Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Primary Care

Abstract

Due to the extent of individuals with co-occurring physical and behavioral problems, behavioral health integration with primary care has been recommended to improve the availability of effective services by increasing access to behavioral specialists. This chapter begins with a review of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions in pediatric primary care. Pediatric primary care settings are frequently visited by children and their families. Children are generally seen by their pediatrician at least once per year and often report a trusting and collaborative relationship. Thus, the primary care office is a convenient place to receive behavioral health support and connect with a mental health provider. The chapter argues that integrated primary care settings provide a multitude of benefits for both the patient and medical providers, who are often treating mental health problems alone and without necessary adjunctive support. It examines the literature on distinct models of integrated care practices and highlights the all too common discrepancy between research and clinical application. The chapter concludes with two case vignettes that demonstrate CBT implementation in a pediatric primary care setting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)