Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Professionals

Our Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals, or the Trauma-Informed FlourishCare Internship Program, provides advanced interdisciplinary training for students in social work, couple and family therapy, and doctor of nursing practice in psychiatry programs. By integrating behavioral health into primary care settings, this program prepares students to address patients’ mental, emotional, and physical health holistically within a collaborative health care environment.

Program components

Interdisciplinary, trauma-informed training

The curriculum emphasizes trauma-informed care, equipping students with the skills to recognize and respond to the impact of trauma on mental health. Training also includes an introduction to integrated care models, enabling students to view and treat behavioral health as a vital part of overall health.

Primary care integration

Through hands-on experience in primary care settings, students learn how to embed behavioral health services into patients’ broader health care plans. This integration helps to address behavioral health needs in tandem with physical health concerns, fostering a more comprehensive approach to patient care.

Collaborative team-based experience

Students work within interdisciplinary teams, gaining experience in collaborative care. By learning to coordinate with professionals across medical, mental health, and social services, participants are better equipped to provide holistic care that addresses the complex needs of differing patient populations.

Interpersonal skill building

With a focus on connection and empathy, the program trains students to meet the needs of varied communities, particularly those who face unique challenges with the health system. This broad training scope empowers future health care professionals with the tools to make a lasting impact on community health.

This project (M01HP424540) is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,216,000 with 0 percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.