Primary care doctors provide far more mental health care than therapists or psychiatrists, yet they have little time and limited training for the work. The Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model offers a proven framework for helping by integrating mental health professionals into primary care teams. The model is helping many patients get the mental health support they need — without the long wait times.Experts Robinson and Reiter discuss how this innovative approach is changing the future of mental health care — and maybe your next doctor's office visit.

America is commonly said to be facing a shortage of mental health professionals, with millions unable to access timely care. But what if the access problem is less related to a workforce shortage and more related to where and how mental health professionals practice? The PCBH model helps address the access crisis by embedding behavioral health consultants into primary care clinics and changing how they practice, making mental health services accessible in real time. Experts Patricia J. Robinson, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Reiter, Ph.D., ABPP, discuss how mental health care needs to change in order to be more accessible.

Many people struggle to find a therapist, facing long waitlists and high costs. But what if mental health professionals were available on demand — right in your doctor’s office? That’s the reality of Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH), a model that brings mental health support directly into primary care settings. Experts Robinson and Reiter reveal how this approach is making mental health care more accessible than ever.

Many people struggle with accessing health care and then, when seen, receive care from providers that are over-worked, tired and short on time. The addition of a behavioral health provider to the team can lighten the provider's load and improve the patient’s experience of care. Many people seeking primary care for a specific medical problem are also experiencing high levels of stress in their lives and would welcome a chance to talk with someone who can help with everyday problems of living, such as loss, health problems, relationship problems, and sleep. The Primary Care Behavioral Health model describes the skills needed for successful implementation of integrated care.

Primary care workers are burning out at unprecedented rates, leading to staff shortages and declining patient care. One overlooked solution? Integrated behavioral health services. Research shows that when mental health professionals are integrated into medical teams, primary care provider satisfaction improves and team resilience grows. Experts Patricia J. Robinson, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Reiter, Ph.D., ABPP, explore how the PCBH model can help health care teams pivot from stressed-out to flourishing.

From postpartum depression to adolescent anxiety, mental health concerns often surface in pediatric and women’s health clinics. Some of the most innovative health care providers are using the PCBH model to integrate mental health support into routine care, leading to earlier interventions and better outcomes. Authors Robinson and Reiter share how this approach is reshaping health care for women and children.

For decades, mental health and primary care have existed in separate silos, but integrating behavioral health services may lead to better patient outcomes, reduced costs, and improved provider well-being. The Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model is a game-changer, offering patients whole-person care at the point of a medical contact. Authors Patricia J. Robinson, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Reiter, Ph.D., ABPP, explain how this model works, why it's gaining traction, and how it is revolutionizing health care.