Alfonso Mercado PhD

Dr. Alfonso Mercado, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in Texas and a Full Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He also serves as Director of UTRGV’s Multicultural Clinical Lab and is a National Register Health Service Psychologist. Dr. Mercado earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology from APA-accredited Fielding Graduate University and completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees at California Lutheran University, with study in clinical psychology and criminal justice. Dr. Mercado provides evidence-based care and is fluent in English and Spanish. His clinical interests include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety and depression, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, multicultural psychology, and forensic psychology. Working in the Texas–Mexico border region, he is committed to improving access to high-quality psychological services in underserved communities. His scholarship focuses on multicultural interventions and mental health in culturally diverse groups, including trauma and resiliency among immigrant communities and research with Latino/Latinx populations. In addition to his academic and clinical work, Dr. Mercado has held national and state leadership roles in professional psychology, including service as President of the Texas Psychological Association and President of the National Latinx Psychological Association, and as Chair-Elect of the American Psychological Association’s Advocacy Coordinating Committee. He has been recognized with honors including Psychologist of the Year from the Texas Psychological Association and the APA Early Career Psychologist Achievement Award.