Myrla Gibbons Doxey, a mental hygiene practitioner for the Niagara County Department of Mental Health, received the U.S. Counselor of the Year Award from Niagara University's College of Education. It was presented to her by Dr. Chandra J. Foote, dean of NU's College of Education, on Dec. 21.
Gibbons Doxey has served in her present position since July 2008. She is responsible for program coordination for approximately 700 individuals with mental and emotional needs each year, and is committed to ensuring essential services are provided to the most at-risk populations.
As the department's mental health treatment court liaison and co-chair of the Community Network of Care for Children and Families in Niagara County, Gibbons Doxey works to connect children and families to the services they need.
"Myrla has taken the ball and run with it to bring together parents, schools and community providers to engage in dialogue, and she has translated that into action steps for coordinated care" said Laura J. Kelemen, director of mental health services for Niagara County.
Recently, Gibbons Doxey's brought together Niagara Falls students, teachers and community members to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic through the Pizza Box Project, which encourages local pizzerias to include information on opioid addiction and services on their delivery boxes.
Gibbons Doxey also works with Christian Counseling Ministries of Western New York serving as a licensed marriage and family therapist.
