María Vélez Pastrana, PhD

María C. Vélez-Pastrana, Ph.D. serves as associate professor in the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program at Albizu University, San Juan Campus. This faculty member’s academic preparation and research agenda contribute to the Program’s scientist-practitioner training model and culturally responsive approach.

Executive functioning; self-regulation; emotional regulation; impulsivity and behavioral addictions; ADHD; substance use, including caffeine, cigarettes, and vaping; personality disorders; families affected by ADHD; parenting.

• Ph.D. (1997), Clinical Psychology, Caribbean Center for Advanced Studies
• M.S. (1995), Clinical Psychology, Caribbean Center for Advanced Studies
• B.A. (1990), Psychology, University of Puerto Rico

• Martínez-Seda, G. M., Vélez-Pastrana, M. C., & Nicasio-Infante, A. (2024). Understanding mental health impact of COVID-19 on Puerto Rican youth: Influence of parental stress. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(12), 1564. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121564
• López-Toro, E., Wolf, C. J. H., González, R. A., van den Brink, W., Schellekens, A., ICASA Group, & Vélez-Pastrana, M. C. (2022). Network analysis of DSM symptoms of substance use disorders and frequently co-occurring mental disorders in patients with substance use disorder who seek treatment. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(10), 2883. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11102883
• Acevedo-Velázquez, M., & Vélez-Pastrana, M. C. (2021). Intervenciones psicoeducativas de conocimiento parental sobre la crianza: Adaptaciones en línea durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Ciencias de la Conducta, 36(1), 3-16.
• Vélez-Pastrana, M. C., González, R. A., Ramos-Fernández, A., Ramírez Padilla, R. R., Levin, F. R., & Albizu García, C. (2020). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in prisoners: Increased substance use disorder severity and psychiatric comorbidity. European Addiction Research, 26, 179-190. https://doi.org/10.1159/000508829
• Sánchez-García, N. C., González, R. A., Ramos-Quiroga, J. A., van den Brink, W., Luderer, M., Blankers, M., et al. (2020). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder increases nicotine addiction severity in adults seeking treatment for substance use disorders: The role of personality disorders. European Addiction Research, 26, 191-200. https://doi.org/10.1159/000508545