Integrated Behavioral Health and Intervention Models

Accumulating evidence documenting the high percentage of patients who first discuss mental health needs with their primary care physician has accelerated the integration of physical and mental health care to a national priority. Several models have been developed describing how health care settings can integrate physical and mental health care and how training programs might better prepare clinicians to work in integrated behavioral health care settings. This article explores models of integrated behavioral health, highlights contributions of social work and psychology, and describes the training and experiences of social workers and psychologists working in integrated behavioral health.

Counseling Psychologists and Behavioral Health: Promoting Mental and Physical Health Outcomes

On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of The Counseling Psychologist, we reflect on the many contributions that counseling psychologists have made and are poised to make in the areas of behavioral health and behavioral health care. We note that psychologists’ engagement in health promotion and prevention of behavioral, mental, and emotional disorders is consistent with counseling psychology values. We provide a concise review of theories that are widely applied in behavioral health contexts and discuss ways in which counseling psychologists may apply these theories to help ameliorate health disparities, empower communities to take control of their own health, and promote social justice. In addition, we highlight the need to create interdisciplinary partnerships to conduct culturally sensitive research on the bi-directional relationship between mental health and physical health. The article ends with wide-ranging implications and recommendations for theory development, research, training, practice, and advocacy.

Integrated Health Care and Counseling Psychology: An Introduction to the Major Contribution

Integrated health care is playing an increasingly important role in the U.S. health care system by improving coordination of care and reducing health disparities and cost. Despite its promise, the field of counseling psychology has been slow in responding to this trend and in preparing its future workforce for this health care modality. In a series of articles, in this Major Contribution we highlight (a) the rise and benefits of integrated health care; (b) two counseling psychology programs’ training models and assessment methods for preparing their students for careers in integrated health care; and (c) the experiences, satisfaction, and challenges of counseling psychologists working in integrated health care settings.