The term “integrated behavioral health” is usually applied to the care of people with mental illness, substance abuse, or other serious emotional or psychological problems. Behaviorally based therapies and treatment can be used to treat these conditions, but they often require that the person who is being treated seek therapy separately. Many integrated behavioral health programs do not require the patient to go through therapy first. This type of behavioral therapy is most commonly used to treat people with serious illnesses, as well as those who have developed substance abuse or eating disorders.
Integrated behavioral health conditions are very common, affecting over one of every five Americans, and costing the country about $57 billion each year in health care expenses, on par with heart disease. This condition can lead to depression, bipolar disorder, and alcohol or drug abuse. The condition can also include self-harm, such as cutting or starving oneself. Behavioral treatments are often used together with medical treatments to help control the problems. A combination of medical and behavioral treatments has been shown to be more effective at treating mental disorders.
Behavioral therapy is based on various models. A model is typically designed to treat an individual based on his or her personality type and behavior patterns. It usually combines techniques from psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy, as well as other types of psychotherapeutic treatments. Some of the models include social learning theory, motivational interviewing, social skills training, and group therapy. Treatment methods vary from program to program. In some cases, cognitive behavioral therapy and the combined use of psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are used. The goal of the treatment plan is to get the person to identify and change problematic thoughts and behaviors.
