Holds a Master’s degree in dance/movement therapy from Hunter College and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology. From 1978 to 1985 she worked in hospitals and mental health clinics providing direct clinical services as well as holding supervisory and directorship positions. She has specialized training in group and family therapy and has trained colleagues and supervised graduate students in these areas. Her longstanding interest in the body-mind connection has led to intensive training in hypnotherapy, biofeedback and neurofeedback, and an expansion of her practice into the realm of physical pain management. She has published articles about group dynamics and the psychological aspects of chronic pain. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Connecticut Psychological Association, and the National Society for Pain Management.

Prior to her clinical career, Dr. Gargan performed professionally with ballet and modern dance companies and taught high school English and Theater Arts for four years. She has continued to take several ballet and modern dance classes each week, to teach, choreograph and perform, with local pre-professional dance conservatories. She has also presented workshops in movement and nonverbal communication to clinical teams, business teams, high school and college teachers, and seminarians. From 1982-1986, she was assistant professor of dance/movement therapy and chair of the division of Fine and Performing Arts at the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota. Dr. Bell and Dr. Gargan have maintained a personal and professional connection for thirty years. They describe themselves individually and collectively as Scientist/Practitioner/Artists.