We are thrilled to welcome Kristen Watkins, DMFT, MA, LMFT, RPT to the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences and School of Behavioral Health family! Dr. Watkins is an alumna of our Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy (DMFT Online) program and joins us as full-time faculty supporting both the DMFT program and the School of Behavioral Health. She brings a wealth of academic and clinical experience, having served as full-time faculty at Azusa Pacific University and as a Registered Play Therapist and expert in grief therapy. Her expertise and passion will be invaluable to our students and programs.
Dr. Watkins is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) specializing in grief, trauma, and play-based interventions with children and families. In addition to her Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy degree from Loma Linda University, she holds an Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from George Fox University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Chapman University. As a Registered Play Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Dr. Watkins has presented nationally at conferences including the Play Therapy International Conference and the Vibrant Emotional Health's Disaster Behavioral Health Symposium, focusing on grief, loss, and clinical training.
Dr. Watkins' teaching philosophy centers on creating undergraduate and graduate learning experiences that span multiple methodologies—from therapy and trauma to play therapy. She integrates relational and experiential learning approaches to prepare emerging clinicians for advanced systemic practice. Her commitment to compassionate, developmentally informed care and collaborative education reflects the values at the heart of marriage and family therapy, and at the heart of CFS. We are excited to see the contributions she will make to our department, the DMFT program, and most importantly, to our students' growth as clinicians and leaders in the field.
Welcome to the team, Dr. Watkins!