Dr. Darrah Garvin is a clinical psychologist who offers expertise in treating Christian adults with relationship difficulties, depression, and emotional distress. Dr. Garvin offers both short-term focused therapy and long-term reconstructive psychotherapy, depending upon a client’s needs and goals. She often combines individual sessions with session with family members or significant others.

In addition to her private work as a psychotherapist, Dr. Garvin has been active in the field of psychotherapy in a number of other capacities. She served as an alcohol and drug abuse consultant to Prudential Insurance Company. She also consulted with the Navy in developing an alcohol and drug program that was adopted in naval stations across the country.

Prior to her work with the Navy, Dr. Garvin was the Clinical Director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Inpatient Unit at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dr. Garvin has been awarded research grants and fellowships in brief psychodynamic therapy, human sexuality and alcohol abuse.

Dr. Garvin’s academic background represents a record of distinction in both the Christian and secular worlds. She majored in New Testament Theology at a Presbyterian college, and then studied the integration of psychology and Christianity in her Masters work at Wheaton Graduate School. Following this, Dr. Garvin worked and studied at The Christian Institute for Psychoanalytic Studies in New York. She later received a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was awarded the Shafer Scholarship for Outstanding Clinical Practice.

Dr. Garvin has been practicing as a psychologist at Covenant Psychological Services in Redwood City for over twenty years. She integrates her work as a psychologist with her role as an Ordained Minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church.