Irina Watkins, MSW, M.Ed., MS

Mental Health Therapist Irina Watkins is a dedicated and compassionate mental health therapist with a rich academic background and a deep commitment to trauma-informed care. With three master’s degrees—an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from Springfield College, an MS in Sport Psychology from Temple University, and an MSW from Indiana University—Irina brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her clinical work. Irina has experience working with individuals across the lifespan and from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Her professional journey includes working in intensive outpatient settings, community mental health, and providing therapeutic support to children in foster care. Irina specializes in helping clients navigate trauma, life transitions, anxiety, depression, identity development, grief, and attachment-related challenges. She has a particular interest in supporting the healing process between caregivers and children who have experienced multiple attachment ruptures. Trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), intensive group therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Irina is also currently expanding her skill set through training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She integrates a brain-body approach into her therapy, recognizing the importance of the mind-body connection in emotional healing. Outside of clinical work, Irina has supported veterans in a non-clinical capacity and remains passionate about serving populations with complex needs. Irina is under the supervision of Meghan Jarosik, LCSW, and Amanda Gushard-Edwards, LCSW.