For Health Care Professionals

Behavioral Health Coaching helps patients build the confidence, skills, knowledge and compassion, needed to manage their chronic conditions and improve their health. By using a client centered approach and evidence based practices such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), cognitive behavioral therapy techniques (CBT), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), adaptive thinking strategies, and S.M.A.R.T goal setting, behavioral health coaches empower patients to play a central role in clinical encounters and to engage in self-management activities at home, work, schools, and faith communities where they spend most of their lives.

At High Desert Behavioral Health and Wellness we meet patients exactly where they are at. After processing your referral, patients will receive a comprehensive initial consultation, receive and review relevant vetted health education surrounding their condition or illness, and begin establishing long and short term goals around wellness goals that matter most. 

Many patients leave their physicians office without understanding the clinical advice given. According to UCSF, 50% of patients do not understand their treatment plan and in only 10% of office visits are patients involved in making decisions related to their care.  Through behavioral health coaching patients are more involved in decision making and more inclined to follow physician advice. 

In addition to patients receiving accountability, encouragement, and unconditional support, recent studies have highlighted that patients who participate in Behavioral Health coaching sessions have improved (Citations Below):

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Glucose 
• Triglycerides
• Body weight
• Cardiovascular fitness
• Nutrition behaviors
• Medication adherence 
• Overall quality of life 
• perceived stress
• depression symptoms

By partnering with a Behavioral Health Coach, you are giving your patients additional tools to succeed on their health journey.

Upon client consent, High Desert Behavioral Health and Wellness will share progress notes, hold case conferences, and collaborate appropriate referrals with other members of their health care team such as their primary care provider, relevant specialists, and mental health professionals. We believe in continuity of care for our clients, and when providers work together health thrives.

For providers wanting to refer patients or collaborate care with High Desert Behavioral Health & Wellness, please contact below. 

Burnout is described by the AMA as a long‑term stress reaction which can include  emotional or mental exhaustion, depersonalization (i.e. lack of empathy for or negative attitudes toward patients), and/or feeling of decreased personal achievement. According to the AMA, physician burnout rates jumped to 63% at the end of 2021. Additionally, impacts of burnout have a myriad of negative impacts including decreased quality of care, erosion of professionalism and teamwork, and a higher correlation of malpractice suits . 

Offering behavioral health and wellness coaching to your practice physicians and staff members can be a vital tool in combating burn out, work related stress and increasing overall staff wellness.

For more information on the importance of creating professional well being within the practice of medicine see linked article from AMA Steps Forward: https://edhub.ama-assn.org/steps-forward/module/2767739

Group Coaching and Wellness Workshops are offered Monthly, Quarterly or Bi-Annually and are curated for your staffs specific needs. Sessions can help reduce stress and increase overall health for the entire practice. Group session topics can include but are not limited to:

• Sleep Hygiene 
• Monitoring of Mood and Triggers 
• Breath Work 
• Meditation
• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
• Self-Care
• Boundary Setting 
• Strengthening Social Relationships 
• Yoga for Stress Reduction 
• Nutrition Goal Implementation 
• Exercise Implementation 
• Time Management

Additional resources and referrals to community and professional services are available as appropriate. 

Executive Behavioral Health Coaching is offered for individuals needing dedicated one on one sessions to help manage the many challenges and demands of the professional field. Sessions will be uniquely tailored to your needs to help you thrive in balance with your career, physical and emotional health. 

For providers interested in services for their offices, employees, or individual sessions, contact below.

Gordon, N. F., Salmon, R. D., Wright, B. S., Faircloth, G. C., Reid, K. S., & Gordon, T. L. (2016). Clinical Effectiveness of Lifestyle Health Coaching: Case Study of an Evidence-Based Program. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 11(2), 153–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827615592351