Overview
The integrated behavioral health experience provides training in the competencies required to work effectively within primary health care and other medical settings, preparing students to work as behavioral consultants to both patients and medical staff.
Our integrated behavioral health training includes didactic coursework as well as practica in primary care health delivery settings. After appropriate coursework, students are placed in primary healthcare settings where they provide on-site services to primary healthcare patients. Basic services provided include focused interventions for depression and anxiety, chronic illness management training, assistance in health behavior change, and assistance with adherence to medical recommendations.
IBH Areas of Focus
Health Behavior Change
Increasing healthy behaviors and eliminating unhealthy behavior patterns is critical to long-term prevention of chronic medical conditions and the management of chronic conditions when they occur. Facilitating health behavior change is an essential component of behavioral consultation in primary care settings. Our training encompasses primary areas of health behavior change, including tobacco cessation, weight management, pain management, sleep hygiene, fatigue management, substance use, stress management, and trauma-based care.
Interdisciplinary Interaction
We prepare our students to work effectively with all types of health care providers. In the behavioral consultation model, students work side-by-side with physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, and case managers to improve patient care. Our training also involves increasing communication within the medical setting, providing self-care programs for medical staff, and team-building activities.
Evidence-based Practice
We emphasize the use of evidence-based interventions, including patient education materials, well-researched health behavior change procedures, specific skills training, and motivational interviewing techniques.
Focused Consultation and Interventions
Working in medical settings involves a faster pace and more focused patient interaction. We train our students to quickly evaluate and provide basic interventions to patients on the same day they are seen by the primary medical care provider.
Emphasis Area Curriculum
The Integrated Behavioral Health curriculum provides advanced training in the assessment and treatment of psychological and behavioral issues in patients who have physical health problems and co-occurring mental health conditions. Students are trained in the unique elements of the consultative model and consultation skills required in primary medical care and other integrated healthcare settings. Through courses such as Health Psychology, Substance Abuse and Treatment, Clinical Applications in Behavioral Healthcare, and Psychopharmacology, students develop a comprehensive understanding of how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and behavior.
Practicum Opportunities
Our program currently provides IBH practicum training and services at Brevard Health Alliance, Parrish Behavioral Health, Winter Haven Hospital, and Advent Hospital: Inpatient Rehabilitation. Students are afforded the opportunity to work with diverse and underserved patients across the age span who have complex psychosocial and behavioral health issues as well as acute and chronic medical conditions. At these practica sites, students learn the necessary practice skills and inter-professional competencies required to be effective in integrated healthcare settings.
Mentorship and Research
The two primary faculty members available to mentor students and conduct research with students within this emphasis area are Dr. Tyc and Dr. Aragon. Current and prospective students are encouraged to reach out about the Integrated Behavioral Health emphasis area. An overview of their clinical and research interests is provided below.
Patrick Aragon, Psy.D., MBA
Substance abuse prevention and intervention are a solid area of focus and research for Dr. Aragon. Additionally, work with empathy and forgiveness, as well as chronic mental illness, are also areas of interest.
Faculty Profile
https://www.fit.edu/faculty-profiles/a/aragon-patrick/
Vida L. Tyc, Ph.D.
Dr. Tyc's research program is focused on health promotion among at-risk children and their families with a particular emphasis on tobacco and e-cigarette use and reduction of secondhand exposure to tobacco products and e-cigarettes. She directs research on topics related to pediatric health care and behavioral health issues such as sleep, pain management, tobacco control, addiction to social media, substance use, and trauma-based care.
Faculty Profile
https://www.fit.edu/faculty-profiles/t/tyc-vida-l/