Overview
The members of our behavioral health team are licensed mental health professionals, board-certified psychiatrists, social workers or health coaches equipped to work as a member of your primary care team with specialty training in the behavioral management of health problems. There is no stigma attached, and services are provided at the same time and in the same place as your other medical care (your doctor’s office).
It’s another resource available to you through Community Care Physicians to improve your health and general well-being.
Now you know where to go, because they can be found right within your medical home. How can you get to see one of our Behavioral Health consultants? That’s easy too. Maybe your doctor will bring it up if he/she thinks this will assist in your overall care. Or you can bring it up and discuss with your doctor. As our behavioral health team works with your doctor and healthcare team a referral from your doctor is necessary for you to see a BHC. Don’t face long waits.
For example, if you visit your doctor and you are anxious, your primary care practitioner will talk to you, but they could also call in a member of their health care team- the behavioral health consultant. The same goes for patients without a history of behavioral health problems. For example, if a patient with diabetes stops taking their medication, there may be an underlying behavioral health issue. Behavioral health is always the first step.
What are Behavioral Health Consultation Services?
The Behavioral Health Consultation Service offers assistance when habits, behaviors, disease management, stress, worry, or emotional concerns about physical, medical, or other life problems interfere with daily life and/or overall health. Services may be consultative, individualized, or provided in groups.
What is our Behavioral Consultation Service?
The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) works with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to evaluate the mind-body-behavior connection and provide brief, solution-focused interventions. The BHC is a licensed mental health professional, social worker or health coach equipped to work as a member of your primary care with specialty training in the behavioral management of health problems. Together, the BHC, you, and your PCP collaborate to consider all of the physical, behavioral, and emotional aspects of your health concerns and help determine a course of action that will work best for you!
What Should I Expect When I See the BHC?
You can expect the BHC to ask you specific questions about your physical symptoms, any emotional concerns you are experiencing, your behaviors, and how all of these might be related. You can expect your appointments to be no longer than 30 minutes and for the BHC to provide brief solution-focused assessment and treatment. In addition, you can expect your BHC to have a close working relationship with your PCP and document within your medical record.
How is Behavioral Health Different from Mental Health?
The services provided by the BHC are simply another part of your overall health care and are not specialty mental health care such as counseling and different forms of traditional psychotherapy. If you, your PCP, or the BHC feel you are in need of more traditional psychotherapy, substance abuse treatment, or other mental health care the behavioral health team will assist you in facilitating treatment.