Mastering Behavioral Health Care in the Adult Primary Care Setting

  • Continuing Education
A stethoscope, chart and brain.

Registration Deadline: November 12

Master efficient, evidence-based strategies to identify, diagnose, and manage common mental health conditions in primary care through an expert-led, integrated behavioral health course designed to reduce fragmentation and improve patient outcomes.

  • Live Online

This course is taught live online.

$260 Save with early registration

This is the standard price, for a full list of profession pricing see below.

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Fee increases to $290 after

Continuing Education

Earn up to:
7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™
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One Day

Please view the Schedule for a full description of the program.

On This Page

Overview

The landscape of health care is rapidly evolving, with primary care clinicians and integrated mental health care professionals increasingly serving as the frontline for managing common behavioral health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. However, the current state of care is fragmented and often characterized by long wait times for specialty referrals, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This growing demand, coupled with challenges like limited time for comprehensive assessments and a lack of integrated care models in most health care systems, places a significant burden on primary care teams.

We've designed this course to empower health care providers with the latest knowledge and skills to identify, diagnose, and manage common mental disorders within the primary care setting. Our faculty experts, who specialize in the intersection of psychiatry and medicine, will share efficient, effective, and evidence-based clinical strategies.  

Join us for the day to master these critical skills, enhance patient outcomes, and become pivotal agents in creating a more accessible and effective integrated behavioral health system. We welcome both primary care providers and mental health care providers who are committed to enhancing the mental health outcomes of their patients. 

Learning Objectives

  • Accurately identify, differentiate, and diagnose common psychiatric disorders.
  • Initiate and manage evidence-based treatments for mood disorders.
  • Identify common causes of impairment in attention and focus in adults, accurately diagnose adult attention hyperactivity disorder, and review non-amphetamine treatments for adult inattention symptoms.
  • Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to engage patients in sustainable behavior change.
  • Review the common characteristics and effective strategies for managing insomnia.
  • Describe the risks of treated versus untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and list evidence-based treatment options.
  • Reliably identify early psychosis and understand first line treatments available in primary care.
  • Summarize normal cognitive changes associated with age, and differentiate between these and common cognitive disorders in older adults.
  • List strategies for providing trauma- informed care.
  • Review the clinical features and approaches to managing borderline personality disorder.
  • Discuss key elements for implementing the collaborative care model to integrate mental health services in primary care settings.

Developed and Offered By:

  • Cambridge Health Alliance Logo

Continuing Education courses are developed by faculty from Harvard Medical School's teaching hospitals and accredited by Harvard Medical School. This course is offered by Cambridge Health Alliance.

Who Should Participate

Specialty Physicians, Primary Care Physicians, Social workers, Counselors, Psychologists, Physician Assistants, and Nurses

Schedule

All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.

Friday, November 13, 2026

Welcome and Introduction

8:15-8:25 am

Diagnostic Clarity for Mood Disorders in Primary Care

Hsiang Huang

8:25-8:55 am

Psychopharmacologic Treatment of Mood Disorders

Reji Attupurath

8:55-9:40 am

ADHD in Focus: Practical Diagnosis and Management

Greta Spottswood

9:40-10:25 am

Break

10:25-10:45 am

Neurocognitive Disorder in Older Adults: Getting it Right

Rachel Kester

10:45-11:30 am

Effective Motivational Interviewing

Kate Zona

11:30 am-12:15 pm

Lunch

12:15-1:15 pm

Managing Insomnia So Your Patients Can Rest Easy

Mari Yamamoto

1:15-2:00 pm

Caring for Two: Recognizing and Treating Perinatal Mood Disorders

Amritha Bhat

2:00-2:45 pm

Identifying and Managing Psychosis in Primary Care

Lisa Rosenfeld

2:45-3:15 pm

Break

3:15-3:35 pm

Trauma-Informed Primary Care: What Every Clinician Should Know

Sadie Elisseou

3:35-4:05 pm

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder

Lois Choi-Kain

4:05-4:35 pm

The Future of Behavioral Health in Primary Care

Heather Huang

4:35-5:05 pm

Close Program

5:05-5:10 pm

Faculty

Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.

 

Course Directors

Reji Attupurath, MD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine (Charlotte), Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Amritha Bhat, MBBS, MD, MPH
Co-Director, Perinatal Mental Health & Substance Use Education, Research & Clinical (PERC) Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington Medicine
Associate Professor, University of Washington Medicine

Lois Choi-Kain, MEd, MD
Director, Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute and Director, Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute Research Program, McLean Hospital
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Sadie Elisseou, MD
Primary Care Physician, VA Healthcare System
Corporate Consultant and Internationally Recognized Expert in Trauma-Informed Care
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Heather Huang, MD
Medical Director, Adult Collaborative Care program, UW Health
Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Rachel Kester, DO
Geriatric Psychiatrist, Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatry, Everett Hospital
Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Director, Cambridge Health Alliance
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Lisa Rosenfeld, MD, MPH
Psychiatrist and Medical Director of the Health Integration Program, Cambridge Health Alliance
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Greta Spottwood, MD, MPH
Pediatric Medical Director, Vermont Consultation & Psychiatry Access Program

Mari Yamamoto, PhD
Integrated Care Training Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington Medicine

Kate Zona, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration (PCBHI) and Director of Measurement Informed Care, Division of Population Behavioral Health Innovation, Cambridge Health Alliance 
Instructor in Psychology, Harvard Medical School 

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Course Fees

Registration Details

You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Prices include CME credit, electronic syllabus, and most recordings are available for 30 days after the course. At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration. 

Review the cancellation policy.

Early Registration Deadline:

Role Course Fee Early Registration Course Fee
Physician (MD/DO) $290 $260
Nurse (RN/APRN) $230 $200
PA $230 $200
Psychologist $230 $200
Resident/Fellow $230 $200
Social Worker $230 $200
Allied Health Professional / Other $230 $200

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

To receive CME/CE credit, learners are required to complete the course evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, you will be able to claim your credit and download your certificate. All evaluations and credit claims must be completed within 60 days of the course end date.

The Harvard Medical School designates this Live Virtual for a maximum of 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

For the purpose of recertification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and American Nurses Credentialing Center accept  7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure. 

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that  7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure. 

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 7.00 continuing education credits. 

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted to NASW-MA. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 7.00 contact hours. 

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.

Cambridge Health Alliance is an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 7.00 continuing education hours and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.00 credits. 

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the Union of European Medical Specialists website.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

  • Provide Patient-Centered Care
  • Employ Evidence-Based Practice

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

  • Patient Care and Procedural Skills
  • Medical Knowledge
  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Registration for courses managed by Harvard Medical School can only be completed through Harvard Medical School’s official registration portal: cmeregistration.hms.harvard.edu. Attendee registrations made through any other sites cannot be honored and will not be refunded. Please report any unauthorized websites or solicitations for registrations.

In order to comply with applicable U.S. export control and sanctions regulations, Harvard Medical School prohibits access to and use of Harvard Medical School educational offerings, programs and resources to individuals from certain sanctioned regions or who are otherwise subject to U.S. government sanctions, unless appropriate authorization is in place.

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