Expanding the Behavioral Health Workforce: Pediatric Psychologists Training Master’s Level Students in Integrated Healthcare

As mental and behavioral health needs continue to rise, additional providers are needed to expand the behavioral health workforce. Integrated behavioral health services result in increased access, reduced stigma, and improved quality of patient care. Psychologists are in a unique position to provide training to future mental health professionals in integrated settings, across multiple levels of training, and particularly to future master's level providers, which make up the majority of the mental health workforce. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Behavioral Health Workplace Education and Training (BHWET) Program aims to increase the behavioral health workforce in order to improve access to services. A priority is placed on care for children, adolescents, and transitional aged youth who are at risk for behavioral health disorders and highlights team-based approaches to care in integrated settings. An overview is provided of a HRSA BHWET funded training program implemented with master's level students. Students completed clinical field placements in one of several integrated care settings and were provided specialized training in the areas of evidence-based treatments, integrated healthcare, and quality improvement. The overarching purpose of the Integrated Behavioral Services Training and Education Program (I-STEP) was to improve access to behavioral health services for underserved children and their families by expanding the behavioral health workforce. This was achieved through training master's level counseling students to provide evidence-based services in integrated healthcare settings. I-STEP program goals, challenges, outcomes, and lessons learned are presented.