How does Behavioral Healthcare differ from Psychiatry?
Modern advances warrant a term to emphasize
the level of specialized care in Psychiatry —
Consolidated Direct Psychiatric Care—
the synthesis of the most effective psychotherapeutic methods developed in the past 75 years with the systematic refinements and expansion of the evolving disciplines of biochemical and molecular neuropharmacology over the last 60 years—works very well within the framework of an in-depth, collaborative, empathic doctor-patient relationship.
Some say Behavioral Healthcare should take the place of Psychiatry, while others say that Behavioral Healthcare is a team intervention strategy, but not a substitute for the complete Psychiatric level of care.
Behavioral Healthcare involves masters or doctoral level non-medical clinicians working in a roughly 5:1 ratio with psychiatrists to provide entry level, generally brief outpatient or inpatient intervention for primary care patients and clinicians in a hospital system, large multi-specialty group practice, or insurance network.
Consolidated Direct Psychiatric Care
describes the most thoroughly individualized and intensive level of care for the diagnosis and treatment of the most severe and complex Psychiatric Disorders (Mood, Anxiety, Psychotic, Post-traumatic, Personality, Autism Spectrum, Attention deficit and Neurodevelopmental).
Coupled with ongoing attention to the scientific literature which promises new and more rapidly-acting pharmacotherapeutic agents, improving functional neuroimaging applications (which someday may guide treatment), and neuromodulatory interventions (like rTMS, the heir apparent to electroconvulsive treatment), Consolidated Direct Psychiatric Care works best for many individuals with chronic disorders now well-known to relapse and remit throughout life (well beyond reactive adjustments to life’s usual adversities), optimized to address target symptoms, achieve remission and move to a maintenance schedule as soon as possible.