School of Education — Counseling Psychology

Elena Flores, Ph.D.

Professor, Counseling Psychology

Dr. Flores is a spanish-speaking, Latina Clinical Psychologist with several years experience providing mental health and human services to adolescents and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her work in community health and mental health has involved direct assessments and psychotherapy, case management, program development and evaluation, clinical supervision, developing policies and procedures for comprehensive services, and developing culturally-specific interventions and psychological services. She has experience consulting with health and mental health community-based organizations, education programs, and county and federal agencies.

Dr. Flores is also a Research Associate in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco where she is currently a Co-investigator of a NIH funded study examining parental influences on obesity among Mexican American children. Her research and publications focus on Mexican American family functioning and adolescent health risk behaviors, Latino adolescent sexual behavior, and discrimination stress. She has received NIH funding as a Co-investigator to study Latino adolescent relationships and condom use. Her publications have appeared in such journals as Journal of Counseling Psychology, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, Journal of Adolescent Health, Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, and Journal of Marriage and the Family.

Education

Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, The Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA
M.A., Sociology, University of California, Berkeley
B.A., Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz
Secondary Teaching Credential, University of California, Santa Cruz

Research Areas

Latino adolescent sexuality; family functioning and adolescent health risk behaviors; Latino mental health; multicultural psychology and counseling.

Teaching
  • Cross Cultural Counseling
  • Counseling Across Cultures
  • Individual and Family Psychopathology
Publications

Ozer, E. J., Flores, E., Tschann, J. M., Pasch, L. A. Parenting style, depressive symptoms, and substance use in Mexican-American adolescents. Youth and Society, under review.

Flores, E., Tschann, J. M. Pasch, L. A., Dimas, J., deGroat, C. L. (2010). Perceived discrimination, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and health risk behaviors among Mexican American adolescents. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 57(3), 264-273. doi: 10.1037/a0020026.

Tschann, J. M., Flores, E., de Groat, C L., Deardorff, J., Wibbelsman, C. J. (2010). Condom negotiation strategies and actual condom use among Latino youth.  Journal of Adolescent Health, 47(3), 254-262.

Deardorff, J., Tschann, J. M., Flores, E., & Ozer, E. J. (2010) Sexual values and risky sexual behaviors among Latino youth. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 42(1), 23-32. PMCID: PMC2882187.

Tschann, J. M., Pasch, L. A., Flores, E., Marin, B.V., Baisch, E. M., & Wibbelsman, C. J. (2009). Nonviolent aspects of interparental conflict and dating violence among adolescents. Journal of Family Issues, 30(3), 295-319.

Brady, S. S., Tschann, J. M., Ellen, J. M., & Flores, E. (2009). Infidelity, trust, and condom use among Latino youth in dating relationships. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 36(4), 227-231.

Brady, S. S., Tschann, J. M., Pasch, L. A., Flores, E., & Ozer, E. J. (2009). Cognitive coping moderates the association between violent victimization by peers and substance use among adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 34(3), 304-310.

Publications-Full List (pdf)

Research Grants

Co-investigator: Parental Influences on Obesity Among Mexican American Children, National Institute of Health Grant, NHLBI; $3, 800,000. 2007-2012

Co-investigator: Relationship Context and Condom Use to Prevent STD's Among Latino Adolescents, National Institute of Health Grant, NIAD;  $2,658,855. 2002-2007

Co-investigator: Interparental Conflict and Adolescent Violence; Maternal and Child Bureau Grant; $1,160,000. 1997-2001