Dr. Garvey is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in complex diagnostic assessment, with particular expertise in cases that have remained unclear or resistant to prior evaluation. She earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2008 and completed her residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center in 2012.
Over more than a decade, Dr. Garvey held a specialized role in Colorado in which she was responsible for the diagnostic evaluation and clarification of some of the state’s most challenging psychiatric cases—often involving patients who had not received a clear or accurate diagnosis despite extensive prior care. This work established her reputation for approaching diagnostic complexity with exceptional depth, precision, and clinical judgment.
She began her career in high-acuity settings across Texas, including Parkland Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital, where she treated patients with serious mental illness, dementia, eating disorders, and those requiring electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). These experiences continue to inform her comprehensive and nuanced approach.
Dr. Garvey has lived in Colorado since 2014 and serves as senior faculty with the University of Colorado, where she has been recognized for excellence in teaching. Her clinical work is grounded in the belief that accurate diagnosis is the foundation for meaningful, effective treatment. She takes a thoughtful, person-centered approach that considers the whole individual, with careful and judicious use of medication when indicated.
Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling with her husband and three children, along with yoga, hiking, gardening, and reading. She may also occasionally be joined in the clinic by one of her enthusiastic Goldendoodles.
Dr. Ashley Merritt is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides highly individualized therapy and comprehensive psychological evaluations. Her work is focused on delivering clear, actionable insights with tailored recommendations that support resilience, growth, and meaningful change. Grounded in the ethical principles of integrity, fidelity, and beneficence, she approaches each case with clinical precision, depth, and discretion.
Dr. Merritt has extensive experience working with individuals across a wide range of settings and clinical presentations. She is also an educator and clinical supervisor who for many years has led a team of diagnostic experts for the State of Colorado. This breadth of experience informs her ability to quickly identify core patterns, differentiate between overlapping concerns (such as ADHD, anxiety, trauma, and mood-related symptoms), and provide practical, individualized recommendations.
Whether in therapy or assessment, Dr. Merritt takes a whole-person approach, carefully considering the full context of each client’s experiences, strengths, and goals. She devotes the necessary time to ensure a thorough and nuanced understanding, including consultation with relevant sources when appropriate. Findings are shared in a collaborative, in-person discussion characterized by clarity, compassion, and thoughtful direction. Clients leave with a well-defined understanding of next steps and confidence in their path forward.
Dr. Merritt’s therapeutic orientation is humanistic and integrative, emphasizing a collaborative, client-centered process. She draws from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed practices, Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure Therapy, biofeedback, and polyvagal-informed interventions.This allows her to address both the cognitive and physiological aspects of distress while remaining flexible and responsive to each client’s unique needs.
Dr. Merritt is also experienced with coaching, clinical supervision, and performance-focused work. This can involve more efficient solution-focused interventions when necessary. She also has experience supporting parents as they navigate developmental, behavioral, and relational challenges.
Dr. Merritt earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2018 and a Master’s degree in 2013. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2006 from Colorado College. She immediately fell in love with Colorado Springs when she moved here in 2002 and is committed to the community. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her partner and children, as well as hiking, puzzles, caring for plants, and watching films.