Education
- Ph.D. Education (Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment), University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Miss.
- M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Southern Mississippi
- B.A. Psychology and Women’s Studies, West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.V.a
Experience
Garrison brings a wealth of teaching and clinical experience to Davis & Elkins. Before coming to D&E, she was an instructor and the Director of Undergraduate Programs for the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Mississippi and served as the Mississippi delegate for the Association of Marital and Family Regulatory Boards. She was appointed by the governor of Mississippi to serve on the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists. While on this Board, she served as chair of the Marriage and Family Therapy Discipline Specific Committee.
In addition, she was most recently awarded the West Virginia Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative Grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy to support Davis & Elkins College students in pursuing graduate careers in the mental health field. She has served as the evaluator of two multi-million dollar grants: The Community Outreach Stroke Education and Awareness Project and the Child Care Access Means Parents in School project. She has served as co-project investigator for two grants through the University of Southern Mississippi and nine grants through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.
Teaching Areas
- Life Span Development
- Psychological Research and Statistics
- Psychology of Adjustment
- Freshman Seminar
- Principles of Case Management
- Senior Seminar
- Clinical Practicum
Research Interests
Garrison’s areas of specialty include student success and retention initiatives, marriage and family relations, marriage and family therapy theories, ethical practice, and addiction in the family system.
Professional Service
Garrison has a passion for serving the community. She has served as a board member for the following organizations: Appalachian Impact, High Rocks Educational Corporation, Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards, Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists
