Dr. Patricia L. Griffen

Dr. Griffen has held positions as director of Psychological Services for Adolescent Inpatient Treatment for the Arkansas Mental Health Services Division, director of South Pulaski Services for Central Arkansas Mental Health Services, and psychological consultant for Restore Drug, Chemical Dependency, and Eating Disorder Program at Riverview Hospital and St. Vincent Medical Infirmary.

Currently, she is the past president of the Arkansas Psychological Association, former chair of the Arkansas Psychological Association’s Diversity Committee, past president and founding member of the Arkansas Association of Black Psychology Professionals, and a member of the Association of Black Psychologists.

She was appointed and served a five-year term on the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Psychology. Dr. Griffen is on the staff of St. Vincent Medical Infirmary, a member of the American Psychological Association, and listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. Dr. Griffen has been involved in social advocacy work in the field of mental health at the state and federal levels.

Dr. Griffen is a member of New Millennium Church in Little Rock and a former coordinator of missions. She has served in various church auxiliaries including the music ministry, health ministry, and family life ministry. She is the former moderator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas and has served on numerous boards both charitable and professional. She was recently appointed to the board of trustees for Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.

The Arkansas Psychological Association received the Diversity Award from the American Psychological Association’s State Leadership Conference during Dr. Griffen’s tenure as president. Also during Dr. Griffen’s term as president of the Arkansas Psychological Association, a city-wide commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act was hosted and included a cross-section of the community. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Terrence Roberts, one of the Little Rock Nine who integrated the historic Central High School, was one of the honorees, and Brownie Ledbetter, posthumously.

Dr. Griffen has been the recipient of several grants to host diversity conferences, racial awareness conferences, and a conference for parenting African-American children. Her areas of interest include race relations, multicultural psychology, cultural diversity, cultural competency, trauma in the African-American community, and women’s issues.

Dr. Griffen is married to the Reverend Judge Wendell L. Griffen, pastor of New Millennium Church serves on the Pulaski County Circuit Court, and is CEO of Griffen Strategic Consulting, LLC. They are the parents of two adult sons, Martyn and Elliott, both Eagle Scouts.