How Primary Care and Psychiatry Work Together in Integrated Care

When something feels off, it is rarely just physical or mental. Stress can show up as headaches. Anxiety can disrupt sleep. Depression can make managing chronic health conditions feel overwhelming. Yet for years, healthcare has treated the body and mind as separate systems. Integrated care brings them back together. 

At Denova Collaborative Health, primary care and psychiatry work as one coordinated care team. This integrated primary care approach supports whole person wellness by addressing both physical and mental health needs in the same setting. It helps patients get support sooner, feel more understood, and stay engaged in care for long term. 

What Is Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care? 

Integrated behavioral health in primary care is a healthcare model where mental health services are delivered within primary care settings. Primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and mental health specialists work together to identify, treat, and manage mental health conditions as part of routine medical care. 

This means mental health is not treated as an afterthought or a separate system. During a regular primary care visit, patients may be asked brief questions about mood, stress, sleep, or emotional well-being. These conversations help care teams identify concerns early and connect patients to the right level of support without delay. 

How Primary Care and Psychiatry Work Together 

In an integrated primary care behavioral health model, collaboration happens behind the scenes, so care feels simple and coordinated for patients. 

Primary care and psychiatry work together by: 

1. Screening patients for mental health concerns during routine primary care visits 
2. Sharing medical records and treatment plans across the care team 
3. Coordinating psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and therapy recommendations 
4. Adjusting care plans collaboratively over time based on patient progress 

At Denova, this team-based approach ensures that physical health, mental health, and behavioral health services are aligned. Patients do not have to repeat their story or manage separate systems on their own. 

Why Behavioral Health Integration Matters for Patients 

Behavioral health integration improves outcomes for both mental and physical health. 

Benefits of integrated behavioral health in primary care include: 

• Earlier identification and treatment of anxiety and depression
• Better management of chronic conditions influenced by mental health
• Reduced stigma around mental health care
• Improved access to mental health specialists within primary care settings

By addressing mental health as part of overall health, patients receive care that feels more complete, supportive, and effective. 

Mental Health Conditions Commonly Supported Through Integrated Care 

Integrated behavioral health primary care supports a wide range of mental health and substance related conditions. Common concerns include generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. 

Examples include: 

• Identifying emotional triggers that may limit weight loss goals. 
• Addressing physical symptoms that may be rooted in anxiety or depression (ex. Palpitations or fatigue). 

Treatment may involve therapy, medication management, psychiatric evaluation, or a combination of evidence-based approaches. Because mental health treatment is coordinated within primary care settings, care plans are personalized and adjusted over time to support long-term well-being. 

Denova’s Approach to Integrated Care 

Denova offers integrated primary care and psychiatry services designed to meet patients where they are. Care is available through both in person and virtual appointments, making it easier to stay connected and consistent with treatment. 

Routine screening tools help identify mental health needs early. Care teams collaborate closely and may involve case managers or peer support when additional resources are helpful. This integrated behavioral health primary care model ensures patients receive seamless, patient centered care without unnecessary barriers. 

What an Integrated Visit Looks Like 

An integrated visit often feels like a standard primary care appointment, with added attention to mental health. 

Patients may complete brief screenings related to mood, stress, or emotional well-being alongside physical health assessments. If a patient screens positive for behavioral health symptoms, the provider explains next steps clearly. These may include therapy, psychiatry, medication management, or follow up support with the care team. 

The process is collaborative, respectful, and focused on what will best support the patient’s health goals. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Integrated Care 

• What conditions are treated through integrated behavioral health? 
  • Integrated behavioral health supports conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders through coordinated therapy, medication management, and psychiatric care. 
• Do I need a referral to see psychiatry through primary care? 
  • In integrated primary care settings, patients can be connected to psychiatry directly through their primary care physician, reducing delays and improving access to mental health treatment. 

Why Integrated Care Is the Future of Mental Health Treatment 

Mental health and physical health are deeply connected. Integrated care reflects how people actually experience health by addressing both together. 

Integrated behavioral health in primary care leads to better outcomes, stronger relationships with providers, and more sustainable long-term wellness. Denova continues to lead this approach by offering collaborative, inclusive care that puts patients first. 

How to Get Started with Denova 

If you are looking for care that treats both your physical and mental health, integrated care may be the right choice. 

Denova makes it easier to access coordinated primary care and psychiatry services in one place. Schedule an appointment today and take the first step toward care that supports your whole health, now and into the future.