Dr. Katie Watson MacDonell
Dr. Katie Watson MacDonell earned her Ph.D. in clinical-community psychology from the University of South Carolina in 2019 and completed her doctoral internship/residency at Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health, a community mental health centre in Canton, Ohio. Across her graduate training, her research and therapeutic interests have focused on prevention and early intervention of behavioural concerns through supporting and empowering her clients and their families.
Dr. Katie Watson MacDonell has always been drawn to working with youth and families. In high school, she worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor for the City of Toronto and at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab. After completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Guelph, a strong interest in further understanding why humans engage in destructive behaviour led her to pursue a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Through pursuing this degree, Dr. Katie Watson MacDonell’s focus shifted to providing therapeutic support to children, adolescents, and their families in preventing and providing early intervention for the precursors of later destructive behaviour.
Throughout her doctoral training she has provided therapy and assessment services to children, adolescents, and their families dealing with a wide range of mental health concerns. During her internship/residency she gained intensive training in assessing and providing therapy to clients who have experienced past and/or current trauma. Her clinical practice draws on a variety of therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). She is also certified in providing the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program (https://www.triplep.net/glo-en/find-out-about-triple-p/triple-p-in-a-nutshell/) and since 2013 has worked with families facing a wide range of behavioural and emotional concerns through assisting, supporting, and empowering parents.
Outside of work, Dr. Katie Watson MacDonell is always looking for new recipes to try, road bike riding and running, and is contemplating whether to attempt a triathlon. She also enjoys spending time with her family and her dachshund, Lincoln.