Behavioral Health Counseling
WHAT is the Behavioral Health Consultation Service?
The Behavioral Health Consultation Service is available to you at Student Health Services. The service offers help when stress, worry, or emotional concerns about physical or other life problems interfere with your daily life.
WHO is the Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC)?
The BHC is a psychologist, doctoral psychology intern, or master's trainee specifically trained to work as a member of your primary care team. This team approach allows us to consider physical, behavioral, and emotional aspects of your health.
WHAT problems can the BHC help me with?
For example, the BHC can help you develop plans for improving sleep habits, developing stress management skills, and/or other lifestyle changes. The BHC can also help you with the emotional or behavioral problems such as difficulties with your family or friend relationships, struggles with adjustment with a new diagnosis, grief, depression, anxiety, or anger.
HOW is this service different from mental health?
The BHC simply adds another option for your complete health care. You are seen directly at Student Health Services. The BHC provides consultation and brief intervention, not traditional psychotherapy. If you request it, or the BHC thinks you would benefit from it, you will be referred to specialty mental health services. Another difference from specialty mental health care is that your BHC will document the assessment and recommendations in your Student Health Center record. They will not keep a separate mental health record.
WHAT should I expect when I see the BHC?
Your BHC will ask you specific questions about your physical symptoms, the emotional concern you are experiencing, your behaviors, and how all of these might be related. Communications with your BHC may not be entirely confidential, as information will be shared with your medical team. Your appointments will about 15-20 minutes and you can meet with the BHC a maximum of two times at Student Health Services. Your BHC will provide brief, solution-focused skills and techniques. The BHC will also have a close working relationship with your Student Health Service medical provider and keep them updated on how you are doing.