About

Thanks for your interest! Learn more about my individual psychotherapy services (for residents of Washington & Oregon, as well as those in these 42 states) or view my current groups via Psychology Today.

You might consider classes I teach at Portland Community College, where I share gardening for wellness education and tips for cultivating green connections. Especially during times of social isolation, I encourage meaningful relationships with others (including pets) and in the natural world.

*If you’re thinking about taking a class with me, please see read this note.

While this website presents an opportunity to “choose your own adventure,” I don’t engage in “dual roles” with psychotherapy clients. What this means – if you’re currently taking a class with me (or plan to do so in the future), I won’t be able to see you in my private practice. Have questions? Feel free to get in touch.

Finally, on a personal note, I’m an adoptive mother with a neurodiverse, multi-ethnic household. When I’m not serving as a psychotherapist or teaching, you’ll find me hanging at farmers markets, savoring local Nature, and growing in community.

Qualifications and education (prior to 2022, as Dr. Dawnn R. McWatters, Psy.D.):

• Licensed Psychologist – Washington State #PY00003711 & Oregon #2195, with Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology APIT #15052
• Pacific University School of Professional Psychology – Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology (2006); President’s Award of Academic Excellence

Professional experience highlights:

In the Portland-metro area, I maintained a full-time independent private practice from 2007 – 2019 as a licensed psychologist specializing in mindfulness-based interventions and Binge Eating Disorder treatment, before I began a sabbatical (extended by the COVID-19 pandemic) in the field of therapeutic horticulture. Previously, I was contracted as the primary mental health services provider at Washington State University-Vancouver’s Student Counseling Center. Prior to graduate school, I provided supportive services to individuals in the justice system.

I’ve served as an adjunct instructor at colleges including Oregon State University and Pacific University School of Graduate Psychology, and facilitated a variety of professional presentations (most recently, a Therapeutic Gardening workshop at UW Botanic Gardens and at the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association’s annual conference), in addition to current Community Education classes through Portland Community College.

Leadership positions include volunteer roles with the American Psychologist Association, Washington State Psychologist Association, Oregon Psychological Association, and Columbia River Eating Disorder Network.

Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve participated in a variety of secular mindfulness programs, including intensive professional training from Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), Dr. Jan Chozen Bays (Mindful Eating), and Dr. Christopher Germer & Dr. Kristin Neff (Mindful Self-Compassion). I am also deeply grateful for opportunities to participate in sangha with a variety of vipassana, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhist communities.