I’ve never built an Integrative Behavioral Health Program before, is it even possible?

Yes, it is possible. That is what we do at PPI consulting firm, sit down with you, hear what the vision is for your clinic or practice and implement it. Just like anything, it will take some time to get the ball rolling, but with help it will feel seamless and like the practice started with the program from the beginning.

My Providers and staff are already stretched and burned out, is this something that can really help them and patient care?

The past few years have been particularly stressful, and it seems that a lot of practices are losing providers and staff members. It is fair and wise to wonder if adding something new will help. It will help, because you are now allowing your providers to work at the top end of their license, which will foster not only happier providers but more efficient staff, if there is a program which can offload some of the behavioral health burden from the medical providers.

Is this something that is a billable service?

Yes, insurance companies will pay for Integrative Behavioral Health services.

How is this different from traditional therapy?

Integrative Behavioral Health looks at what is going on with the patient medically. Using the bio-psycho-social model of care, integrating behavioral health strategies for a person’s chronic disease or mental state. It is typically a 30 minute appointment in a clinic, a patient will receive some interventions and practice them for a few weeks or months to see if they help improve their current medical condition. Traditional therapy is often weekly for 50 minutes, looking at past psychological stressors and how that impacts their functioning. Although Integrative Behavioral Health is not therapy, it is therapeutic.

How long will it take?

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances and practice are unique and the length of time program development and maintenance depends on your desire for  program and clinic development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek the program in the first place.