Dr. Bianca Watkins – Post-Doctoral Psychology Resident
I am the Post-Doctoral Psychology Resident and currently in training to become a licensed psychologist. I earned my Specialist in School Psychology degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. From this experience, I was able to gain valuable knowledge in providing psychological services in the public school setting. I received my doctoral degree from Texas A&M University with a focus on clinical child and adolescent psychology. I completed my pre-doctoral internship in health service psychology through Virginia Beach City Public Schools in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In September 2019, I joined APACenter and am currently under the supervision of Dr. Lindsay Evans (assessment) and Dr. Laura Frame (therapy). My doctoral training has afforded me the opportunity to engage in group and individual therapy, psychological assessment of individuals ages two to twenty-one, and participate in school-wide intervention and consultation services. In addition, I have provided psychological services in a public school setting, Head Start center, private practice, and federally qualified community mental health center. I am passionate about working with preschool children and families, which has been a constant throughout my graduate training. Due to my training in the school setting, I value the input parents, teachers, other professionals, and the child can offer to create a more holistic treatment approach. I believe in fostering home-school collaboration for children and adolescents so they can have the maximum opportunity to succeed in their endeavors.
Therapy Approach
I prefer an integrative approach to case conceptualization and treatment implementation. It is important to consider the unique characteristics of the individual and how different theoretical orientations can be applied simultaneously. My previous training has focused on evidenced-based cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, behavioral therapy, and mindfulness. I believe it is important to have a firm understanding of one’s client, so treatment can be implemented appropriately. Through this, I hope to provide specific and individualized treatment goals based on the client’s strengths that will accommodate their difficulties. While completing my predoctoral internship, I was able to provide group and individual therapy to students who had significant difficulties relating to behavior, mood, and trauma.
Areas of Therapy/Consultation Specialization
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety, depression, adjustment, and mood
- Parent coaching and consultation
- Anger management
- Behavioral management of difficult behaviors
Assessment Approach
I have always enjoyed the assessment process with my clients. I feel a comprehensive assessment can provide many answers on how children learn in the classroom. I specialize in the assessment of learning disabilities, emotional-behavioral disorders, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and social-communication difficulties. Through my predoctoral internship, I was able to complete a 6-month rotation of providing cognitive and social-emotional assessments to preschool children in an arena setting. I believe the assessment process can assist in providing individualized recommendations to support parents, teachers, and children.
Areas of Assessment Specialization
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Emotional Disturbance (ED)
- Mood Disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression)
- Other Health Impairment (OHI)
- Preschool assessment of cognitive and social/emotional/behavioral functioning
Degrees
- 2010 – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Texas A&M University
- 2015 – Specialist in School Psychology, School Psychology, University of Houston-Clear Lake
- 2019 – Doctor of Philosophy, School Psychology, Texas A&M University
Licenses/Certifications
- Nationally Certified School Psychologist (#46162)