Preparing for Therapy in the Collaborative Care Model

Introduction

Congratulations on taking the first step towards seeking professional support for your mental health! Deciding to get help can be a daunting task, but it's one of the most important things you can do for your well-being.

If you're feeling anxious or depressed, you may have been referred to a collaborative care model. Collaborative care is an approach to mental health treatment that involves a team of healthcare professionals working together with you  to create a treatment plan that is right for you. The team may include a primary care doctor, a psychiatrist, a therapist, and a case manager.

Your first session with your behavioral health care manager (BHCM) is an important opportunity to get to know each other and start building a relationship. It's also a chance to talk about your goals for treatment and to ask any questions you may have.

How to Prepare for Collaborative Care Sessions

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your collaborative care sessions:

1. Define your goals. What do you hope to accomplish by participating in collaborative care? Are you looking to manage your anxiety or depression? Improve your sleep? Increase your motivation? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can share your goals with your BHCM and they can help you create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
2. Make a list of questions. There are probably a lot of things you're wondering about collaborative care. What is it like? How does it work? What are the benefits? Don't be afraid to ask your BHCM any questions you have. They're there to help you and they want you to be comfortable with the process.
3. Be open-minded. Collaborative care is a new approach to mental health treatment, so it's important to be open-minded about the process as it might all feel new to you. The team of professionals working with you are experts in their field and they want to help you get better.
4. Be patient. It takes time to heal from mental health challenges. Don't expect to see results overnight. Be patient with yourself and with the process. With time and effort, you can make progress towards your goals. You deserve to feel well and Juno’s collaborative care program is here for you.

Questions to Ask Your BHCM

Here are some questions you may want to ask your BHCM:

• What is collaborative care?
• How does it work?
• What are the benefits of collaborative care?
• What are my goals for treatment?
• How can we track my progress?
• What if I don't know what to talk about in therapy?
• What if I don't think therapy is right for me?
• What if it doesn't fit with my schedule?
• How will I know if I'm getting better?

Summary

Collaborative care is a great option for people who are looking for a comprehensive approach to mental health treatment. The team of professionals working with you will be able to provide you with the support you need to manage your mental health challenges and improve your quality of life.

If you're feeling anxious or depressed, don't hesitate to reach out for help. There is no shame in seeking professional support, and it could be the best decision you ever make.

Sometimes people with depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges might have thoughts of hurting themselves or others. If you feel this way, you should call 988, Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, immediately.

Next Steps

Juno now offers Collaborative Care by Primary Care referral only in New York. Start by booking an appointment with one of our Primary Care providers to see if the program might be the right fit for you.

‍