Whitten | Complete Wellness

Durwood Whitten, PhD

Durwood Whitten, PhD, is a highly experienced clinical psychologist with decades of experience in providing comprehensive mental health services. Licensed initially in Maryland, he is the President and CEO of Complete Wellness, Incorporated and Complete Wellness Addiction Center, Incorporated where he develops and leads innovative, evidenced-based programs that empower individuals to overcome trauma, anxiety, addiction, career stagnation, and relationship challenges. Renowned for his down-to-earth approach, Dr. Whitten is committed to helping clients achieve transformative growth in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Dr. Whitten is licensed to provide mental health services in the 42 member states of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology, APIT).

Trauma Counselor

As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Dr. Whitten specializes in helping individuals recover from trauma and adversity. He believes that with the appropriate treatment and dedication, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can be cured. His expertise includes working with survivors of violence, war veterans, individuals facing complex emotional challenges, and gender transitions. Through evidence-based interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dr. Whitten provides personalized care that fosters healing and resilience.

Couples Counseling

What people say about working with Dr. Whitten

"I really feel heard in my sessions with Dr. Whitten. I've always felt comfortable in the physical space and in our sessions."

"Dr. Whitten is so down-to-earth. I was afraid of getting a therapist that was 'too fluffy' but I found exactly what I needed with Durwood."

"I wish all the people in my life were as supportive of my dreams as Dr. Whitten."

Dr. Whitten is a Level 3 trained Gottman therapist, offering specialized support for all couples navigating relationship difficulties. His approach focuses on enhancing communication, resolving conflicts, and fostering emotional intimacy. He facilitates couples’ transition from engaging in perpetual arguments to discussing challenging matters with ease. Whether addressing long-standing patterns or preparing couples for major life transitions, Dr. Whitten helps partners build strong, lasting connections.

Psychological Assessment

Dr. Whitten possesses extensive expertise in psychological assessment, utilizing a comprehensive approach to evaluate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning in a variety of settings and circumstances. He is proficient in administering and interpreting a wide range of psychological tests, including assessments for clinical diagnosis, forensic settings, and treatment planning. His thorough and evidence-based evaluations provide valuable insights that guide interventions and support informed decision-making in both clinical and legal settings.

Parenting Educator

With extensive experience as a parent educator and trainer, Dr. Whitten has helped countless families navigate behavioral challenges and build healthier relationships. He has developed and implemented parent training programs that equip caregivers with practical tools to support their children's emotional and developmental needs. His work includes training professionals who work with children to ensure widespread, lasting impact.

Organizational Psychology

Dr. Whitten brings his clinical expertise to the corporate world, specializing in organizational development, productivity, and conflict resolution. He has served as a corporate executive consultant, helping businesses optimize team dynamics, enhance leadership effectiveness, and create healthier workplace environments. His unique blend of clinical insight and business acumen make him a valuable asset to organizations seeking to improve employee well-being and performance.

Forensic Evaluations

In the legal arena, Dr. Whitten is a sought-after forensic expert, frequently called upon as an expert witness in clinical psychology. He specializes in conducting assessments for court use, providing objective, high-quality evaluations that inform critical decisions in family law and other areas. As a trained divorce and child access mediator, he skillfully facilitates solutions that prioritize the best interests of children and families.

Mediation and Child Access

As a trained divorce and child access mediator, Dr. Whitten is frequently called upon to facilitate fair, child-centered solutions in family law cases. His forensic expertise enables him to conduct thorough psychological assessments for court use, providing objective, high-quality evaluations that inform critical decisions regarding custody, visitation, and parental responsibilities.

Research

As the Executive Director of the Complete Wellness Institute, Dr. Whitten leads groundbreaking research initiatives in mental health and addiction treatment. His commitment to remaining at the forefront of psychological advancements ensures that clients receive the most effective, evidence-based care available. Currently his research focuses on how self-care and effective coping strategies can improve physical as well as mental well-being.

Fess Parker, the unofficial "therapy cat" of the office, frequently participates in overseeing clinical supervision.

Career Highlights

Supervision and Counselor Training

Dr. Whitten began providing clinical supervision to graduate-level counseling students in 2009 when he facilitated the creation of a clinical training program in the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. Since then has has continued to host master's counseling students as well as doctoral psychology externship students who need experience with psychological assessment as well as psychotherapy.

Academic Career

Dr. Whitten has a distinguished academic career as a faculty associate at Johns Hopkins University (since 2009) and the University of Baltimore (since 2019), where he has taught graduate-level courses in psychopathology, clinical assessment, psychological diagnosis, counseling, educational, and psychological research, mixed methods research, learning and cognition, and advanced counseling techniques. His dedication to education extends beyond the university and into the counseling clinic where he has provided direct supervision to dozens of master’s level counseling and doctoral level psychology students during their clinical training. His emphasis on case conceptualization and self-care prepares his students for successful careers in mental health. Dr. Whitten’s teaching style is known for being engaging, insightful, compassionate, and deeply rooted in his extensive clinical experience, making him a sought-after mentor for aspiring professionals.

Dr. Whitten began his mental health career performing psychological consultations in the Emergency Room of a Huntsville, Alabama, hospital for possible admission to inpatient psychiatry. From there, Dr. Whitten went on to work for a large group practice performing psychological evaluations on children and adults for cases in the Department of Social Services and referrals from other mental health professionals. He spent a year on the army base at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, conducting psychotherapy for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. Dr. Whitten furthered his mental health career by working for the Division of Corrections of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Eventually, he served as the chief clinical administrator of the Maryland state mental health inpatient prison.

Education and Training

Dr. Whitten holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University (2010) and has pursued extensive postdoctoral training in trauma, addiction, and relationship therapy. He is an active member of professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the Maryland Psychological Association.

Prior to obtaining his PhD, Dr. Whitten held a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Alabama A&M University (1999) and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University (2007).

Prior to his work in mental health, Dr. Whitten worked as a software developer and software project manager. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Mississippi State University (1984).