About me

Hello! I’m Dawnn Rabinovich McWatters, Psy.D. For the past twenty-plus years, I’ve dedicated my life to improving mind/body health for adults and their families, as a clinical psychologist, community educator, and nature advocate.

Welcome to my newest chapter, which I’ve named The SAVOR Project. I teach individuals and families how to savor and grow, using nature-infused art, stories, and images.

THE ACADEMIC DETAILS: B.A. in Liberal Arts, cum laude, Willamette University (1995); M.S. (2002) and Psy.D. (2006) in Clinical Psychology, Pacific University; President’s Award of Academic Excellence, Pacific University (2006).

LICENSURE: Licensed Psychologist (#PY00003711, Washington). Licensed Psychologist, Inactive (#2195, Oregon). Please note: I am NOT able to provide psychological services in states where I do not hold a license or my license is currently inactive.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS:

• From 2007 – 2019, I’ve maintained a small private practice as a mindfulness-based psychotherapist serving the needs of the Portland-metro community and specializing in eating disorder treatment. In previous years, I’ve worked in university and college counseling centers, correctional institutions, a community outpatient mental health clinic, and an inpatient psychiatric forensic unit. I briefly returned to practice in 2020 to provide supportive telehealth services to former clients.
• I’ve led numerous presentations (most frequently, on stress management, general mindfulness, self-care for caregivers, and mindful eating) at local colleges, yoga studios, the YMCA, New Seasons, Wild Oats, and Whole Foods.
• I’ve served as an adjunct Assistant Professor and Instructor at several local colleges, including Oregon State University, a local art school, and Pacific University School of Professional Psychology.

From 2002 – 2018, I’ve trained with both Buddhist and secular teachers of mindfulness, to include Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and other UMASS medical School Center for Mindfulness staff, Dr. Jan Chozen Bays, and Dr. Christopher Germer and Dr. Kristin Neff, the developers of the Mindful Self-Compassion program. I remain deeply grateful to the many individuals who contributed to my understanding and practice of mindfulness, and to various centers, including Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, which invited me into their sacred spaces to explore these ancient spiritual traditions.

The SAVOR Project was born (or rather, germinated) out of the soil of my work as a mindfulness-based psychotherapist, my long-time passions for growing food and teaching, and my personal interests in therapeutic horticulture. Beginning in 2017, attendance at the American Horticultural Therapy Association’s annual conference, classes in horticultural therapy and plant science, and experiences as an Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener volunteer further exposed me to ways that horticultural activities contribute to health and well-being. In September 2020, I was honored to lead a presentation on mindful eating and therapeutic horticulture at the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association conference. I continue to complete coursework in horticulture and urban agriculture, as a lifelong learner.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my biracial, interfaith family and engaging in a ever-widening variety of interests, which include raising chickens, edible landscapes, creative writing, and amateur birdwatching.