Practice Area:Child Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Family
Dr. Patrice B.F. Garver is an accomplished mental health professional and licensed mental health specialist in Virginia. Patrice consults with many professionals in the Virginia area, and her services are often sought by schools, medical professionals and organizations, specifically because of her work and training in child development and assessment.
Dr. Garver has worked with children, families, and other specialists for more than 30 years, providing services for families in need, important feedback as a child specialist, providing services for at-risk families and, in recent years, providing services helping families parents and children navigate the stressors of separation and divorce.
The Collaborative Practice provides divorcing couples with the support and guidance of their own individual lawyers without going to court. Included in a collaborative team is a mental health coach, a financial specialist and if needed, a child specialist.
The collaborative practice approach helps to negotiate a mutually accepted resolution without having the court decide issues. As a Collaborative Divorce Mental Health Coach, Dr. Garver helps clients utilize effective problem-solving and communication techniques to resolve disputes calmly, with dignity and respectfully, within this supportive team format.
Education
University of Maryland, Developmental Psychology, PH.D.,
University of Maryland, Special Education/Psychology, BA
University of South Florida (completed Special Ed/ Psychology program), BA, magna cum laude
Training
University of South Florida, Special Education Graduate Program: Learning disability certification
University of Virginia, Learning Disabilities Certification for VA
MA, magna cum laude, Antioch College, Developmental Clinical Psychology
George Mason University, School Psychology Certification
Kennedy Krieger Institute: Family Trauma Center, Post Doc/ Counseling training
MA, Argosy University, Mental Health Counseling
Completed Required Training as a Mediator and Collaborative Mental Health Counselor
Currently continuing in Advanced Training
Professional Organizations
International Association of Collaborative Professionals, Member
Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia, President
Fairfax County Professionals, Member
Steering Committee, 2015 – present
American Counseling Association, Member, 2008 – Present
American Psychological Association, Member, 1990 – Present
Fairfax County partnership group, 1996 – 2010
Board of Trustees for Langley School, Board of Trustees, 1990 – 1994
