Integrated Behavioral Health Care

Sometimes life brings challenges that may increase anxiety, depression, grief, stress or other issues. That’s when you want help you can trust and access easily.

Depend on UC San Diego Health’s integrated behavioral health program to learn practical coping skills to get your life back on track. You and your family can receive this high-quality, short-term therapy for a few weeks or months — at your convenience in the same clinic as your primary care doctor.

We understand that caring for you extends beyond your physical well-being. That’s why we made behavioral health treatment more readily available, so you don’t have to search for a therapist elsewhere in the community.

What is Integrated Behavioral Health?

Integrated behavioral health blends mental/behavioral health care with primary care services in the same setting to offer seamless help.

Both medical and behavioral factors are essential to a person’s health. Some people find it more convenient and acceptable to access behavioral health treatment in a familiar setting instead of going to a separate clinic.

The goal of UC San Diego Health’s integrated behavioral health practice is whole-person care. Our counseling services extend beyond typical mental health concerns to other health issues, such as sleep problems, weight loss and smoking cessation goals.

Our primary care and behavioral health providers work together to better coordinate your care with other medical providers at UC San Diego Health. We want to help you resolve your concerns, manage life challenges and improve your health.

Who Is Eligible?

Our integrated behavioral health care services are open to people of all ages. But you must be a UC San Diego Health primary care patient to request our services.

How to Switch Your Care to UC San Diego Health

You must have a referral from your PCP to receive short-term this behavioral health care. You can also request to speak briefly with a behavioral health provider during your next PCP visit to discuss if this service is a good fit for you.

How to Get a Referral

For a referral for short-term behavioral health services, please ask your primary care provider (PCP) by calling 800-926-8273 or messaging through your MyUCSDChart account.

Compassionate, Patient-Centered Services

Your behavioral health provider will evaluate your concerns and craft a personalized treatment plan for mild to moderate mental health and behavioral conditions.

Sessions: We offer up to 12 sessions — individual, couple, family or group counseling that can last for a few weeks or months. For your convenience, these sessions can be in person at your PCP’s clinic or via video visits.
Interpreter and language services: We offer services in other languages using an interpreter. Some of our providers speak Spanish.
Collaboration and coordination: We collaborate with your primary care provider by sharing notes and relevant information to provide the best whole-person health care possible. You get the benefit of teamwork, better coordination and communication, all working toward one set of overall health goals for you.
Follow-up help: You’ll also get follow-up support if needed.
Long-term treatment: If you are experiencing severe symptoms, have multiple concerns or need specialized treatment or longer-term therapy, we can recommend other options or refer you to our world-class specialists.

Conditions We Treat

We work closely with you and your PCP to address your combined physical and behavioral health concerns, including:

Anxiety, anger, irritability, mood changes or stress
Chronic pain
Depression/having the blues
Family or relationship problems
Grief, loss or trauma
Health behavior changes
Life transitions, including mild to moderate adjustment disorder
Medication management
Mild alcohol and substance use
Sleep issues or insomnia
Smoking and tobacco cessation

Insurance and Costs

Most insurance plans typically cover integrated behavioral health sessions. Please remember that you must have your PCP’s referral for this service.

Your co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses depend on your plan, so check with your insurer.

View insurance accepted at UC San Diego Health.