Integrated Behavioral Health Care Training Program

In the Words of Program Graduates Heading link

Paris Anderson, MSW '19

“If I had to describe the IBH training program in one word, I would say the program is astonishing. As I reflect, I am excited that I took the initiative in expanding my knowledge by participating in the integrated behavioral health care training program. Before beginning the IBH program, I had little knowledge about evidence-based research and how to apply the different interventions in the workplace. What I enjoyed most about the program is the seminars, role play, and the many hands-on activities to help us understand and apply each intervention that we discussed: CBT, Coping Cat, Parent Management and much more.

Overall, after completing the training program, I am more confident and much more comfortable to implement evidence-based interventions while working with children and adolescents. I can reference the books that I had purchased for the program to assist when needed. The writing assignments were extremely helpful because they helped me understand how to select proper inventions when working with children and adolescents. Thanks to the integrated health care training program for providing me with the tools that I need to carry on.”

Paris Anderson, MSW ’19

Anne Flaherty, MSW '19

“The IBH program complimented my social work coursework perfectly and ensured that I received a well-rounded clinical foundation. While my clinical classes largely focused on diagnostic criteria, the IBH program provided me the opportunity to learn, practice, and implement evidence-based interventions for a wide variety of mental health issues that I saw daily during my internship placement. The collaborative approach to learning and practicing interventions during seminars ensured that I felt confident to utilize them in session with clients, while the homework assignments accompanying the program allowed me the opportunity to more fully understand the subtleties to the interventions. Hearing from my peers in the program, too, enabled me to learn from their experiences and to appreciate how the interventions could be applied to a broader range of clientele.

The IBH program held me accountable for using evidence-based interventions with my clients and provided me with additional resources and supports for doing so. While carrying a caseload of individual and group therapy clients in my clinical placement, I was able to utilize the information, interventions, and techniques that I had been practicing in the classroom and seminars. I was also able to consult my peers and the seminar facilitators for additional support when thinking through complex client cases, identifying the most efficacious interventions, and in celebrating the successes and challenges of becoming a new social worker. Overall the IBH program went a long way to building not only my skill set, but my confidence level for approaching clients and effectively and efficaciously supporting them as their clinical social worker.”

Anne Flaherty, MSW ’19

What is Integrated Behavioral Health Care? Heading link

Fundamentally, it is the integration of behavioral health, which encompasses both mental health and substance abuse, into primary care settings. This may include family clinics or internists’ offices, or other locations that rely heavily on nursing care, such as assisted living facilities.

Using an Evidence-Based Approach Heading link

Evidence-based practice is a priority at JACSW, and the behavioral health training program is no exception. Students are trained to use evidence-based practices that have been developed and found to be effective in diverse populations, to ensure that the interventions are appropriate for clients the program’s students will serve.

Please note: only students enrolled in the Mental Health or School Specializations are eligible to apply for admission into this program.

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This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number 2 M01HP31358‐05‐00, the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for $1.92 million (100% supported by HRSA funding). This information, content, and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.