Get To Know Dr. Casey Jo Cottrill: New Director Of BCHA’s School-Based Health Services
Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA) is excited to announce the promotion of Casey Jo Cottrill, PsyD, to Director of School-Based Health Services. Our Brandon School-Based Health Services team operates clinics that offer care to all Barbour County school students and staff.
A licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Cottrill is a familiar face. Since joining BCHA in 2022, she has provided school-based psychotherapy services in Barbour County and served on the staff of the William M. Kester, Jr. Behavioral Health Center team at Belington Clinic.
We recently sat down with Dr. Cottrill to learn about her goals for the School-Based clinics, what excites her most about her new role, and how she views teens as “adults in training.”
Question: What does your new role entail?
CJC: While I’ll continue to see patients as a behavioral health provider at the Brandon Wellness Center, my primary responsibility as Director will be to ensure our school-based clinics provide the same quality care you’d expect from an outpatient clinic. I’ll manage school-based health staff and ensure they have the support and resources they need. I’ll also collaborate with school administrators and staff to ensure we are meeting students’ needs within their schools.
Q: What excites you most about taking on this leadership role?
CJC: I’m excited to have the opportunity to help further develop programs for students. Also, I’ve always been excited about evaluating system processes and procedures and collaborating with team members to be more efficient and effective. I want to find innovative ways to apply school-based health services to increase access to quality care.
Q: What goals or priorities do you plan to focus on during your first months as Director?
CJC: Our school-based Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance subcommittee has decided our goal for the 2025-2026 school year will be to increase the number of well-child visits we complete in the school clinics. I plan to support our team in various program development efforts to help meet that goal.
Q: What’s one thing you want students, faculty, and staff to know about the school-based clinics?
CJC: We don’t have to replace your primary care or behavioral health providers, but we can be your primary provider if that’s your preference. I would also reinforce that we offer a blend of walk-in and traditionally scheduled outpatient services, and we’re conveniently located right inside Barbour County schools.
Q: What inspires you most about working in school-based behavioral health?
CJC: I like to think of children as “adults in training,” and the best place to support them in their personal growth is to be where they spend close to 40 hours a week preparing for their futures. The school-based health model allows us to meet students where they are, advocate for them within the school system, and minimize the time they spend outside of class.
Our Barbour County students are resilient and capable of so much more than they often give themselves credit for. I have such a rewarding job, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Barbour County students every day.
To learn more about the school-based health clinics, request a well-child visit at your child’s school-based health clinic, or download a consent form for treatment, visit the Brandon School-Based Health Services page on the BCHA website.
