Paving a path for progress

Behavioral health care transforms lives 

About a year ago Jacob* began behavioral health treatment at OneWorld, following a pattern of impulsive behaviors and unhealthy relationships. Sometimes the behaviors were hostile or violent, leading to interactions with the police. Fortunately, thanks to caring interventions from OneWorld providers, Jacob’s life has taken a turn for the better.

Traditional Behavioral Health Therapist Brittney Swain, LIMHP, CPC, LADC, who sees Jacob as a patient, said he wasn’t so fond of therapy at first. But over time, he became more willing to engage in therapy as he built a relationship with Swain and psychiatrist Shannon Kinnan, MD. Diagnosed with autism as well as a mood disorder, Jacob has noticed a difference in how he feels these days.

“He said, in his own words, that therapy and medication have helped him be less angry and less violent,” Swain said, sharing with Jacob’s permission. “It’s allowed him to push himself to be around people and to not feel so anxious.”

For Swain, it’s important to reiterate that help is available for people with mental and behavioral health concerns. That help may be provided in different ways, depending on the patient’s needs, but there are a few main pathways for care at OneWorld. Briefly, those paths are as follows:

• Warm hand-offs happen when patients visiting a primary care provider are connected with a behavioral health therapist for a brief session on the same day.
• Psychiatric care covers assessment and evaluation, diagnosis, medication management and therapeutic services.
• Traditional behavioral health therapy helps patients to identify and address issues affecting their mental health.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment is a personalized program for people with substance use disorders that, at OneWorld, combines group therapy and medication management.
• In the Advanced Integrative Mental Health Services program (AIMS), otherwise known as the Collaborative Care Model, medical and behavioral health clinicians integrate care with psychiatric clinicians to treat patients.

Dr. Kinnan, a national leader for her work in implementing AIMS, said the model helps track patient outcomes and centers cultural fit for patients.

“The value is access to care,” said Dr. Kinnan. “It’s quicker access to high quality care that allows patients to stay in their medical homes.”

Regardless of the type of services a patient needs, meeting them where they are in their own personal journey is important, said Longfellow Marquez, LIMHP, LMHP, LADC, Behavioral Health Therapist and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Trainer. Marquez, who often sees patients with substance use disorders, said not all patients are at the same level for change, but care is still available for them. And that care – from behavioral health and medical providers alike – makes a difference.

“I feel this type of population, they are very appreciative because usually they come to you as the last resource,” Marquez said. “That’s a great satisfaction, being able to provide some help when they are in need.”

Family Medicine and Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner Ian Mitchell, APRN, who sees patients for primary care and mental health diagnoses, also notices demand for services – and progress within his patients. He said he likes being able to follow his pediatric and adult patients over time. With young patients, he enjoys the development that occurs from one grade level to the next.

“At the same time, I like helping adult patients who struggle with a substance use disorder,” Mitchell said. “We provide treatment and suddenly they are able to maintain a job, have a home and form stable relationships.”

Quality of care is paramount at OneWorld. Chief Medical Officer William Ostdiek, MD, praised the staff for their dedication. He said that patients, who are historically underserved often have complex needs or financial barriers to care – and OneWorld health care providers work hard to do right by everyone.

“What excites me is the connection to the community, and the respect within the community, that has been earned by OneWorld by providing quality of care that, frankly, I would stack up against anybody,” Dr. Ostdiek said.

Receiving that quality of care makes all the difference in the world to patients like Jacob. Swain, his Behavioral Health Therapist, said Jacob’s mom couldn’t share enough praise for the services he has received at OneWorld. His mom has noticed his new ability to regulate emotions – evidence that a patient’s improvements can help the whole family.

Swain shared: “It’s changed his life.”

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