Superintendent John Cabral is pleased to announce Dr. Linda Watt as the first-ever Director of Student Counseling and Therapeutic Supports for Taunton Public Schools.
Dr. Watt assumed this role just prior to Thanksgiving. In this newly created role, Dr. Watt will build systems and structures to successfully develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated approach to help students develop nonacademic skills to be successful through the utilization of current research and best practices in Therapeutic Supports, culturally responsive teaching, and restorative practices. She will play an instrumental role working closely with Director of Special Education Services Amy Moynihan to evaluate and strengthen in-district social and emotional learning programs and mental health supports, including potentially creating new in-house programs to keep students in their home district.
Dr. Watt has worked in Taunton Public Schools as a school psychologist for more than 10 years. In addition to her day-to-day work as a school psychologist, Dr. Watt spearheaded many social-emotional initiatives, including serving as the primary author of two important grants for the district: the mental health grant for the past two years and the Social Emotional Learning Indicator Systems (SELIS) social-emotional screening for the last three years. Dr. Watt also helped develop the district student support team and the district mental health team.
“The creation of this position was a priority for the district and we are pleased to welcome Linda to her new role,” said Superintendent Cabral. “Linda is a dedicated professional with years of experience, both in Taunton and elsewhere, and I’m confident her skills and leadership will lead to positive outcomes for our students.”
Dr. Watt has been a lifelong advocate for youth and families. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology at Boston College followed by her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.
Dr. Watt began her career in the public sector working for the Department of Youth Services (DYS), the juvenile justice agency of Massachusetts, where she remained for 20 years in various positions. During her tenure, she returned to school to earn her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University. Her dissertation focused on risk factors leading to recidivism and ultimately, commitment to the Department of Youth Services. At DYS, Dr. Watt began as a clinical director at a facility for incarcerated girls and eventually became the Regional Clinical Coordinator for the Southeast Region. In that position, Dr. Watt was responsible for program development, clinical services of youth both in custody and in the community, the supervision of all clinical staff, and completing court evaluations. During her time with DYS, Dr. Watt became involved in initiatives related to disproportionate minority contact within the system and developed a passion for restorative practices.
Dr. Watt is also a nationally recognized trainer, instructing police departments across the country in neurodevelopment, trauma, and mental health in youth and the impact on presentation and behavior.
Dr. Watt has a small private practice focusing on youth with significant mental health and behavioral issues, risk assessments, and supervision. She has been an adjunct professor at Northeastern University for more than 15 years.
When not working, Dr. Watt loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and daughter-in-law as well as her three dogs, Meatball, Ziti and Barry Bolognese.