Name
From Training to Transformation: Real-World Perspectives from BA-Level Care Managers on the Front Lines
Description

Behavioral health workforce shortages, increasing demand for services, and persistent access disparities require innovative solutions. Helios Behavioral Health, a Boston-based non-profit, has developed a specialized training curriculum to support BA-level Care Managers working alongside MA-level clinicians in integrated care settings. This hybrid staffing model offers a unique opportunity to address health equity, expand access, and improve patient outcomes by leveraging evidence-based interventions delivered by well-trained BA-level professionals. This session explores how BA-level Care Managers enhance workforce efficiency and behavioral health accessibility, particularly for patients who may not require traditional psychotherapy or medication management. Hear directly from two Helios Care Managers as they share their experiences—what drives their passion for this work, how they navigate imposter syndrome, and the meaningful impact they’re making in patient care. Attendees will gain actionable insights on implementing structured training, supervision models, and brief behavioral health interventions, ultimately supporting the expansion and diversification of the behavioral health workforce.

Co-Authors
Ross Lohr, MBA, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Helios Behavioral Health
Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Collaborative Care Model of Integrated Care, Training/Supervision, Workforce development
Session Type
Concurrent
SIG or Committee
Collaborative Care Model (CoCM)
Objective 1
Identify the workforce challenges and access disparities in behavioral health and describe how BA-level Care Managers help address these gaps.
Objective 2
Describe Helios’ structured training model for BA-level Care Managers, including behavioral activation, motivational interviewing, reflective listening, and skill development.
Objective 3
Develop strategies to integrate and support BA-level team members within an interdisciplinary care team, ensuring role clarity, supervision, and high-quality patient care.
Content Reference 1

APA Workgroup on Workforce Issues. (2022). Behavioral Health Workforce Report. American Psychological Association.

Content Reference 2

Cochrane Library. (2021). Collaborative Care for Depression and Anxiety Disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004688.pub2/abstract

Content Reference 3

Raney, L. E. (2015). Integrated Care: Working at the Interface of Primary Care and Behavioral Health. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Content Reference 4

Unützer, J., Carlo, A. C., & Collins, P. Y. (2020). Leveraging Collaborative Care to Improve Access to Mental Health Care in Rural Communities. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(6), 553-554

Content Reference 5

Reay, S., Reay, W., Tevis, K., & Patterson, L. (2023). Do Degrees Matter? Rethinking Workforce Development for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research. Received: 17 November 2022 / Accepted: 2 March 2023 / Published online: 23 March 2023. © The Author(s) 2023.