Merideth Smith, PhD

Dr. Smith obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at West Virginia University with a focus in aging and resiliency and suicide prevention with research training in the Departments of Psychology and Public Health. She was appointed as the first class of trainees to the NIH T32 Grant to promote interdisciplinary research in the fields of behavioral and biomedical science. and completed her internship in Gero psychology at the Veterans Administration Palo Alto Health Care System. Post-doctoral work was completed at West Virginia's maximum security prison under the supervision of Dr. David Clayman. Dr. Smith obtained her Certified Correctional Health Professional status from National Commission on Correctional Health Care since 2016. She has presented at national conferences and published in peer review journals in the areas of behavioral interventions, aging and resiliency, and suicide prevention. As a psychologist, Merideth provides clinical services to inmates with severe behavioral and mental health problems housed in West Virginia's maximum security prison.

She supervises graduate students pursuing doctoral degrees in clinical psychology as well as psychologist pursuing licensure. As the Director of Clinical Services, she provides training and consultation for all mental health staff and correctional staff in the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Trainings have included basic mental health introduction, use of behavioral interventions in prison, suicide prevention, treatment and care of aging inmates, and the treatment and care of inmates with personality disorders. She is responsible for collaborating with mental health and correctional staff to develop and monitor specialized treatment programs for inmates with a wide range of mental health issues, including severe personality disorders or dementia, that focus on best practices and efficient and effective interventions.

Dr. Smith works with clinical staff and correctional systems to review current practices and continuously improve the clinical services provided to meet the changing needs of the inmate, the facilities, nationally recognized treatment standards, and innovations in the field. Current projects include evaluating suicide assessment and protocols, reviewing the effectiveness of intensive treatment for inmates engaging in nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior, developing gender and trauma informed sex offender treatment protocols, and evaluating the use of naltrexone to reduce opiate and alcohol abuse for individuals paroling to the community.