What is integrated behavioral health?

 

By Andrew H. Jones
Community Relations Coordinator
Sun Life Family Health Center

WHAT is Integrated Behavioral Health?
Integrated Behavioral Health is a program available to patients within Sun Life Family Health Center that provides services as part of their overall good health care. The purpose of this service is to offer assistance when stress, worry, or emotional concerns about physical or other life problems are interfering with someone’s daily life.

WHO is the Behavioral Health Consultant and WHAT kinds of problems can they help with?
The BHC is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Psychologist (LP) with specialty training who works as a member of the primary care team. This team approach allows us to consider physical, behavioral, and emotional aspects of health. For example, BHCs can help develop plans for behavioral change programs, such as smoking cessation or other lifestyle modifications. BHCs can also help with emotional or behavioral problems such as family or relationship difficulties, bereavement, excess stress, depression, anxiety, or anger problems.

WHAT should I expect when I see the Behavioral Health Consultant?
You can expect the BHC to ask you specific questions about your physical symptoms, the 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, in general, and for the BHC to provide brief solution-focused interventions. You can also expect to be seen in the exam room or in a comfortable office at Sun Life and the BHC will maintain a close working relationship with your primary care provider in offering the best overall care. Remember: Your primary care provider remains in charge of your health care – the BHCs primary job is to help develop and implement the best integrated health care plan for YOU!

HOW is this service different from Mental Health?
The services provided by the BHC serves as another part of your overall health care. Follow up sessions will be scheduled as necessary and dependent upon your specific situation. If you request, or if the BHC thinks you would benefit from specialty mental health services, the BHC will provide a referral. Documentation, assessments and recommendations will be written in your electronic health record.0

Sun Life Family Health Center welcomes you to learn more about our Integrated Behavioral Health Department and the services rendered. Sun Life offers continuous and comprehensive healthcare to individuals and the entire family. In addition to providing care when you are ill, we will also work with you to help achieve a healthy lifestyle and help prevent future illness. For more information, call our Sun Life Family Health Center location today at (520) 836-3446.

Tip of the Month: Learn to identify your own emotions for a healthier you!

DAVIS L. PLUNKETT, LCSW

Mr. Plunkett is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW 11772). He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 in Psychology from Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, New Hampshire. He received his Master’s in Social Work at San Diego State University, San Diego, California, in 1999.

Mr. Plunkett joined Sun Life Family Health Center in 2010 to develop and manage Integrated Behavioral Health services at Sun Life.

Born in Methuen, Massachusetts, Mr. Plunkett moved to Arizona in 2003. He enjoys fitness and travel.

SARAH ALDRIDGE, PSYD

Dr. Aldridge received her Bachelor of Science degree in 2010 in Psychology from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. She received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, in 2015. She completed her residency in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center.

Dr. Aldridge is a board certified Psychologist and member of the National Register of Health Service Psychologist. She joined Sun Life Family Health Center in May of 2017. She enjoys learning and trying new things and is skillful in problem solving and responsiveness to patients. She brings a high level of motivation and is excited to be part of the Sun Life team.

Born in Anderson, Indiana, Dr. Aldridge just recently moved to Arizona in 2017. She enjoys playing tennis, running, hiking, walking her dogs, reading, and baking.