Larissa A. McGarrity
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Larissa A. McGarrity, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital

Rehabilitation Psychology Clinic
85 N Medical Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84132
801-581-2267
Get Directions

Sugar House Health Center

Medical Weight Management Program
1280 E. Stringham Avenue
Salt Lake City , UT 84106
801-587-3856
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  • Larissa McGarrity, PhD is a clinical psychologist in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) where she provides psychological evaluations and treatment for patients seen by the Comprehensive Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery Programs, as well as clinical coverage for the Inpatient Medical Rehabilitation Unit. She also supervises trainees to perform these clinical services.


    Dr. McGarrity is Chief of the Section of PM&R Psychology, leading a team of 8 psychologists across 3 subspecialty areas (Rehab, Health/Bariatric, and Neuro Psychology). She also directs ambulatory operations for the Health/Bariatric Psychology Service.


    Dr. McGarrity’s clinical and translational research program is focused on psychological health for individuals with severe obesity, including the development of interventions to minimize risk factors, optimize resilience in this population. She is currently funded by an NIH/NCATS K12 Institutional Career Development Award. The associated project is a pilot randomized controlled trial testing feasibility, acceptability, and proof-of-concept of a dyadic positive psychology intervention she developed called ReConnect (Reimagining Us in the Context of Bariatric Surgery), designed to improve psychosocial outcomes for patients and their partners in the years following bariatric surgery.

    Dr. McGarrity’s services are available by referral only.

    Specialties

  • Larissa McGarrity, PhD is a clinical psychologist in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) where she provides psychological evaluations and treatment for patients seen by the Comprehensive Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery Programs, as well as clinical coverage for the Inpatient Medical Rehabilitation Unit. She also supervises trainees to perform these clinical services.


    Dr. McGarrity is Chief of the Section of PM&R Psychology, leading a team of 8 psychologists across 3 subspecialty areas (Rehab, Health/Bariatric, and Neuro Psychology). She also directs ambulatory operations for the Health/Bariatric Psychology Service.


    Dr. McGarrity’s clinical and translational research program is focused on psychological health for individuals with severe obesity, including the development of interventions to minimize risk factors, optimize resilience in this population. She is currently funded by an NIH/NCATS K12 Institutional Career Development Award. The associated project is a pilot randomized controlled trial testing feasibility, acceptability, and proof-of-concept of a dyadic positive psychology intervention she developed called ReConnect (Reimagining Us in the Context of Bariatric Surgery), designed to improve psychosocial outcomes for patients and their partners in the years following bariatric surgery.

    Dr. McGarrity’s services are available by referral only.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation -Associate Professor (Clinical)

    Education history

    Undergraduate Major: Psychology; Minor: Sociology - University of Texas at Austin B.A. (Hons)
    Doctoral Training Clinical Psychology, Specialization: Health - University of Utah M.S., Ph.D.
    Residency Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Medicine Track - Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Resident
    Postdoctoral Fellowship Clinical Psychology, Rehabilitation Psychology - University of Utah School of Medicine Postdoctoral Fellow

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Morrow E, Chang JW, Biber J, Miller M, McGarrity LA, Glasgow R, Volckmann E, Ibele A, & Brooke (2020). Prospective collection of PROMIS physical function measure demonstrates significant improvement after bariatric surgery. Obesity surgery, 30, 1898-1903.
    2. McGarrity LA, Perry NS, Derbidge CM, Trapp SK, Terrill AL, Smith TW, Ibele AR, MacKenzie J (2019). Associations Between Approach and Avoidance Coping, Psychological Distress, and Disordered Eating Among Candidates for Bariatric Surgery. Obesity surgery, 29(11), 3596-3604. (Read full publication)
    3. Martinez PL, McGarrity LA, Turner NA, Volckmann ET, Kohler RM, Morrow EH, Ibele A (2021). Self-Pay Payer Status Predicts Long-Term Loss to Follow-Up After Bariatric Surgery. Obesity surgery, 31(4), 1590-1596. (Read full publication)
    4. McGarrity, L.A., Terrill A., Martinez P.L., Ibele A. R., Morrow, E.H., Volckmann, E.T., Smith, T (2022). Role of resilience in psychological health among bariatric surgery patients. . Obesity surgery, (32), 792-800.
    5. Gordon, E. L., Terrill, A. L., Smith, T. W., Ibele, A. R., Martinez, P. L., & McGarrity, L. A (2022). Overvaluation of shape and weight (not BMI) associated with depressive symptoms and binge eating symptoms pre- and post-bariatric surgery. Obesity surgery, 32, 2272-2279.
    6. McGarrity, L. A., Shepardson, R. L., Carey, K. B., & Carey, M. P (2022). Sexual assault predicts unhealthy weight management among college women: A longitudinal, prospective study. . Journal of American college health, 26, 1-8.
    7. Glauser, A.C., Marcus, R.L., McGarrity, L.A., Thackeray, A., Volckmann, E. T., & Terrill, A. L (2024). Physical and Social Health Needs of Postoperative Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Focus Group . Discover social science and health, 5, 5.
    8. McGarrity, L. A., Farnsworth, H., Aspinwall, L.G., Ibele, A. R., & Terrill, A. L (2025). Weight stigma and bariatric surgery: Prospective improvements, psychological health, and weight. . Health psychology, 44, 936-943.
    9. McGarrity, L.A., Farnsworth, H (2025). Weight stigma in the metabolic bariatric surgery context: Current state of the literature, conceptual model, and looking forward. Current obesity reports, 14, 59.
    10. Alexander, A. J., Empey, R., Horns, J. J., McGarrity, L. A., Das, R., & Ibele, A (2025). Trends in utilization of services for mental health and substance use disorder services before and after bariatric surgery. Annals of surgery,