---
title: James Watson, PHD, MSW
date: 2026-05-27T18:40:00Z
modified: 2026-10-14T02:01:04Z
permalink: "https://www.columbiapsychiatry-dc.com/team/james-watson-phd-msw/"
type: team
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 5745
specialty:
  - Therapy
office:
  - Alexandria, VA
  - Columbia Psychiatry
modality_areas:
  - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
  - Behavior Modification Therapy
  - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  - Family Systems
  - Group Therapy
  - Individual Counseling
  - Pastoral Counseling
  - Psychopharmacology
  - Psychotherapy
  - Relationship and Family Counseling
  - Solution Focused Therapy
  - Testing and Assessment
conditions:
  - Addiction & Substance Use
  - ADHD
  - Anger Management & Impulse Disorders
  - Anxiety Disorders
  - Behavioral Issues
  - Bipolar Disorder
  - Career Issues
  - Child Abuse
  - Cultural (racial, ethnic) Identity Issues
  - Death, Dying, & Terminal Illness
  - Delusional Disorders
  - Depression
  - Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
  - Domestic Violence
  - Family Conflict
  - Gangs/Cults
  - Grief and Bereavement
  - Homelessness
  - Intellectual Disabilities
  - Learning Disabilities
  - LGBTQI+ Issues
  - Marital/Separation/Divorce
  - "Men's Issues"
  - Mood Disorders
  - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  - Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  - Parenting Issues
  - Personality Disorders
  - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  - Psychotic Disorders
  - Relationship Issues
  - Schizophrenic Disorders
  - School Related Problems
  - Self-Harming Behaviors
  - Severe & Persistent Mental Illness
  - Sex Abuse Victims
  - Social Anxiety
  - Stress Management
  - Suicidality
  - Transition to Adulthood
  - Trauma
special_populations:
  - Co-Occurring Disorders
  - Medical Co-Morbidity
language:
  - "No"
featured_image: "https://www.columbiapsychiatry-dc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CMH.png"
timestamp: 2026-10-14T02:01:04Z
tags:
  - Therapy
  - Alexandria, VA
  - Columbia Psychiatry
  - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
  - Behavior Modification Therapy
  - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  - Family Systems
  - Group Therapy
  - Individual Counseling
  - Pastoral Counseling
  - Psychopharmacology
  - Psychotherapy
  - Relationship and Family Counseling
  - Solution Focused Therapy
  - Testing and Assessment
  - Addiction & Substance Use
  - ADHD
  - Anger Management & Impulse Disorders
  - Anxiety Disorders
  - Behavioral Issues
  - Bipolar Disorder
  - Career Issues
  - Child Abuse
  - Cultural (racial, ethnic) Identity Issues
  - Death, Dying, & Terminal Illness
  - Delusional Disorders
  - Depression
  - Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
  - Domestic Violence
  - Family Conflict
  - Gangs/Cults
  - Grief and Bereavement
  - Homelessness
  - Intellectual Disabilities
  - Learning Disabilities
  - LGBTQI+ Issues
  - Marital/Separation/Divorce
  - "Men's Issues"
  - Mood Disorders
  - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  - Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  - Parenting Issues
  - Personality Disorders
  - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  - Psychotic Disorders
  - Relationship Issues
  - Schizophrenic Disorders
  - School Related Problems
  - Self-Harming Behaviors
  - Severe & Persistent Mental Illness
  - Sex Abuse Victims
  - Social Anxiety
  - Stress Management
  - Suicidality
  - Transition to Adulthood
  - Trauma
  - Co-Occurring Disorders
  - Medical Co-Morbidity
  - "No"
---

### Social Worker

Hello, I am Dr. James Watson, currently, I am supervisee in clinical social work at our [Alexandria, VA](https://www.columbiapsychiatry-dc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/location/alexandria-va.md) clinic. Previously, I have counseled adolescent and adult clients, within outpatient, residential and partial hospitalization settings. I specialize in supporting clients to work through psychological and behavioral maladaptive challenges. My clinical approach is a person-centered strength-based approach where collective ly we can address your issues and improve your overall wellbeing.

Together, we will develop a safe space for you to articulate your thoughts and emotions, through interventions like narrative therapy. Moreover, CBT is a proven approach to support individuals coping with cognitive distortions and fault belief systems. I am great listener and I counsel with empathy and human compassion.

I believe human connection is an important part of the healing process. Likewise, I found building a great rapport is fundamental the foundation for a good client-therapist relationship. I am excited about the opportunity to work with you on your journey towards wellness.