Dr. Dana Waters brings a unique and integrative perspective to psychology, drawing on her 17 years of experience as a licensed veterinary technician, where she cultivated a deep understanding of behavior, attachment, and the profound impact of loss. Her early interest in animal behavior and human bereavement from pet loss informed her lifelong commitment to exploring the intersections of healing, trauma, and resilience.

Since beginning her clinical career in 1989 as a group therapy facilitator, Dr. Waters has integrated psychodrama, art, expressive movement, and body-based approaches into her work. She has extensive training in treating survivors of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, individuals from complex and dysfunctional family systems, and Autistic adults. Her practice and teaching are informed by a strengths-based, neuroaffirming lens that honors lived experience and diversity of neurotypes.

Dr. Waters earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University and is board-certified in Clinical Psychology (ABPP) by the American Board of Professional Psychology. She currently serves as Core Faculty and Associate Chair of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Antioch University Seattle, where she teaches neurophysiology and statistics. In both classroom and clinical settings, she is known for her passion for science and her ability to translate complex concepts into meaningful applications for students and clients alike.

In her private practice, Dr. Waters specializes in working with adults navigating post-traumatic stress and complex trauma, LGBTQIA+ identity and concerns, chronic illness/pain, and neurodivergent assessment. Her clinical work emphasizes empowerment, integration, and creating accessible paths to healing.

She is actively engaged in professional leadership as a member of several divisions of the American Psychological Association: Division 56 (Trauma Psychology), Division 44 (LGBTQ), Division 33 (Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorder), and Division 17, Section 13 (Human-Animal Interaction).

Following her own autism diagnosis, Dr. Waters founded The AWAKE Project (Autistic Women’s Advocacy/Activism, Knowledge, and Empowerment Project) to address the lack of representation of Autistic women in research and practice. The project’s mission is to promote Autistic-led advocacy, activism, knowledge sharing, and empowerment for women and other underrepresented groups. Through AWAKE, Dr. Waters creates and curates accessible psychoeducational resources across digital platforms, including a website and multiple social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok). This work prioritizes accessibility by reducing barriers related to social anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and other challenges, and provides original and scientifically grounded content alongside lived-experience perspectives.

Her contributions bridge academic scholarship, clinical practice, and community advocacy. Through teaching, practice, and outreach, Dr. Waters continues to expand neuroaffirming approaches that value Autistic voices, lived experience, and the strengths that neurodiversity brings to individuals and communities.