Dr. Gretchen Watson
Dr. Watson graduated college summa cum laude and then received a doctorate in clinical and developmental psychology and postdoctoral training in pediatric psychology. Mid-career, she obtained certification in organizational change management & safety science.
As the head of psychological assessment services for a world-wide military program, a military hospital's department of pediatrics, and a pediatric hospital, Dr. Watson evaluated hundreds of children and families. While serving as a university and medical school professor, she conducted scientific research and published scholarly papers on child development, ADHD, special education, psychiatric drug use, trauma, patient and hospital safety, medical ethics, and other topics. She was among the first to document the overuse of ADHD drugs and effective community-based strategies to reduce the need for psychiatric labels and drugs among American youth. Dr. Watson has appeared on national TV and radio programs such as The PBS News Hour, CBN, CNN, and NPR. Her work has been discussed in popular magazines and newspapers across the U.S. and overseas.
Today, Dr. Watson uses her experience to serve not only to individuals but also to healthcare entities, businesses, and community organizations. She continues to publish and speak publicly on child development and the challenges of the modern mental health care treatment paradigm. She runs a private consulting practice in Virginia Beach.