West Virginia Psychologist Earned 2026 Citizen Award
The state psychological association recognized a rural health leader for her work in integrated care for families.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Mental Health
On September 19, 2026, the West Virginia Psychological Association honored Dr. Casey Jo Cottrill with the Early Career Citizen Psychologist Award. The award recognizes her contributions to rural school-based behavioral health and leadership in Barbour County.
Why it matters
This recognition highlights the importance of integrated, school-based care models for improving behavioral health access in rural regions. Dr. Cottrill's work focuses on streamlining care processes to better support student and family needs within the community.
The West Virginia Psychological Association presented this award to Dr. Casey Jo Cottrill, recognizing her impact on rural school-based behavioral health services. The selection was based on her performance in integrated care leadership within the state.
The players
Dr. Casey Jo Cottrill
A rural psychologist at the Barbour Community Health Association recognized for leadership in integrated school-based behavioral health.
West Virginia Psychological Association
The professional body representing psychologists in the state that oversees clinical standards and professional recognition.
Marshall University
A public research university that partners with rural clinics to provide clinical practicum training for graduate students.
Barbour Community Health Association
A healthcare provider based in Belington serving the rural populations of Barbour County.
Barbour County Bright Futures Coalition
A community-based organization focused on improving health and social outcomes for youth and families in Barbour County.
The details
Dr. Cottrill, who practices at the Barbour Community Health Association, improved behavioral health access by creating a quality improvement subcommittee for school-based health centers. She also implemented a virtual platform to simplify the behavioral health consent process for families. Beyond clinical practice, she facilitates integrated care training as a practicum site supervisor for 3rd-year students from Marshall University.
Timeline
September 19, 2026: Dr. Casey Jo Cottrill received the award at the annual conference.
2026: Dr. Casey Jo Cottrill was named the recipient of the Early Career Citizen Psychologist Award.
Health Landscape
The recognition ceremony occurred at the West Virginia Psychological Association annual conference, which marks a significant milestone for state-level behavioral health initiatives. It highlights the growing focus on integrating mental health services directly into rural educational settings.
If you or your family members attend school-based health centers, ask your provider if they offer integrated behavioral health screenings as part of your routine care. You can also discuss with your physician how digital consent forms might simplify the process for accessing specialized services.
The takeaway
Integrated behavioral health models continue to be a vital strategy for rural access to mental healthcare. Families in rural areas should prioritize finding providers who participate in community health coalitions to ensure a more cohesive care team.
Further reading
For more on local support systems and clinical advancements, visit Mental Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Theintermountain.
