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Alliant Faculty Member
Biography

Dr. Elizabeth Watters is a licensed marriage and family therapist who graduated with their doctoral degree in Couple and Family Therapy from the University of Iowa. As an EMDR trained therapist, Dr. Watters specializes in working with trauma and complex PTSD and providing gender affirming services for LGBTQ+ individuals. Dr. Watters‚ research focus on examining the relationships between childhood trauma and biopsychosocial outcomes across the lifespan utilizing quantitative methodologies. They are particularly interested in resilience factors that can help mitigate the negative long-term effects people experience. 

Professional Interests

Childhood trauma
Resilience factors
Biopsychosocial outcomes
Quantitative Methodologies

Education and Certifications

PhD, University of Iowa

  • Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (Iowa #093116)
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Member (#187873)
  • National Council on Family Relations Member (#1191463)
  • EMDR trained therapist
Courses
Advanced Statistics 1
Advanced Statistics 2
Research Methods
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

Watters, E. R., Aloe, A., & Wojciak. A. S. (2021). Examining the associations between childhood trauma, resilience, and depression: A multivariate meta-analysis. Journal of Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211029397

Gamboni, C.M., Watters, E. R., Reed-Fitzke, K. (2021). Gender, Religious, and Political Ideologies among Three-Generation Families: Implications for Family Conflict. Family Relations, 70(5), 1529-1545. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12559 

Watters, E. R. & Martin, G. (2021). Health outcomes following childhood maltreatment for an older adult population: An examination of the biopsychosocial model. Journal of Aging and Health, 33(7‚Äì8), 596‚Äì606. https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643211003783 

Reed-Fitzke, K., Withers, M. C., & Watters, E. R. (2021). Longitudinal and intergenerational connections of self-esteem and depression among adult children and their parents. Journal of Adult Development, 28, 237‚Äì250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-021-09371-7 

Watters, E. R., Gamboni, C. M., Rigby, A. L., & Becker, M. (2021). Balancing contradictory roles: A qualitative examination of women in church, home, and work settings. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 33(4), 354-377. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952833.2021.1893512 

Watters, E. R. & Wojciak. A. S. (2020). Childhood abuse and internalizing symptoms: Exploring mediating & moderating role of attachment, competency, and self-regulation. Children and Youth Services Review, 117, 105305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105305