Roger P. Watts, Ph.D., MAC, CCJS
Currently:
Calle Los Libres 503 D, Centro Historico, Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca 6800 Mexico
952-843-3884  rogwatts@gmail.com
Formerly:
10501 Cedar Lake Road #305 Minnetonka MN 55305

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Biographical Summary

          I am a retired, former, non-licensed Psychologist with a doctorate degree in General Psychology and a specialization in addictions. I also once worked as documentary photographer producing visual and written essays on people, places, things, and situations regarding the human adaptation to the urban environment. 

          My life's journey has been a tapestry of diverse threads. As a retired counselor specializing in addictions and trauma, I found profound meaning in helping individuals heal and reclaim their lives. Leading group therapy sessions, witnessing the transformative power of shared experiences, and empowering individuals to navigate their psychological challenges filled my days with purpose.

          My academic pursuits at Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, Concordia, and Augsburg universities allowed me to share my knowledge and passion for psychology. I still relish research on personality disorders, neuroscience, and the complex interactions of small groups.

          Prior to my clinical work, I served in the Press Office for President Jimmy Carter on the advance team and developed a working relationship with members of the national media. In 1981, I embarked on a 15-year adventure as a photojournalist, capturing the essence of human stories through the lens of my camera. I worked as a freelance photojournalist in Washington DC and moved my work through the now-defunct Gamma-Liaison Photo Agency in New York and Paris. I produced stories on politics and personalities in the public arena by with documentary news and feature essays for print media by covering the White House, Congress, and breaking national news stories. 

After my undergraduate studies I found the business world, and honed my skills in communication and fundraising, advocating for the missions of non-profit organizations.

          Each stage of my career enriched my understanding of human behavior and fueled my desire to make a positive impact on the world.

          Now I live and thrive in Apple Valley MN. My wife Susan, who is my former high school sweetheart and a retired nationally known civil rights attorney thrive in the world of semi-retirement. I revive skills as both an artistic photographer and a cook, (I once worked in a two-star Michelin French restaurant in my native Boston), and will bore anyone who will listen about my tragic relationship with the Boston Red Sox.

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Education

Ph.D. in Psychology, 2012
Specializing in Addiction Counseling (4.0 GPA)           
Capella University, Minneapolis MN

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M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology, 1996
Cambridge College, Cambridge MA

A.B. in Philosophy, 1969
Stonehill College, Easton MA  

 

M.B.A. in Business, 1974-77 (no degree in evening program)
Northeastern University, Boston MA

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Academic Experience
(classroom and online settings)

Psychology Assistant Professor, 2012 to 2022
Augsburg University, Minneapolis MN
     •    PSY 105 Principles of Psychology (classroom and online)
     •    HPE 115 Addictions Counseling for Educators K-12
     •    PSY 220 Introduction to Counseling 
     •    PSY 220 Group Therapy (classroom and online)
     •    PSY 250 Abnormal Psychology

Contracted Faculty of Practice, 2015 - 2020
Concordia University/St Paul
     •    PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
     •    SOC 358 Minority Groups (classroom and online)
     •    PSY 215 Child Development
     •    PSY 220 Child & Adolescent Development
     •    PSY 230 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (online)

Private Practice, Tutor, Lecturer, Trainer, 2016 – 2022
     •    Contract clinician, Drew Horowitz & Associates, St Paul MN
     •    Small Groups Dynamics, corporate/non-profit ventures
     •    Private tutoring – English literature, English as Second Language, SAT/ACT testing in English grammar &                  comprehension
     •    Textbook reviewer/editor – Goodheart-Wilcox Publishers
     •    Contributing writer – Forensic Scholars Today magazine
     •    Visiting Lecturer – Elite Recovery Services, St Paul MN
     •    Group Therapy training for addiction treatment with clinics
     •    Teaching seminars in Group Therapy 
     •    Lectures/Workshops on Motivational Interviewing

Assistant Professor, 2012 - 2016
Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies, Center City MN
     •    Graduate students for semester-long courses: 
           o    Group counseling theory and practice
           o    Co-Occurring substance use and mental illness (online)
           o    Psychology and mental health
           o    Group supervision of student interns

Adjunct Assistant Professor, 2013
Concordia University, Saint Paul MN 2013
Principles of Psychology and Counseling courses
     •    PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology

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Professional Experience

Remote Individual & Group Counselor 2021-2023
Lakeview Behavioral Health Center, Grand Rapids MN
     •    Outpatient program counselor - Intensive Outpatient Program
     •    Individual and group therapy for patients with co-occurring disorders
     •    Evidence-based 12 Step Facilitation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Motivational Interviewing theory
     •    Crisis intervention, parental contact, and teaching about addiction

Clinical Director, 2016-2018
Gray Wolf Treatment Program, Port Townesend WA 
     •    Created & managed Primary Care treatment program for adolescents
     •    Oversaw the process of an Extended Care treatment program
     •    Supervise five clinicians for implementation of clinical program
     •    Ongoing training and commentary on clinical program

Counselor/Chemical Dependency Professional II, 2007 - 2014
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Plymouth and Saint Paul MN
     •    Adolescent Extended Care treatment, Center for Youth & Families
     •     Outpatient program counselor - Intensive Outpatient Prog. (St Paul)
     •    Individual and group therapy for patients with co-occurring disorders
     •    Evidence-based 12 Step Facilitation & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Motivational Interviewing theory
     •    Crisis intervention, parental contact, and teaching about addiction

Addictions Counselor, 2004-2007 
Addiction Resource Center, Brunswick ME, 
     •    Outpatient substance abuse counseling in rural setting
     •    Outreach counseling services in patient homes in rural setting
     •    Provided individual and group therapy sessions for patients daily
     •    Staff trainer in Partial Hospital Program on Motivational Interviewing techniques with lecture, role play and                  experiential learning programs
     •    Coordinator and counselor with Intensive Outpatient Program

Case Manager/Counselor, 2004
Federal Bureau of Prisons, Portland ME, 
     •    Counseling for Pharos Halfway House program with Federal prisoners in an urban environment
          Provided monthly lectures on criminal thinking and addiction

Emergency Room Triage Evaluator, 2001-2004
McLean Psychiatric Hospital, Brockton MA, 
     •    Provided psychiatric assessments of persons for civil commitment to a psychiatric facility for this Harvard                    University hospital including those presenting with drug overdoses, suicide or victims of abuse

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Licenses

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (Inactive MN #302067)    
Licensed Social Worker (Inactive MA, #3026151)
Master Addictions Counselor (MAC certification) # 508713  

                     
Other Experience

Various Outpatient and Residential Treatment Programs, 1991-2001
Co-Occurring Disorders Counselor
     •    Focus on treatment for persons with chemical and behavioral dependency and co-occurring psychological or personality disorders

Photojournalist, 1981-1990
     •    News & feature magazine contract photographer for now-defunct Gamma-Liaison Photo Agency, New York/Paris
     •    White House, Congress, Federal Agencies hard news coverage
     •    Assignment feature story coverage, numerous print media
     •    Commercial assignments, Innovisions Photo Agency (owner)

President Jimmy Carter, 1978-1980
White House Press Office, Press Advance Team
     •    Press tour advance logistics for Presidential public appearances

Department of Health & Human Serivces
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 1976-1978
Special Assistant to Secretary Patricia Roberts Harris
     •    Speechwriting, travel logistics, press liaison, health/housing policy advising
     •    White House Liaison, White House Conference on Small Business

Public Relations, Advertising, Development, 1970-1976
Director of Public Relations, Bentley College, Waltham MA
Director of Public Relations, Carney Hospital, Boston MA
Director of Development, Seiler Foods, Waltham MA
     •    Communications policy, image development and message crafting 
     •    Full service public relations management, spokesman, media liaison, advertising management,                                  speechwriting,  business development, communications policy development and management
     •    Manager of collateral publications and media – artistic ovesight, media buying, film and photographic services            management

Certifications

Continuing Educational Unit (CEU) provider - National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), Nationally Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCJS), National Association of Forensic Counseling

 

Dissertation
(copies available upon request)

The Lived Experience of a Spiritual Transformation in the Everyday Lives of Alcoholic Men New to Recovery: A Phenomenological Study 

 
Research 
“I’ll never drink again”: The effect of glucose on the use of willpower to resist drinking among abstinent alcoholics.

Publications and Projects

Celebrating Serenity: Spirituality in recovery from alcoholism (Amazon Kindle Book)

 The Broad Highway of Recovery (Amazon Kindle Book)
Keynote Presenter, West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders annual conference 2018: "Holistic Addiction Treatment for Emerging Adults.” 
Presenter, MN Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health (MARRCH) annual conference, October, 2012: “The Spiritual Journey of Men in Early Recovery”
101 Ways to Effectively Tell if Someone You Love is Using Drugs (website due 2025)
Group Counseling: A Primer for Substance Abuse Counselors (due to publisher 2026)

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Board of Advisors

The Chamber of Commerce, Waltham MA, 1971-1976
The Sober Network, Delray Beach FL, current
Editorial Board – Journal of Education and Development, current
Board of Directors, The Oaxaca Learning Center, Oaxaca de Juarez MX

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