What is a BHC?

The St. Charles Behavioral Health consultants (BHC) have specialty training in the connection between mind and body when it comes to your health. Our behavioral health team will work with your primary care doctor to consider the physical, behavioral and emotional aspects of your health and help determine a course of action that will work best for you.

What types of health concerns do they address?

Our BHC team can help you reduce your symptoms and better cope with various chronic medical conditions including:

  • headaches
  • sleep issues
  • high blood pressure
  • asthma
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • chronic pain
  • irritable bowel syndrome

They can also work with your primary care doctor to create behavioral change plans for smoking cessation, weight loss, alcohol use, exercise and other lifestyle modifications. The behavioral health team can help you develop skills to effectively manage emotional or behavioral difficulties such as anger, anxiety, grief, depression and stress.

Who is eligible to receive these services?

This service is available to all St. Charles Family Care patients.

How is this service different from mental health services?

This is not specialty mental health care. To assist collaboration with your doctor, documentation and recommendations will be written in your medical record; a separate mental health record will not be kept when you see the BHC. Our BHC team does not provide traditional psychotherapy. If you request, or the BHC thinks you would benefit from specialty mental health services, he or she can assist with referrals. Your BHC will make every effort to protect your privacy. However, like all providers, they may have to report information regarding abuse or those they believe to be at risk of harming themselves or others.

What should I expect when I see the behavioral health consultant?

You can expect our BHC to ask specific questions about your physical symptoms, emotional concerns and behaviors. Your appointment will last approximately 30 minutes. At the end of the appointment, the BHC will provide a brief solution focused assessment and treatment. Your BHC has a close working relationship with your doctor, to help you develop and implement the best health care plan for your unique needs.

How do I schedule an appointment with a BHC?

Your doctor can schedule an appointment for you, often on the same day as your doctor’s visit.