The Behavioral Health Specialist in Primary Care: Skills for Integrated Practice

This timely book trains graduate-level social workers, mental health counselors, and health psychologists to step into the role of the Behavioral Health Specialist in primary care settings, a role that will see increased demand under the Patient Accountability and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Patients with chronic conditions need psychosocial support and counseling to help them make the lifestyle and behavioral changes needed to prevent disease complications. Behavioral Health Specialists on integrated primary care teams need behavioral health promotion skills and counseling skills to help bridge the fragmentation between physical and mental health care, in order to assist and support patients in optimizing their health. Using rich case examples drawn from typical patient presentations of common chronic conditions encountered in primary care, this book gives students the skills needed to step into the role of Behavioral Health Specialist on a primary care team. It is ideal for health care social workers, mental health counselors, and psychologists training to practice in a primary care setting.