Name
C04 - Groups for 500, Please: An Interactive Session to Implement Brief Evidence-Based Groups in Integrated Primary Care
Date & Time
Thursday, October 16, 2025, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location Name
302A
Description

Group interventions are an efficient and effective way to increase patient engagement and access to care but are not often implemented in Integrated Primary Care (IPC) settings. Though most behavioral healthcare professionals (BHPs) receive training in group treatments, there is a common perception that group interventions are incompatible with the brief IPC treatment model. This practical session will first review some of the common facilitators and barriers to implementing groups in IPC settings and then lead participants through a series of activities to consider how to build evidence-based group services in their setting.

Speakers
Janette Mance-Khourey Ph.D., Education and Implementation Specialist, Center for Integrated Healthcare (VISN 2), Suffolk,
Sarah Ingle, Education and Implementation Specialist, Center for Integrated Healthcare - Department of Veterans Affairs, Syracuse, NY
Michele Crisafulli PhD, Education & Implementation Specialist, Center for Integrated Healthcare (VISN 2), Department of Veterans Affairs, New Market, Maryland
Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Innovations, Population and public health, Primary Care Behavioral Health Model
Session Type
Concurrent
SIG or Committee
Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH)
Objective 1
Articulate at least one concrete step they can take to advance group programming in their current system of care.
Objective 2
Identify at least two practical solutions to common challenges arising in implementing groups in IPC.
Objective 3
Identify at least one resource to support building groups in IPC.
Content Reference 1

Agako, A., Burckell, L., McCabe, R. E., Frey, B. N., Barrett, E., Silang, K., & Green, S. M. (2023). A pilot study examining the effectiveness of a short-term, DBT informed, skills group for emotion dysregulation during the perinatal period. Psychological Services, 20(3), 697–707. https://doi-org.va.proxy.liblynxgateway.com/10.1037/ser0000662

Content Reference 2

Alldredge, C., Muñiz, V., & Henderson, T. (2024). Group therapy for pain: The current literature and clinician resources. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 28(3), 216–227. https://doi-org.va.proxy.liblynxgateway.com/10.1037/gdn0000223

Content Reference 3

Clayton, D. A., & Burlingame, G. M. (2024). Evidence-based group therapy for mood disorders: Treatment for depression and bipolar disorders. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 28(3), 132–147. https://doi-org.va.proxy.liblynxgateway.com/10.1037/gdn0000218

Content Reference 4

De Paul, N. F., & Caver, K. A. (2021). A pilot study of a brief group adaptation of the Unified Protocol in integrated primary care. Psychological Services, 18(3), 416–425. https://doi-org.va.proxy.liblynxgateway.com/10.1037/ser0000406

Content Reference 5

Powers, A., Lathan, E. C., Dixon, H. D., Mekawi, Y., Hinrichs, R., Carter, S., Bradley, B., & Kaslow, N. J. (2023). Primary care-based mindfulness intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms among Black adults: A pilot feasibility and acceptability randomized controlled trial. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 15(5), 858–867. https://doi-org.va.proxy.liblynxgateway.com/10.1037/tra0001390