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Dr. Justin R. Watts

Associate Professor

University of North Texas

Department of Counseling and Higher Education

(940) 565-4945

Email: Justin.Watts@unt.edu

Education

  • PhD, Pennsylvania State University, 2016
    Major: Counselor Education
    Specialization: Rehabilitation Counseling, Addictions Research
    Dissertation: Factors affecting the counseling working alliance for individuals seeking substance abuse treatment
  • MEd, The University of North Texas, 2011
    Major: Counseling
    Specialization: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • BA, The University of North Texas, 2009
    Major: Psychology

Professional Positions

    Academic - Post-Secondary

  • Associate Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2025 - Present).
  • Assistant Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2016 - 2025).

Licensures and Certifications

  • Licensed Professional Counselor, Colorado Department of State Health Services. (2022 - Present).
  • Nationally Certified Counselor, National Board for Certified Counselors. (2012 - Present).
  • Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. (2017 - 2022).

Professional Memberships

  • Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. (December 2016 - Present).
  • Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. (January 2015 - Present).
  • American Counseling Association. (January 2012 - Present).

Development Activities

  • Workshop, Best Practice for Mentoring Faculty, University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. United States of America. (March 2025 - March 2025).
  • Continuing Education Program, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certification Training, PESI. United States of America. (August 2024 - August 2024).
  • Continuing Education Program, Internal Family Systems Therapy Mastery Series: Breakthrough Healing for Trauma and PTSD, PESI. United States of America. (August 2024 - August 2024).
  • Other (University of North Texas Faculty Mentorship Program), University of North Texas Faculty Mentorship Program, University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (September 2016 - 2022).
  • Workshop, University of North Texas Teaching Portfolio Institute, University of North TExas. Denton,TX,United States of America. (August 5, 2019 - August 14, 2019).
  • Workshop, Structural Equation Modeling, Statistical Horizons. Chicago,Illinois,United States of America. (July 15, 2019 - July 19, 2019).
  • Workshop, Center for Learning Experimentation, Application and Research Course in a Box Training, University of North Texas. Denton,TX,United States of America. (June 2019 - June 2019).
  • Workshop, Creating Successful Grant Proposals, The University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. Denton,TX,United States of America. (February 22, 2019 - February 22, 2019).
  • Workshop, Productive Writing Strategies, University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. Denton,TX,United States of America. (February 5, 2019 - February 5, 2019).
  • Workshop, Research Matchmaking, University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (April 19, 2018 - April 19, 2018).
  • Workshop, University Forum on Teaching and Learning, University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. Denton,TX,United States of America. (April 17, 2018 - April 17, 2018).
  • Workshop, How to Write Winning Grant Proposals, University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (February 16, 2018 - February 16, 2018).
  • Workshop, Faculty Work-Life Balance Workshop, University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (January 21, 2017 - January 21, 2017).
  • Workshop, Faculty Mentoring Luncheon, University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (September 21, 2016 - September 21, 2016).
  • Workshop, New Faculty Orientation, University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (August 18, 2016 - August 18, 2016).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • AGER 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation, 2 courses.
  • COUN 5490 - Abnormal Behavior : Effects of Trauma, and Crisis Intervention, 1 course.
  • COUN 5610 - Addiction Counseling, 1 course.
  • COUN 5690 - Practicum in Counseling, 1 course.
  • COUN 5710 - Counseling Theories, 1 course.
  • COUN 5740 - Group Counseling Theories and Procedures, 1 course.
  • COUN 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation, 1 course.
  • HLSR 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation, 3 courses.
  • RHAB 2000 - Recovery Seminar, 1 course.
  • RHAB 3975 - Addictions, 7 courses.
  • RHAB 5125 - Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling Models, 5 courses.
  • RHAB 5719 - Trauma and Crisis Intervention in Rehabilitation Counseling, 3 courses.
  • RHAB 5722 - Advanced Counseling Techniques in Rehabilitation Counseling, 1 course.
  • RHAB 5723 - Group Work and the Rehabilitation Process, 18 courses.
  • RHAB 5735 - Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling Models, 9 courses.
  • RHAB 5812 - Internship in Rehabilitation, 2 courses.
  • RHAB 5900 - Special Problems, 3 courses.
  • RHAB 5950 - Master's Thesis, 2 courses.

Directed Student Learning

  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Counseling and Higher Education. (2024).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Individual counseling impacts the recovery of adult drug court participants with a history of child maltreatment," Counseling and Higher Education. (2024 - 2025).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Perceptions of Students in Collegiate Recovery Programs," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (September 21, 2018 - November 2023).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Rehabilitation and Health Services. (August 2019 - 2021).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Examining resilience among adolescents with intellectual disabilities and child maltreatment histories," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (August 2020 - August 2021).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, "Examining alcohol use among sorority women," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (January 13, 2020 - September 2020).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Perception of Falls and Confidence in Self-Management of Falls among Older Adults," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (January 2020 - March 2020).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study, "Addressing Post-Graduation Needs of University Students in Recovery," Counseling and Higher Education. (July 2019 - August 2019).
  • Doctoral Comprehensive Exam Member or Grader, Rehabilitation and Health Services. (June 2019 - August 2019).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study (Honors Contract), Biological Sciences. (September 2018 - December 2018).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study (Honors Contract), Psychology. (September 2018 - December 2018).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study, "Binge eating disorders among African American Women," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (June 2017 - July 2018).
  • Undergraduate Honors Thesis, "Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Post-Secondary Students: Considerations for College Administration," Honors College. (November 2017 - May 2018).

Awards and Honors

  • Leadership Fellow, University of North Texas Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Success. (August 2023).
  • Child-Maltreatment Training Institute Early Career/Transitioning Scholars Award, John Jay College of the City University of New York. (July 2021).
  • Mean Green Faculty Spotlight, University of North Texas Athletics. (September 28, 2019).
  • New Career in Rehabilitation Education Award, National Council on Rehabilitation Education. (February 1, 2018).
  • University of North Texas Honors Day Faculty Recognition, University of North Texas. (April 21, 2017).
  • University of North Texas Thank A Teacher, Center for Learning Enhancement, Assessment and Redesign. (December 2016).
  • Penn State College of Education Dissertation Research Initiation Grant award, Penn State. (October 2015).
  • American Mental Health Counseling Association Foundation Dissertation Research Scholarship, American Mental Health Counseling Association. (May 2015).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book Chapter

  • Mpofu, E., McDaniels, B.W., Watts, J. (2022). Trauma Survivorship and Disability. Trauma Counseling: Theories and Interventions for Managing Trauma, Stress, Crisis, and Disaster (2nd ed.).
  • Watts, J., McDaniels, B.W., Rivera, S., Resiak, D., Mpofu, E., Redwine, S. (2021). Community Substance Use Safety. Sustainable Community Health. 201-237. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Watts, J., Mpofu, E., Li, Q., Cortez, V., Bayina, G. (2021). Community Mental Health Resourcing. Sustainable Community Health. 239-269. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • O'Sullivan, D., Cambria, A., Gray, J., Watts, J.R. (2019). Assessment of substance use disorders from an ecological and trauma-informed lens. Assessment in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. New York, NY, Springer.
  • Mpofu, E., Watts, J.R., Li, Q., Ngozi, C., Igbeka, P. (2019). Community-based Mental Health Counseling, Recovery Models, and Multidisciplinary Collaboration.. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicing in Integrated Systems of Care. New York, NY, Springer.
  • Watts, J.R., Xiao, Y.A., Deirdre, O. (2015). Pick it up. Group work experts share their favorite activities for the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.

    • Journal Article

  • Kim, J., Oh, S., Kim, I., Watts, J.R. (2026). Self-stigma of help-seeking after adverse childhood experiences: Event centrality and posttraumatic cognitions. Journal of Counseling and Development.
  • Watts, J.R., Warwick, L.A., Ahmadi, A., Echoles, T. (2026). Childhood Psychological Maltreatment as a Predictor of Diminished Life Satisfaction in Early Adulthood. Journal of Counseling and Development.
  • Watts, J.R., Liu, Y., Boren, C. (2025). Child maltreatment as a risk factor for bullying: Implications for school counselors. Counseling Scholarship and Practice in Educational Communities.
  • Watts, J.R., Kim, J., Warwick, L. (2025). Post-traumatic appraisals mediate the relationship between childhood psychological abuse and complex PTSD symptom severity. Journal of Counseling and Development.
  • Watts, J.R., Warwick, L., Huang, Y., Rackley, P. (2025). The impact of child maltreatment type and severity on complex PTSD symptoms in young adults. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma.
  • Benavides, A., Aggarwal, J., Carey, C., Watts, J.R., Washington, F. (2025). Substance use and rural homelessness in Texas communities: The need for supportive services. Journal of Public Management and Social Policy.
  • Watts, J.R., Lazzareschi, N., Warwick, L., Gaa, M. (2024). PTSD symptoms in post-secondary students exposed to childhood psychological abuse: Exploring the role of negative meta-emotions. Journal of Counseling and Development.
  • Watts, J.R., Chumbler, N., Castleberry, J., Lazzareschi, N. (2024). Trauma exposure, suicidality, and symptom severity among young adults seeking counseling reporting childhood emotional abuse. Journal of Mental Health Counseling. 46 (2) 114-133.
  • Watts, J., Scarton, C., Chumbler, N., With, E., Knapp-Grosz, T., Ousby, S. (2023). Disparities in suicidal behaviors and mental health issues gender minority college students. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy.
  • O'Sullivan, D., Kim, I., Hannah, J., Watts, J.R., O'Shea, A. (2023). The impacts of problem parenting on college student mental health: A pilot study. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy. Routledge.
  • Watts, J., Lazzareschi, N., , O'Sullivan, D. (2023). Childhood psychological abuse, sense of self, and PTSD symptoms in emerging adulthood. Journal of Counseling and Development. 101 96-105.
  • Watts, J.R., Chumbler, N., Sharma, R., Baniya, G. (2022). Examining the mental health needs of post-secondary students with child-maltreatment histories seeking campus counseling services. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy.
  • Watts, J. (2022). Investigating the influence of childhood emotional maltreatment and neglect on sense of coherence in adulthood. Journal of Mental Health Counseling.
  • Parker, L., Deirdre, O., Watts, J.R. (2021). Evaluation of a community-based harm reduction intervention aimed at adjudicated college students. Journal of Drug Education. 18.
  • Watts, J., Leeman, M., O'Sullivan, D., Castleberry, J., Bayina, G. (2021). Childhood emotional maltreatment and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the context of centrality of the event and intrusive rumination. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin. 64 (2) 108-117. Sage.
  • Reed, B., Almaguer-Botero, A., Grizzell, S., Watts, J.R. (2020). Collegiate Recovery Programs: Helping College Students in Recovery Succeed. Rehabilitation Research, Policy and Education. 34 (2) 58-72.
  • Watts, J.R., O'Sullivan, D., Panlillio, C., Daniels, A. (2020). Childhood emotional abuse and maladaptive coping in adults seeking treatment for substance use disorders. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling. 41 18-34.
  • Tu, W., Yan, M., Li, Q., Watts, J.R. (2019). Attitudes toward disabilities among students in college settings: A multidimensional scaling analysis with biplot. Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling. 25 79-95.
  • Tu, W., Watts, J.R., Yang, C., Li, Q., Umucu, E., Marini, I. (2019). The effect of empathy on stigma toward students with substance use disorders in college settings. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling. 50 (4) 311-330.
  • Watts, J., Tu, W., O'Sullivan, D. (2019). The Impact of Self-Stigma on Positive Vocational Outcome Expectations for Students Participating in Collegiate Recovery Programs: An exploratory investigation. Journal of College Counseling. 22 240-255.
  • O'Sullivan, D., Watts, J.R., Strauser, D. (2019). Trauma-sensitive rehabilitation counseling: Paradigms and principles. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 51 299-312.
  • Watts, J., Chowdhury, D., Holloway, L. (2018). Success in collegiate recovery programs: Results from a phenomenological investigation. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly. 37 (2) 163-180.
  • Watts, J.R., O'Sullivan, D., Shenk, C. (2018). Child maltreatment severity, chronic substance abuse, and disability status. Rehabilitation Psychology. 63 (2) 313-323. American Psychological Association.
  • Watts, J., O'Sullivan, D., Chatters, S. (2018). Strengthening the working alliance for clients with substance use disorders and child-maltreatment histories. Journal of Mental Health Counseling. 40 (1) 58-74.
  • O'Sullivan, D., Xiao, Y., Watts, J. (2017). Recovery capital and quality of life in stable recovery from addiction. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin. 1 1-13.
  • O'Sullivan, D., Watts, J.R., Xiao, Y.A., Bates, J. (2016). Refusal self-efficacy among Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery peer support members by affiliation length and meeting frequency. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling. 37 (2) 87-101. Wiley.
  • O'Sullivan, D., Blum, J., Watts, J.R., Bates, J. (2015). SMART Recovery: Continuing care considerations for Rehabilitation Counselors. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin. 58 (4) 203-216.
  • Carver, K.S., Hayslip, B., Gilley, A., Watts, J.R. (2014). Influences on grief among parentally bereaved adults. Omega -- Journal of Death and Dying. 69 105-116.

Presentations Given

    Invited Talk

  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Annual Conference, Building bridges: Exploring the impact of childhood trauma on developmental pathways and the ethical foundations of trauma informed practices, College of Health Professions, United States of America. (2024).
  • Watts, J.R. (Author), Association for People Supporting Employment, Child maltreatment and its impact across the lifespan: Applying trauma informed principles in rehabilitation counseling, Galveston, Texas, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association Conference, Rehabilitation counseling strategies using trauma-informed care, Texas Rehabilitation Association, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), University of North Texas Recovery to Practice Summer Training Series, Breaking the cycle: Unraveling substance use disorders, trauma, and child maltreatment: Best practices for addiction professionals, UNT Recovery to Practice, Online, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).

    • Lecture

  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), Recovery to Practice Training Conference, Introduction to Trauma Informed Care, UNT, Dallas, TX, United States of America. (2016).

    • Oral Presentation

  • Levingston, B.D. (Presenter), Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author), Texas Workforce Solutiond - VR Services North Central Texas Eunit End of the Year Celebration, Ethics of Self-Care, Texas Workforce Solutions, Weatherford, TX, United States of America. (2022).
  • Warwick, L. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J.R. (Author), Oregon Counseling Association State Conference, A research synthesis of Complex PTSD: Implications for professional practice, Portland, OR, United States of America. (2026).
  • Watts, J.R. (Author), Huang, Y. (Author & Presenter), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, The essentials of trauma informed supervision in substance use counseling: Practical applications to enhance client outcomes and improve counselor wellbeing, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America. (2025).
  • Matkin, K. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J.R. (Author), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Teaching group counseling in an online environment: Key considerations for counselor educators, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America. (2025).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), National Rehabilitation Educators Conference, Rehabilitation and the Recovery to Practice Initiative, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Online, United States of America. (2020 - 2020).

    • Panel Presentation

  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), University of North Texas Bilingual and Trauma Informed Integrated Care Project, Integrated care and inter-professional teams, Frisco Texas, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), McDaniels, B. (Author & Presenter), Virtual Spring Conference of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Challenges and opportunities associated with the shift to online rehabilitation counseling education., NCRE, Virtual, United States of America. (2021).

    • Paper

  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), Lazzareschi, N. (Author & Presenter), American Counseling Association, Childhood psychological maltreatment: Essentials for evidenced-based counseling, Toronto Canada, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), American Counseling Association Annual Conference, Childhood emotional abuse: Recognizing factors that promote maladaptive coping, American Counseling Association, Remote, United States of America. (2021 - 2021).
  • O'Sullivan, D. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), Strauser, D. (Author & Presenter), National Rehabilitation Educators Conference, Trauma-Sensitive Rehabilitation Counseling: Paradigms and Principles, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Online, United States of America. (2020 - 2020).
  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), Tu, W. (Author), O'Sullivan, D. (Author), Association for Recovery in Higher Education, The Impact of Self-Stigma on Positive Vocational Outcome Expectations for Students Participating in Collegiate Recovery Programs: An Exploratory Investigation, Association for Recovery in Higher Education, Houston, Texas, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), O'Sullivan, D. (Author & Presenter), 5th Annual Recovery Conference, Factors Influencing the Working Alliance in Substance Use Treatment, Office of Substance Misuse and Mental Health Recovery Research, University of North Texas, United States of America. (2017 - 2017).
  • Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), O'Sullivan, D. (Author & Presenter), American Mental Health Counselors Association, Factors Influencing the Working Alliance in Substance Use Disorder Treatment, American Mental Health Counselors Assocication, Washington D.C., United States of America. (2017 - 2017).
  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), O'Sullivan, D. (Author), Fourth Annual Recovery Conference, Self-Management and Recovery Training: Program Approach, Principles, and Mechanisms for Change, UNT, UNT, United States of America. (2016).
  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), Pennsylvania Counseling Association, Factors affecting the counseling working alliance for individuals with substance dependence and a history of child maltreatment, Pennsylvania Counseling Association, State College, PA, United States of America. (2015).
  • O'Sullivan, D. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J.R. (Author), Xiao, Y.A. (Author), National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, Relapse prevention planning: Findings from an investigation of SMART recovery participants, National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2015).
  • Watts, J.R. (Author), Copley, L. (Author & Presenter), European Branch, American Counseling Association, Motivation and the therapeutic alliance: Integrative treatment for co-occurring trauma and substance abuse, Milan, Italy, Italy. (2014).
  • Copley, L. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author), European Branch, American Counseling Association, Resilience in complex trauma: The role of relationships and biology, Milan, Italy, Italy. (2014).
  • Copley, L. (Author), Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), American Mental Health Counseling Association, Integrating motivational interviewing into trauma-informed substance abuse treatment, Seattle, WA, United States of America. (2014).
  • Copley, L. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), American Counseling Association, Implementing an attachment focused integrative approach for co-occurring substance use issues and traumatic stress, Honolulu, HI, United States of America. (2014).
  • Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), Chi Sigma Iota Statewide Conference, Empirically supported components for treatment of substance use disorders: Defining what it really means to have a substance use disorder, Penn State, State College, PA, United States of America. (2014).
  • O'Sullivan, D. (Author), Blum, J. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), National Conference on Addiction Disorders & Behavioral Healthcare Leadership Summit, Overview of findings from a sample of SMART Recovery community members and comparison of Traditional 12-step models and SMART Recovery for Relapse Prevention Options, Anaheim, CA, United States of America. (2013 - 2013).
  • Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), Smal, P. (Presenter), Chi-Sigma Iota Statewide Conference, Co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders and barriers to treatment, State College, PA, United States of America. (2013 - 2013).
  • Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), Copley, L. (Author & Presenter), Pennsylvania Counselor Association Conference, Finding healing through relationships: Using an attachment-focused integrative approach to treat co-occurring trauma and substance use issues, State College, PA, United States of America. (2013 - 2013).

    • Poster

  • Johnathon, K. (Author & Presenter), David, R. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), Association for Recovery in Higher Education, Peer Support Among Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Association for Recovery in Higher Education, Houston, TX, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • O'Sullivan, D. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), Annual National Rehabilitation Educators Conference, Child Maltreatment, Substance Abuse and Disability, National Council on Rehabilitation, Anaheim, CA, United States of America. (2017 - 2017).
  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), International Symposium for Contemplative Studies, Addiction from a bio-behavioral psycho-social perspective. Using mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing to understand and treat addictive behaviors, Boston, MA, United States of America. (2014).
  • Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), Copley, L. (Author & Presenter), American Counseling Association, Constructing an integrative training approach for substance abuse counselors, Honolulu, HI, United States of America. (2014).
  • O'Sullivan, D. (Author & Presenter), Blum, J. (Author), Watts, J. (Author), National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Who facilitates and who attends SMART recovery meetings?, San Francisco, CA, United States of America. (2013 - 2013).

    • Symposium

  • Copley, L. (Panelist), Watts, J.R. (Panelist), Scarton, C. (Panelist), International Symposium for Contemplative Studies, Mindfulness, compassion, and the therapeutic presence: Utilizing contemplative studies in clinical mental health counseling, Boston, MA, United States of America. (2014).

    • Webinar

  • Watts, J.R. (Author & Presenter), Statewide Training for Texas State Supported Living Centers, Transforming care: Applying trauma-informed principles in state supported living centers, United States of America. (2025).

Media Contributions

    Newspaper

  • "Hoax or not: Some Denton ISD parents feared gun violence had come to campus amid threats," Denton Record Chronicle. (2023).
  • "No way to put this on a scale: US overdose deaths increased during pandemic," Denton Record Chronicle. (2021).
  • "Opiate/Opioid Epidemic," North Texas Daily. (2018).
  • "UNT Professor and cancer survivor will take on the runway at annual cancer benefit," Denton Record Chronicle. (January 2018).
  • "How to be one of the cool kids and make New Year’s resolutions stick," The Dallas Morning News. (December 2016).

    • TV

  • "Understanding addiction and recovery," North Texas Daily Newscast. (2018).

Contracts, Grants, Sponsored Research

    Grant - Research

  • Watts, J.R., "Breaking the Cycle of Abuse: A Pilot Study Investigating the Impact of Child Maltreatment on Maternal Parenting and Developing Interventions for Positive Change," sponsored by University of North Texas Office of Research Development, University of North Texas, $9260 Funded. (2024 - 2025).
  • Hull, D. (Principal), Cartwright, A.D. (Supporting), Contractor, A. (Supporting), Watts, J.R. (Supporting), Middlemiss, W. (Supporting), "Intercultural Learning for Counseling and Psychology. Exposure to Non-WEIRD Practices in Jamaica," sponsored by UNT International, University of North Texas, $2000 Funded. (2021 - 2022).
  • Watts, J.R., "Research funding utilized to explore the impact of childhood emotional abuse on suicidal behaviors and mental health," sponsored by The Office of Faculty Success, University of North Texas, $2800 Funded. (2021 - 2021).
  • Watts, J.R. (Principal), "National Collegiate Athletic Association Choices Grant," sponsored by National Collegiate Athletic Association, Other, $29845 Funded. (2017 - 2020).
  • Watts, J., "Office of Faculty Success Micro Grant," sponsored by University of North Texas Office of Faculty Success, University of North Texas, $1500 Funded. (2019 - 2019).
  • Garland, P.H. (Other), Sharma, R. (Principal), "A Study of Training and Service gaps in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) in Texas," sponsored by University of Texas at Austin, ST, Funded. (2020 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R. (Principal), "A Study of Training and Service gaps in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) in Texas," sponsored by University of Texas at Austin, ST, Funded. (2020 - 2021).
  • Watts, J.R. (Principal), "National Collegiate Athletic Association Choices Grant," sponsored by National Collegiate Athletic Association, Other, Funded. (2017 - 2020).
  • Watts, J.R. (Principal), "University of North Texas R.E.A.L Choices Program," sponsored by National Collegiate Athletic Association, NFP, Funded. (2017 - 2020).

    • Grant - Service

  • Catalano, D.E. (Principal), "Long-Term Training: Rehabilitation Counseling," sponsored by U.S. Department of Education, FED, Funded. (2015 - 2020).

    • Grant - Teaching

  • Levingston, B.D. (Co-Principal), Catalano, D.E. (Principal), "Long term training program in rehabilitation counseling 84.129B," sponsored by U.S. Department of Education, FED, Funded. (2019 - 2024).

    • Sponsored Research

  • Sharma, R. (Principal), Watts, J. (Co-Principal), "A study of gaps in training and barriers in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care in Texas," sponsored by Addiction Technology Research Center at UT Austin, Regional, $11100 Funded. (2021 - 2021).

Service

University Service

  • Program Coordinator, Department of Counseling and Higher Education. (2025 - Present).
  • Chairperson, Department of Counseling and Higher Education Personnel Affairs Committee (PAC). (2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Department of Counseling and Higher Education Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee. (2025 - Present).
  • Faculty Mentor, Office of Faculty Success. (2023 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Institutional Review Board (IRB). (2017 - Present).

Public Service

  • Discussant, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Advocacy. (2025 - Present).
  • Other (Participant/Model), American Cancer Society. Denton, TX. (November 14, 2017 - January 26, 2018).
  • Guest Speaker, The Dallas Morning News. Denton, Texas. (December 15, 2016 - December 15, 2016).

Professional Service

  • Committee Member, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Teaching Committee. (2025 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Substance Use and Misuse. (2025 - Present).
  • Editorial Review Board Member, Journal of Counseling and Development. (August 2023 - Present).
  • Editorial Review Board Member, Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling. (February 2021 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. (September 2020 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. (May 2019 - Present).