Primary Care Behavioral Health Services

Aviva Health incorporates primary care behavioral health services, ensuring comprehensive care for the whole person –including the mind and body. Your care team, which may include your primary care provider (PCP), a behavioral health consultant (BHC) and others, works together to teach you the skills you need to lead a healthier life, both physically and mentally.

Behavioral Health Consultants

Your PCP may engage consultation with a BHC for a brief visit to focus on a particular medical or emotional health concern. You may also request to speak with the BHC during your PCP visit if you have a concern. After talking with you, the BHC will help you plan any changes you want to make and may recommend a few follow-up visits, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. They may also help you with stress management, problems at home, or in school. BHC’s do NOT prescribe medications, but will assist with medication adherence.

Your BHC, as part of your primary care health team, can help you:

• Create a healthy lifestyle by changing eating and exercise habits, learn relaxation skills and healthy sleep habits, and improve relationships.
• Reflect on harmful habits like alcohol, tobacco or other substances, losing your temper or hurting others.
• Cope with stress, including that which comes with loss, or when living with a chronic medical condition.
• Apply self-care techniques to manage pain, chronic conditions, medications, or other medical issues.
• Develop a plan for addressing suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors like cutting or burning.
• Locate appropriate long-term services like counseling.

BHCs can also help patients with:

• Quitting smoking
• Healthy living (weight management, exercise plans, and healthy eating)
• Diabetes
• Nerves or anxiety
• Stress
• Blues or depression
• Panic, chest pain
• Alcohol and drug problems
• Sleeping/insomnia
• High blood pressure
• Relationship problems
• Domestic violence
• ADHD
• Taking medications as prescribed
• Parenting tips
• Behavioral problems
• Chronic or persistent pain