Terri Watson

Biography

Dr. Watson is a board certified clinical psychologist, an approved clinical supervisor with the Center for Credentialing and Education, and an approved supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Her clinical and research interests include the integration of psychology and Christian faith, clinical supervision, cross cultural applications of psychology, couple and family therapy, and women’s issues. She maintains a private practice in Hoffman Estates, IL and also provides supervision and clinical consultation for community and private organizations. Dr. Watson is married with two children and enjoys all things outdoors including hiking, sailing, biking, and gardening.

Education

Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, 1991

Wheaton College Graduate School
M.A., Clinical Psychology, 1986

Indiana University, Bloomington
B.A., Psychology and Religious Studies, 1982

Approved Clinical Supervisor
Center for Credentialing and Education, National Board of Certified Counselors, 2015

Board Certified in Clinical Psychology
American Board of Professional Psychology, 2008

Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples
Ottawa Couple and Family Institute, Ottawa, Canada, 2008

Certification and training
PREPARE / ENRICH couple assessment, 2008

Approved Supervisor
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2000

Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, 1993

Areas of Expertise

Supervision
Character formation
Integration of psychology and Christian faith
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
Positive psychology

Professional Affiliations

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Approved Supervisor Designation
American Board of Professional Psychology
American Counseling Association
American Psychological Association
Alumni Association, The Family Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University
Center for Credentialing and Education, Approved Clinical Supervisor Designation
Christian Association for Psychological Studies

Presentations

International Conferences, Teaching and Consulting

Watson, T.S. (2023). Repairing relationships with Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy. Public lecture for Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang, Indonesia.

Watson, T.S. (2023). Counseling Couples. Day-long workshop for pastors and Christian leaders through Colombo Theological Seminary, Sri Lanka.

Watson, T.S. (2023). Trauma-informed Supervision Practices. Central and Eastern Europe Mental Health Advisory Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.

Watson, T.S. (2022). Fostering professional endurance and integrity. Central and Eastern Europe Mental Health Advisory Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.

Watson, T.S. (2022). Best practices in counseling supervision. Three-hour workshop for supervisors from LK3, Indonesia. Virtual presentation.

Watson, R.A. & Watson, T.S. (2021). From loss and mourning to resilience: Reclaiming hope through self and soul care practices. Live webinar for Colombo Theological Seminary, Sri Lanka.

Watson, T.S. (2020). Flourishing in Christ: Practical wisdom from positive psychology. Society for Dialogue of Psychology and Christianity, Prague, Czech Republic.

Watson, T.S. (2020). Positive psychology and applied Christian integration. Central and Eastern Europe Mental Health Advisory Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.

Watson, T.S. (2019). Preventing professional burnout. Workshop for faculty and clinical supervisors. Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang, Indonesia.

Watson, T.S. (2019). Positive psychology and Christian faith integration. Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Watson, T.S. (2019). Best practices in clinical supervision. Continuing education workshop for professionals in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Pyykkonen, B. & Watson, T. (2019). From trauma to wellness. Continuing education workshop for professionals in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Watson, T.S. & *Kazimov, S. (2019). Seven practices of highly effective supervisors. Workshop for Eastern and Central European Mental Health Advisory Group, Prague, Czech Republic

Academic Conference Presentations

Baraka, M. & Watson, T. (2022). Social justice-seeking Supervision: Pedagogical practices to promote advocacy and trauma-informed mental health care. Virtual seminar presentation at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies annual conference.

Hathaway, W., Entwistle, D., Hall, E.L., Knabb, J., Yarhouse, M. & Watson, T. (2022). Advances in integration across five domains. Virtual seminar presentation at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies annual conference.

Baraka, M. & Watson, T. (2021). Fostering cognitive complexity through clinical supervision. Seminar presentation at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies annual conference, virtual.

Watson, T.S., Kiteki, B. & Yoo, H. (2019). Fostering ethical practice through clinical supervision: Emerging trends in psychology, counseling, and MFT. Seminar presentation at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies annual conference, Dallas, TX.

Courses Taught

Senior Psychology Capstone
Clinical Supervision and Consultation
Integrative Assessment
Foundations of Integration
Group Counseling
Personal Professional Development Group
Practicum Seminar
Internship Seminar

Research

Dr. Watson’s research and scholarship interests include transnational clinical supervision and the integration of psychology and Christian faith.

Selected Publications

Books

Watson, T.S. (manuscript submitted and under contract). The Client’s Guide to Therapy: How to Get the Most out of Your Counseling Experience. IVP Academic.

Watson, T.S. (2018). Developing Clinicians of Character: A Christian integrative approach to clinical supervision. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Academic Division.

Chapters & Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Fort, C. & Watson, T.S. (2021). Journeying toward a more inclusive integrative endeavor: Fostering integrative leadership through an intentional focus on intersectionality, mutuality and empowerment. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 40(1), 40-54.

Schultz, T. Yoo, H., Kellums Baraka, M. & Watson, T. (2020) Does this apply here?: Ethical considerations in transnational supervision settings, Ethics & Behavior, doi: 10.1080/10508422.2020.1754215

Schultz, T., Baraka, M. K., Watson, T., & Yoo, H. (2019). How do ethics translate? Identifying ethical challenges in transnational supervision settings. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling. doi: 10.1007/s10447-019-09388-4

Watson, T.S. (2017). Assessment and treatment of intimate partner violence: Integrating psychological and spiritual approaches. In Gingrich, F. & Gingrich, H. (Eds.). Treating Trauma in Christian Counseling. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press.

Books

The Client's Guide to Therapy: How to Get the Most out of Your Counseling Experience

"Get the most from your counseling experience with tips from an expert Christian counselor. Deciding to meet with a professional counselor is a major step for personal mental health. But what comes next? Some people are unsure how the therapy process works, some have had negative experiences, and some simply want to know they're benefiting as much as possible from the time and resources they invest. In this accessible, information-packed guide, Christian psychologist Terri Watson provides an expert's perspective on how to get the most out of your counseling experience. Readers will find a wealth of wisdom, including: advice for looking into options for counseling how to find a counselor who's a good fit what to expect during and after counseling how to get the most out of your sessions and the therapy process expert tips on mental health care insights on the role of faith and common questions Christians ask. For any Christian considering or receiving clinical mental health care, as well as mental health professionals and those who make referrals, The Client's Guide to Therapy is an encouraging and helpful companion."

Information on Dr. Watson's book from the publisher. Scheduled release: April 2025.

Developing Clinicians of Character: A Christian Integrative Approach to Clinical Supervision

"Is there more to clinical supervision than our current theories and methods can provide? Whether we intend them to be or not, our mentoring practices are personally formative for supervisees and supervisors alike. Developing Clinicians of Character grounds our thinking in the historic and contemporary wisdom of virtue ethics and grows out of a love for the practice of clinical supervision. It aims to identify and strengthen supervision's important role for character formation in the classroom, in continuing education for practitioners, and in clinical settings. (Visit publisher's page for this title.)

After an overview of the role of character formation in clinical supervision, Developing Clinicians of Character examines each classical Christian virtue in turn, its corresponding professional ethical aspiration, and how we can use the practices of clinical supervision and spiritual formation together to foster character formation for Christian maturity and Christlikeness.

Dr. Terri S. Watson welcomes and equips you to excel in "the helping profession within a helping profession" as you provide clinical supervision for other mental health workers in counseling, psychology, and marriage and family therapy. This book will shape your own character through spiritual disciplines in the classical virtues—and outward in expanding circles of encouragement, formation, and healing.

Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Books explore how Christianity relates to mental health and behavioral sciences including psychology, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy in order to equip Christian clinicians to support the well-being of their clients."

ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award

(The above text is from the publisher's web pages for these titles.)

Media

Research Labs

Dr. Watson’s research and scholarship interests include transnational clinical supervision and the integration of psychology and Christian faith.