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Justin R. Watts

Title: Associate Professor

Department: Rehabilitation and Health Services

College: College of Health and Public Service

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae Link

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

Current Scheduled Teaching

RHAB 5723.001Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessSpring 2025
RHAB 5812.400Internship in RehabilitationSpring 2025
RHAB 5719.401Trauma and Crisis Intervention in Rehabilitation CounselingFall 2024

Previous Scheduled Teaching

RHAB 5735.900Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsSummer 10W 2024 SPOT
RHAB 5723.001Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessSpring 2024 SPOT
RHAB 5812.900Internship in RehabilitationSpring 2024 SPOT
RHAB 5719.001Trauma and Crisis Intervention in Rehabilitation CounselingFall 2023 SPOT
RHAB 5735.900Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsFall 2022 SPOT
RHAB 5719.001Trauma and Crisis Intervention in Rehabilitation CounselingFall 2022 SPOT
RHAB 5723.001Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessSpring 2022 SPOT
RHAB 5735.900Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsFall 2021 SPOT
RHAB 5723.900Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2021 SPOT
RHAB 5723.950Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2021 SPOT
HLSR 6950.018Doctoral DissertationSummer 5W2 2021
HLSR 6950.018Doctoral DissertationSpring 2021
RHAB 5723.001Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessSpring 2021 SPOT
RHAB 5735.900Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsFall 2020 SPOT
RHAB 5735.950Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsFall 2020 SPOT
HLSR 6950.018Doctoral DissertationFall 2020
RHAB 5950.018Master's ThesisFall 2020
RHAB 3975.001AddictionsSpring 2020 Syllabus
AGER 6950.704Doctoral DissertationSpring 2020
RHAB 5723.001Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessSpring 2020
RHAB 5950.701Master's ThesisSpring 2020
RHAB 5735.610Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsFall 2019 SPOT
RHAB 5735.810Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsFall 2019 SPOT
AGER 6950.705Doctoral DissertationFall 2019 SPOT
RHAB 5723.810Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2019 SPOT
RHAB 5723.820Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2019 SPOT
RHAB 5722.001Advanced Counseling Techniques in Rehabilitation CounselingSummer 10W 2019 SPOT
RHAB 3975.001AddictionsSpring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
RHAB 5723.001Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessSpring 2019 SPOT
RHAB 2000.001Recovery SeminarSpring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
RHAB 3975.001AddictionsFall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
RHAB 5723.810Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2018 SPOT
RHAB 5723.820Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2018 SPOT
RHAB 5900.810Special ProblemsFall 2018
RHAB 5723.001Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessSummer 10W 2018 SPOT
RHAB 3975.001AddictionsSpring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
RHAB 5735.610Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsSpring 2018 SPOT
RHAB 5735.810Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsSpring 2018 SPOT
RHAB 3975.001AddictionsFall 2017 Syllabus SPOT
RHAB 5723.810Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2017 SPOT
RHAB 5723.820Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2017 SPOT
RHAB 5900.810Special ProblemsFall 2017
RHAB 5125.610Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsSummer 10W 2017 SPOT
RHAB 5125.810Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsSummer 10W 2017 SPOT
RHAB 5723.001Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessSummer 10W 2017 SPOT
RHAB 5900.810Special ProblemsSummer 10W 2017
RHAB 3975.001AddictionsSpring 2017 Syllabus SPOT
RHAB 5125.810Alcohol and Other Substance Use Counseling ModelsSpring 2017 SPOT
RHAB 3975.001AddictionsFall 2016 Syllabus SPOT
RHAB 5723.810Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2016 SPOT
RHAB 5723.820Group Work and the Rehabilitation ProcessFall 2016 SPOT
RHAB 5125.810Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counseling ModelsSummer 10W 2016 SPOT
RHAB 5125.820Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counseling ModelsSummer 10W 2016 SPOT

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

  • 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.

Contracts, Grants and 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).
  • 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).
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Overall
Summative Rating
Challenge and
Engagement Index
Response Rate

out of 5

out of 7
%
of
students responded
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
    • The course as a whole was
    • The course content was
    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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