSR
Mental Health Program Development/Coordination
Relationships/Family Dynamic Issues
Adjustment Problems/Disorders
Mental Health Presentations/Workshops
Adolescent Mental Health/LGBTQ+/Young Adults
Programs, Trainings, and Certificates
​
Mindfulness Studies​
-
Introduction to Mindfulness Teacher Certification (Mindfulness and Health Institute) in progress,
-
Mindful Eating (Mindfulness and Health Institute) in progress,
-
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Teacher Certification (Brown University) in progress
-
Deeper Mindfulness, 2025
-
The Science and Practice of Habit Change, 2024
-
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Program, 2022
-
Laughter Yoga Leader Certification, 2022
-
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program, 2021
-
​
Suicide Prevention and Intervention
-
CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) Certificate, 2024
-
CAMS-4Teens (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) Certificate, 2024CAMS-4Teens and Parents (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) Certificate, 2024
-
CAMS Difficult Patients (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) Certificate, 2024,
-
Youth Mental Health First Aid Train the Trainer, 2023
​
Counseling and Therapy
-
Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment, Certificate, 2022​
-
Beck Initiative Cognitive Therapy (Certificate - 22 hours), 2017
-
Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders (COPSD) Certificate, 2018
​
"Maricela has been such a big help in my mental health journey and does not shy away from presenting helpful adjustments. She has allowed me to explore various aspects of myself that have furthered my confidence and helped me manage my anxiety. The change does not happen overnight; it takes work and dedication, which is what Maricela did. Through her efforts and understanding of myself, I am who I am now." Austin Texas
​
​"I came into my first therapy session nervous, and was immediately calmed by Maricela's warmth and humor. Was patient as I filled out last-minute questions that I missed earlier." Dallas, Texas
​