Behavioral Health Education & Training

We are excited to have students involved at all levels of our program. After an initial period of intensive training on the behavioral health consultant model, associated assessment and intervention skills, and crisis management procedures, students will be placed in clinics as Behavioral Health Consultants where they
will meet with patients and consult with primary care providers (PCPs). Our Behavioral Health staff includes more than a dozen full-time psychologists who provide collaborative care at our health centers and supervision for our interns.

Patients are referred to Behavioral Health for all types of behavioral issues, including medical problems such as coping with chronic illnesses, like diabetes, obesity, chronic pain, lifestyle modification regarding exercise, diet, and smoking cessation, and psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and a whole range of mental health disorders. Many patients are also seen for subclinical problems such as stress management, parent-child problems, or medication nonadherence. 

Behavioral Health students will be involved with brief patient assessments, developing a treatment plan, and coordinating that plan with the primary care provider. We train our students throughout the year in relevant behavior change theories such as cognitive-behavioral, motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy, and group approaches. We also engage in preventive activities such as parenting education and stress management classes. Patients seen at HealthPoint vary and can include low-income, uninsured populations as well as refugees and immigrants.