Behavioral Health

Behavioral health services (BHS) is a core component within the health center’s range of services to meet multifaceted patient needs and ultimately achieve improved health outcomes.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), mental health counseling and assessments, substance abuse counseling, and psychiatry are offered at CHP. CHP utilizes a harm-reduction model to implement and expand intensive outpatient program (IOP) regardless of insurance status by collaborating with community partners.

All patients are screened for depression and substance use disorders (SUD) using evidence-based practices, including the patient health questionnaire (PHQ), screening, brief intervention, referral and treatment (SBIRT) tool, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and Drug Use Disorder Identification Test (DUDIT). CHP medical providers currently work in conjunction with behavioral health providers to coordinate patient care in an integrated approach with a warm handoff.

Behavioral health counselors serve patients in CHP’s co-located health centers, virtually and at outreach sites. The addition of substance use disorder (SUD) and psychiatry services ensures comprehensive behavioral health service offerings are available for our patient population.

As needs are determined, our medical providers make an immediate warm hand-off to connect the patient to the appropriate counselor. Our experience is that when a patient is immediately connected with a counselor before leaving their medical appointment, they are more likely to participate in counseling appointments. 

All members of the behavioral health team are trained in chemical dependency. CHP has adopted several evidence-based practices, including depression screening, SBIRT, motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care. Our vision is to continue advancing our behavioral health program to achieve full integration at each location.

CHP behavioral health providers include licensed bilingual (English/Spanish) LCSWs, a psychiatrist and a nurse practitioner who offers bilingual in-person and telehealth services, giving patients the flexibility to access much-needed services.