Chronic Illness and Integrated Care: What Mental Health Counselors Need to Know

Course overview

The impact of chronic illness on mental health has been well documented. Decades of research support the importance of managing stress during chronic illness in order to improve immune system functioning as well as improve quality of life (CDC, 2021; Cleveland Clinic, 2021). Recent developments in Integrated Care approaches to managing chronic illness have been documented as effective (American Psychiatric Association, 2021). Mental Health Counselors are uniquely positioned to address the stress of chronic illness and improve the whole health of patients by using effective integrated care models. This presentation will offer participants the opportunity to describe the elements of stress related to chronic illness, and to compare several evidenced based approaches of integrated care models in helping clients manage the stress of chronic illness.