Patricia McGarry

Patricia McGarry is an Instructor in the Department of Social Work at Kutztown University, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Alvernia University, an MSW from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a BA from Moravian College.

With over four decades of experience in Social Work, Dr. McGarry has focused on non-profit leadership and clinical practice. She served as Sr. Vice President of Prevention, Child Welfare, and Children’s Behavioral Health at Valley Youth House, where she pioneered Family-Based Mental Health Services and Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services. Her teaching and supervision include roles at Lehigh Carbon Community College and Marywood University.

• Research/Teaching Focus: Trauma-Informed Care, Organizational Leadership, Evidence-Based Practice in Children’s Behavioral Health

Dr. McGarry earned the Murray Fox Award for her excellence in mentoring graduate social work interns. She coordinates field internships and has built programs bridging clinical practice with community engagement.

Her career emphasizes integrating research, education, and service to support vulnerable youth and families, with a legacy of innovation in behavioral health systems.