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Daniela Vela, Ph.D.

Daniela Vela, Ph.D.

Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute

Psychiatry
Psychology
Psychotherapy

See Dr. Vela's Locations

Biography

Daniela Vela, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in geriatric psychology.

Dr. Vela earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of North Texas. She received advanced training in clinical psychology and geropsychology through a fellowship at the VA North Texas Health Care System.

Licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, Dr. Vela joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2017.

Her research interests include geriatric mental health and caregiving. She is a member of the Dallas Area Gerontological Society, the Gerontological Society of America, the Society of Clinical Geropsychology, and the American Psychological Association.

License Information

TX License #37648; Expires 2/28/2026

Get information on how to verify a license. To file a complaint, call 800-821-3205.

Education & Training

Internship - VA North Texas Health Care System, Clinical Psychology
Graduate School - University of North Texas (2010-2016), Clinical Psychology
Fellowship - VA North Texas Health Care System (2016-2017), Geropsychology
Other Post Graduate Training - University of North Texas (2010-2012)
Other Post Graduate Training - University of North Texas (2010-2016)
Medical School - University of North Texas (2010-2016)

Professional Associations & Affiliations

American Psychological Association (2010)
Gerontological Society of America (2012)

Books & Publications

Publications
- The impact of mental aerobics training on older adults: A randomized assigned study.
  Hayslip, B., Paggi, K., & Caballero Vela, D. SAGE Research Methods Cases. 2017
- The impact of mental aerobics training on older adults.
  Hayslip, B., Paggi, K., & Caballero Vela, D. Journal of Applied Gerontology 2015 32 389-394
- The how and when of parental loss in adulthood: Effects on grief and adjustment.
  Hayslip, B., Pruett, J., & Caballero Vela, D. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying 2015 71 3-18
- Development of a scale to measure death perspectives: Overcoming and Participating.
  Petty, E., Hayslip, B., Caballero Vela, D., & Jenkins, S. R. Omega: Journal of death and Dying 2015 71 146-168
- Doing supervision with attitude: Three foundational principles for supervisory action.
  Watkins, C. E., Atkins, S. A. H., Caballero Vela, D., Marchesani, E. S., Ramos, M. J., Guinn, M. D., & Wike, A. E. Psychology Bulletin 2014 49 5-8
- Employee age and reactions to downsizing.
  Lahner, J., Hayslip, B., & Caballero Vela, D. International Journal of Aging and Human Development 2014 79 225-255
- The beneficial effects of senior center attendance on grandparents raising grandchildren.
  Rhynes, L., Hayslip, B., Caballero Vela, D., & Ingman, S. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships 2013 11 162-175
- Sensitizing young adults to their biases about middle aged and older persons: A pedagogical approach.
  Hayslip, B., Caballero Vela, D., Ward-Pinson, M., & Riddle, R. R. Educational Gerontology 2013 39 37-44

Research

Death and Dying
Caregiving
Adult Development and Aging

Clinical Focus

Psychology
Psychotherapy
Geriatric Psychology