In recent years, much progress has been made elevating the importance of mental health support for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, many people still face barriers to the care they need. That’s why at Ovatient, we’re pioneering an innovative virtual-first approach that integrates behavioral health with primary care and considers a whole person—not just their physical symptoms, but the psychological and social factors that impact health outcomes.
We recently spoke with Amy Lukowski, Psy.D., Ovatient’s director of integrated behavioral health, to discuss our unique approach and what makes it so effective.
Whole-Person Care
Navigating a confusing array of silos is one of the biggest challenges many people face when seeking behavioral health care. Our virtual-first integrated behavioral health model eliminates these barriers by bringing behavioral health directly into the primary care setting.
When patients connect with a virtual primary care provider with conditions like hypertension, we don’t just prescribe medication. We explore the full picture: How are they dealing with stress? Do they need tobacco cessation support? Are there nutritional barriers to address? This holistic approach allows us to develop truly comprehensive treatment plans. Our primary care providers work hand-in-hand with behavioral health providers and the patient to come up with a care plan that considers their whole health.
Accesing Care Anywhere
Over half of people with mental health diagnoses never seek care due to access barriers. Virtual care delivery removes significant barriers that prevent people from seeking help. Patients can access services during work breaks or from their cars, eliminating transportation challenges and time-off requirements. And because our solution is built on Epic, we seamlessly coordinate with patients’ care teams both virtually and in-person at their trusted local health system.
Building Readiness for Care
We understand that patients often feel unsure about behavioral health support. Our team works with primary care providers to recognize that “readiness” often sounds like uncertainty. By keeping doors open and demonstrating trustworthy, collaborative care, we help patients move toward readiness at their own pace.
Flexible, Patient-Centered Interventions
Once we identify patients who are ready to engage in behavioral health services, we work with them and their primary care provider to develop a personalized plan that meets their needs. We start with behavioral health screenings that range from brief 15-minute consultations to hour-long assessments, depending on individual needs. Treatment plans are equally flexible—from single-session educational interventions to 8-12 session skill-building programs. This personalized approach ensures patients receive exactly the level of support they need.
Real-World Impact
Consider a recent Ovatient patient experiencing increased anxiety and panic attacks despite stable treatment. Through our integrated approach, the patient’s primary care provider and behavioral health specialist collaborated closely, eventually identifying perimenopause as a contributing factor. They seamlessly connected her with her local health system women’s clinic, creating a comprehensive care team addressing nutrition, hormonal changes, and mental health—all coordinated through our shared Epic EHR.
Take the Next Step with Ovatient
Integrated behavioral health isn’t just a treatment model—it’s a fundamental shift toward truly comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses the whole person, not just individual symptoms. And it’s available when you partner with Ovatient. Contact us to learn more.
