About

Mercedes M. Machado is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Practicum & Internship Coordinator in the Counselor Education program. She is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a deep passion for education, mental health and social justice. Mercedes is a proud Gator Alumna and received her Bachelor of Science, Masters of Education, Educational Specialist and Doctoral degrees from the University of Florida. Mercedes has practiced in various settings supporting children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of presenting concerns including, but not limited to: anxiety, depression, conflict resolution, relapse prevention, PTSD, grief and loss, and extensive trauma. She is skilled in many treatment modalities, including individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy and small-group and large-group classroom interventions. Furthermore, she utilizes evidenced-based, creative and justice-focused clinical interventions in her work with clients. In addition, Mercedes has extensive experience teaching and supervising. She has provided individual and small-group supervision for counselors-in-training pursing specialties in community mental health, school counseling and marriage and family therapy. Her model of supervision is integrative with an emphasis on person-centered theory and the Integrative Developmental Model (IDM). Mercedes’s research focuses on advocating for marginalized clients in clinical practice and centering equity and justice work in counselor education.

Research Interests

Clinical Interventions, Multicultural Competencies, Race / Ethnicity Issues, Social Justice in Education, Trauma

Education

• 2016-2021 Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Counselor Education (CACREP) University of Florida
• 2012 – 2015 Educational Specialist in Mental Health Counseling (CACREP) University of Florida
• 2012 – 2015 Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling (CACREP) University of Florida
• 2008 – 2012 Bachelor of Science in Psychology Bachelor of Science in Journalism University of Florida

Professional Appointments

• Counselors for Social Justice Co-Chair of Mentorship Committee, Florida Counseling Association Convention Volunteer Coordinator

Activities and Honors

• University of Florida, College of Education, Outstanding Graduate Professional Practice Award (2020)
• University of Florida, College of Education, Mary Jean Davis Memorial Scholarship Recipient (2019)
• Chi Sigma Iota, Beta Chapter, Outstanding Doctoral Student Award (2018)
• American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Holmes Scholars Program,
• University of Florida Chapter (2018)
• University of Florida, College of Education, Evelyn L. Wenzel Memorial Scholarship Recipient (2018)
• Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development Research Grant (2018)
• Chi Sigma Iota, Beta Chapter, Outstanding Practitioner-Supervisor Award (2018)
• Gainesville Regional Utility, Play Therapy Grant for Girls Place, Inc. (2017)

Selected Publications

Articles

• Walker, A., Rujimora, J., Swygert, A., McNiece, Z., Yoon, E., Machado, M., Myers, K., Richardson, E., Lenes, E., Hebert, L., Marchi, E., Arthurson-McColl, Z., Lagmay, J., Puig, A. (2022). A Novel Palliative Care Peer Support Program for Adolescents and Young Adults: Survey and Factor Analytic Study. Journal of Palliative Medicine.
• Machado, M., & Swank, J. M. (2019). Therapeutic gardening: A counseling approach for bereavement from suicide. Death Studies.
• Lenes, E., Swank, J., Hart, K., Machado, M., Darilus, S., Ardelt, M., Smith-Adcock, S.,Rockwood Lane, M., & Puig, A. (2020). Color-conscious multicultural mindfulness (CCMM) training in the counseling field. Journal of Counseling and Development

Presentations

• Machado, M. (2021, October). Luchando Juntos: Testimonios of Latinx Counselor Educators at Predominantly White Institutions. Presented at the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision biannual conference. Atlanta, GA.
• McGrath, Fair C., Bayne, H., & Machado, M. (2021, October). Decolonizing Multicultural Education in Counselor Training Programs as an Anti-racist Practice. Presented at the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision biannual conference. Atlanta, GA.
• Machado, M., & McGrath, Fair C (2021, October). Mentorship for Social Justice. Presented virtually at the Florida Counseling Association annual conference.
• Machado, M., & McGrath, Fair C. (2020, October). Ethics, Mental Health & Justice: Supporting Clients at the Margins. Presented at the Florida Counseling Association annual conference. Tampa, FL.
• Machado, M. (2020, October) The Whole Child: Supporting Children and Families in Distress. Presented at the Florida Counseling Association annual conference. Tampa, FL.
• McGrath, Fair C., Edmondson, J., & Machado, M. (2019, October). Self-care for marginalized and non-privileged identities. Presented at the Florida Counseling Association annual conference, Tampa, FL.
• Machado, M., & McGrath Fair, C. (2019, July). Social justice identity development in counselors. Presented at the AMCD Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Summit, Orlando, FL.
• Machado, M. (2019, March). Therapeutic gardening as a counseling tool: Supporting survivors of suicide loss. Presented at the American Counseling Association annual conference, New Orleans, LA.