Certificate Course in Primary Care Behavioral Health
A Landmark Course
As our understanding of the connections between mental health and physical health increases, healthcare goals become more integrated and patient-centered. For more than a decade, psychologists, social workers, counselors, physicians, and psychiatrists have learned from this in-depth course how to evolve their skills to function more effectively in integrated environments. This course acknowledges the skills of specialty mental health clinicians and helps to translate prior knowledge and experience to the fast-paced, evidence-based, generalist culture of primary care. PCBH includes a range of topics from orientation to integrated behavioral health models, to specific health care issues like substance use and depression to cultural influences on health care.
Our participants go on to become productive and valued team members in primary care and family medicine, helping their practices embrace integration and provide better, more efficient patient care. Many alumni have become integration leaders and change-makers throughout the US.
Download a printable two-page flyer about the course to share with colleagues and decision-makers. HERE
Who should take this course?
Professionals in Behavioral Health, particularly those moving from specialized mental health care to integrated primary care settings. Typical professionals who take this course include clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, licensed mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists.
Elements of the Course
- The program consists of 22 pre-recorded e-learning modules that can be watched at any time and at your own pace; each takes about 1.5-2 hours to view and engage
- PCBH is given four times each academic year, we collect completion data for CE/CME at the end of each session; you must finish the requirements of the course during the session you have registered for to receive CE/CME credit, you have access to all materials for one month after the semester deadline date.
How long does this course take to complete?
The course is given in sessions lasting 12-13 weeks, four times during the academic year, September through June.
PCBH Course Schedule
With your registration, you have access to live, online Q&A sessions with Dr. Daniel Mullin, Director of the Center for Integrated Primary Care. These are not required for course completion, but we strongly urge learners to take advantage of this resource.
Who teaches the Course?
PCBH was developed by Dr. Alexander Blount, EdD. in collaboration with other UMass faculty. During the course, Behavioral Health clinicians partner with physicians and providers who understand and support the integration of mental health and physical health. Faculty in this training program have worked in integrated primary care settings and they offer their perspectives on mental and medical health issues.
How much does PCBH cost?
- $1600 per individual—please note that we do not allow multiple individuals to view the course with a single registration. Each individual must register separately.
- Payment can be made by credit card, check, or institutional PO
- Group rates of 10+ ($1450 per person) and UMass discounts available, please contact a learning specialist
- For our refund policy, please click here for details
- For our grievance policy, please click here for details
Is this course eligible for continuing education credits?
Primary Care Behavioral Health is approved by a number of organizations for 36 continuing education credits. Clinicians, nurses, therapists, social workers should all be able to receive credits. If you have questions, contact your State's licensing board to see which credits they will accept and how to report them.
Counselors and Therapists
How many credits: 36
Approved by: National Board for Certified Counselors
The Center for Integrated Primary Care has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 6842). Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. the Center for Integrated Primary Care is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Note: Each profession has its own continuing education approval requirements depending on the state in which the professional is licensed. To the best of our knowledge, all 50 states accept NBCC credit for most licensed counseling and therapy professions. We recommend double-checking with your particular state licensure board.
MD, DO, NP, PA, MA, RN
For: MD, DO, NP, PA, MA (State licensing boards, including for nurses, may accept AAFP credits, please review with your own State Board)
How many credits: 36
AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by many health professional organizations, including ANCC. Please contact the health professional organization directly about how participants should report the credit they earned Click here to view
AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the American Medical Association as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award.
When applying for the AMA PRA, Prescribed credit earned must be reported as Prescribed credit, not as Category 1. When applying for the AMA PRA, Prescribed credit earned must be reported as Prescribed credit, not as Category 1.
AAFP-certified CME Activities for American Osteopathic Association Credit CME activities approved for AAFP credit are recognized by the AOA as equivalent to AOA Category 2 credit.
College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Agreement Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada are eligible to receive 36 Certified or Non-Certified Mainpro+ credits for participation in this activity due to a reciprocal agreement with the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Psychologist
How many credits: 36
Approved by: American Psychological Association
Center for Integrated Primary Care is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Center for Integrated Primary Care maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
*effective April 13, 2022
Social Workers
How many credits: 36
Approved by: National Association of Social Workers
This program has been approved for 36 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. Collaborative of NASW and the Boston College and Simmons Schools of Social Work Authorization Number D-72385. We recommend double-checking with your particular state licensure board.
Please click here to see approved states
(if your state is not approved you may be able to file an application with your state's chapter)
Note: If you are already an experienced behavioral health provider in primary care and the full certificate course is not what you need, you may want to take a look at the PCBH short courses, which are extracts from the certificate course on specific themes. If you are focused on care management for primary care patients, we offer customizable content in our "Patient-Centered Healthcare" course.
Testimonials
- Great course with a lot of information that is appropriate for use in an FQHC! This has really enhanced my skills beyond the Collaborative Care model originally trained in. Thank you.
- I will be recommending this course as part of our organization's training for BHCs. The instructors, information, and course format was OUTSTANDING!!!!
- I appreciated having multiple ways to learn information (i.e., readings, videos, cases) from a variety of instructors, and the ability to return to the course from where I left off.
- This is one of the best courses I have ever taken. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to put such an excellent course together that will be a huge benefit to so many. Thank you!
- Excellent course. I was very pleasantly surprised by how relevant the material is to my work. I will be using most of this material to help move my large primary care organization in the right direction.