Dr. Mario Duran

Mario Duran completed his Licensure degree in Psychology at the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), where he graduated with honors and went on to become one of the youngest professors in the School of Psychology of the University of Costa Rica. Mario completed a Masters program on Substance Abuse Treatment hosted by the Organization of American States (OAS) where he developed a residential treatment model for adolescents and eventually became part of the teaching staff, focusing on research models and best practices for residential programs.

Mario has a lot of experience, having served as clinical coordinator at Villa San Jose, a drug and alcohol treatment center. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director of the Vida y Sociedad Foundation , a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing substance abuse prevention programs to elementary and secondary schools throughout Costa Rica. He has consulted for mental health and educational institutions, NGO’s and international organization and has published several articles and research reports on behavioral health, best practices and addiction. Prior to NSA, Mario was the Clinical Director at Coronado Academy a therapeutic boarding school serving adolescent boys and girls.

Mario invests himself in building healthy relationships with students by interacting with them in our milieu, creating opportunities to model patience, sensitivity and empathy. He also believes in helping adolescents boys become respectful, tolerant and responsible young men by providing mentorship and constant support. Mario uses a strength based approach in therapy and believes in finding opportunities instead of threats when it comes to family dynamics and change.

​Mario has lived in Costa Rica most of his life and has had the opportunity to also live in the United States and France. He is a proud husband and father, and he enjoys mountain biking, nature, ​and indoor soccer.