Patrice Garver, PhD

Patrice Garver, PhD

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Biography
For over 25 years I have worked with children, adolescents, families, and adults in crisis situations, in therapy, to help develop intervention plans, and to help navigate and address various issues impacting the divorce process. Involvement in the collaborative process provides a divorcing couple with the support and guidance of their individual lawyers outside of court. As a Collaborative Mental Health Coach, I am committed to helping clients apply effective problem-solving and communication techniques to resolve disputes calmly, respectfully, and with within the supportive team format. I also can provide time and space for my client to tell their story, be validated, and to help process and identify stressful and conflicting issues. This practice approach helps negotiate mutually-acceptable resolutions, rather than compel court decisions. As a Child Specialist within the collaborative team, I can offer a constructive way of including the voice of the child or adolescent of divorcing parents. In this role, I gather information about the child's emotional state and experience and integrate this important material into the overall collaborative process. My expertise in child development and assessment adds an additional perspective to share with the parents and team. I have received additional training specifically focusing on divorce mediation skills at Northwestern University and Mediation and Conflict Resolution (Center for Understanding in Conflict-Friedman/Himmelstein) addressing effective problem solving, decision making and communication within the collaborative process.