Taking Care of the Whole Person by Integrating Behavioral Health with Primary Care

When you think of primary care, annual physicals, immunizations and visits when you’re feeling unwell may come to mind.

But how about help for conditions such as depression or anxiety, which affect an estimated one in five U.S. adults in any given year? We know that mental health directly impacts physical health, and vice versa.  Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can lead to insomnia, gastrointestinal problems and chronic pain, and can make illnesses such as asthma and arthritis worse. Depression also stresses the immune system, and increases inflammation in the body. Ultimately, your mind and your body are intricately related, together making the whole you.

In keeping with our commitment to taking care of the whole person, Avance Care offers expert behavioral health care for all ages that’s fully integrated with our full spectrum of primary care services.

Behavioral health is the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Services can include individual, group and family therapy, addiction counseling, and a range of other therapies. The goal of behavioral health care is to assist and support patients in making the changes needed to enable fulfilling, satisfying lives. By integrating behavioral health experts within our primary care practices, Avance Care is helping to ensure that North Carolina residents know where to go for trusted, evidence-based treatment for mental health or substance use disorders ­– and are able to quickly access it.

Dr. Tad Clodfelter

Dr. Tad Clodfelter, vice president of Avance Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, shares more about how Avance Care’s behavioral health experts serve patients in need of assistance with conditions that include depression and other mood disorders; anxiety; obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD); eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders; personality disorders; ADHD; PTSD and trauma; and substance use disorders, including alcohol and drugs:

How does Avance Care integrate behavioral health services with primary care?

We do that in several ways. We have behavioral therapists embedded in every primary care practice. We also offer care through Avance Psychiatry with a team in Charlotte. They’re available for quick access and true integrated care.

Specific services provided by our behavioral health team include mental health screenings, comprehensive clinical assessments, neurobiological testing, and psychotherapy.

What’s the difference between psychiatry and behavioral health?

Psychiatry is led by physicians who specialize in mental health. It’s the medical side of mental health treatment, and includes medication management and other treatments for mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.

Behavioral health is led by licensed therapists, and focuses on the habits, thought processes and behaviors that impact a person’s mental ​and physical health.

Psychiatry and behavioral health are closely related. They’re both very important in helping people recover from substance use and mental health disorders, and there is a lot of collaboration between them.

What are some of the specialty areas that Avance Psychiatry and Avance Care Behavioral Health have expertise in?

In addition to general psychiatry, we have medication assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders.

We have specialists in ADHD and trauma, including therapists who offer EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). We have eating disorders specialists who also work with our nutrition team. We also have substance use disorder and addiction specialists.

What are the most common reasons patients seek help for behavioral health concerns?

On the substance use side, we hear a whole lot about opioids and marijuana, and those are ubiquitous in our society. But still today, far and away, it’s alcohol – it causes the most problems and is the biggest killer. We see plenty of opioids, but we see more alcoholism. And post-COVID, alcohol use disorders are even more rampant.

On the mental health side, anxiety and depression are still far and away the most prevalent mental health disorders, and the severity of those has increased of late. Also with adolescents, it’s well documented what’s transpired for kids over the past several years is not a pretty picture, and we certainly see that presenting in our practices.

Do you need a referral from your primary care doctor to see an Avance Care Behavioral Health specialist?

No, you don’t need a referral. We do get a lot of referrals from our primary care doctors, but you can also reach out to us directly. You can call to make an appointment with a psychiatry or behavioral health provider, whether you are an existing Avance patient or not.

How do primary care doctors work with Avance behavioral health specialists?

If a primary care doctor refers a patient to us, we’re going to be in contact with them about how that care is going, so it can be integrated into the overall care of the patient. The more information that each of the providers has, whether it’s primary care, psychiatry or behavioral health, the better care can be.

What are the goals for patients in an integrated behavioral health-primary care practice?

The goal is overall wellness. That any physical or mental health issues are being cared for, such that the patient’s functionality is optimized. That’s done best when there is collaboration, communication and awareness.

Avance Care is here to treat and care for you as a whole person. If you think it’s time to start taking care of your mental and emotional health alongside your physical health, Avance Care is here for you.

If you are interested in learning more about our behavioral health services integrated into your Avance Care Primary Care office, speak with your primary care provider today. They will be able to connect you with a therapist right at your office.

You can learn more about Avance Care Behavioral Health here and about Avance Psychiatry here.

Avance Care’s newest location, led by long time Charlotte physician Dr. Jeffery Hutchings, will open in Waxhaw on Feb 1. To learn more about Avance Care or find a location near you, visit here.