top of page

Dr. Katie Watson MacDonell

Counselling and School Psychologist

Psychological Assessments

Computer_edited_edited.png

Virtual Services

human-psychology-research-icon-vector-26
687562-200 (1).png

Katie's Approach Is...

Compassionate

Collaborative 

Curious

Trauma-Informed 

About

Katie

Dr. Katie earned her Ph.D. in clinical-community psychology from the University of South Carolina in 2019 and completed her doctoral residency at a community mental health centre in Canton, Ohio. Throughout 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 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’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 principally cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), 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.

 

Since 2023, Dr. Katie has been working within the Toronto District School Board as a School Psychologist. Through this position she completes assessments with students experiencing a wide variety of concerns that are impacting their education (e.g., learning and intellectual difficulties, attention and focus difficulties, trauma and social-emotional-behavioural difficulties). Further, she collaborates with students, their families, and the school team to provide consultation and recommendations to support students in the school environment while capitalizing on their strengths and supporting their areas for growth.

 

Outside of work, Dr. Katie is always looking for new recipes to try, spending time outdoors, and being active. She also enjoys spending time with her family and her dachshunds, Lincoln, and Lenny.

  • ADHD

  • Adoption

  • Anger Management

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Anxiety 

  • Behavioural Issues 

  • Child

  • Depression

  • Divorce

  • Education/Learning Disabilities

  • Grief

  • OCD

  • ODD

  • Parenting

  • Self Esteem

  • Sleep or Insomnia 

  • Stress

  • Trauma and PTSD

bottom of page