Becker's Healthcare Behavioral Health

In this episode, Chris Santarsiero, Vice President of Government Affairs at Connections Health Solutions, discusses the policy, reimbursement, and community partnerships needed to expand access to behavioral health crisis care. He also shares how crisis stabilization centers, the 988 Lifeline, and coordinated care models are improving outcomes while reducing pressure on hospitals, law enforcement,...

In this episode, Robin Henry, Chief Operating Officer, Solvera Health, discusses how FQHCs can extend behavioral health and substance use disorder services for underserved populations through integrated care models, strategic partnerships, telehealth, and innovative workforce solutions that improve access while maintaining quality and continuity of care. This episode is sponsored by Precise Behavi...

In this episode, Melissa Brule, Director of Behavioral Health and Specialty Services at Elliot Health System, shares how her team transformed outpatient behavioral health access through a “no wrong door” intake model, rapid clinical assessments, and patient navigation support. She discusses the importance of matching patients to the right level of care, reducing barriers to treatment, and building...

In this episode, Omar Fattal, MD, MPH, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals, shares insights on workforce development, continuity of care, patient engagement and innovative programs designed to improve outcomes and equity for New Yorkers facing mental health and substance use challenges.

In this episode, Sarah Hollins, Director of Behavioral Health Services at West Virginia University Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of staff support and patient safety in behavioral healthcare leadership. She shares insights on addressing training and practice gaps, and offers her perspective on the future of behavioral health and the evolving needs...

In this episode, Carl Hoopes, MS, MBA, EVP, Chief Operating Officer, GRAND Mental Health, discusses redesigning behavioral health workflows, leveraging AI and telehealth technology to reduce clinician burnout, and expanding access through new pharmacy and telepsychiatry initiatives.

In this episode, Kellan Tittle, MBA, Chief Financial Officer, People Incorporated Mental Health Services, discusses the shift from access to outcomes, workforce challenges, and how AI is improving documentation and efficiency. He also shares how integrated care models and disciplined growth strategies are shaping the future of nonprofit mental health services.

In this episode, Ben Johnson, Director of Behavioral Health Provider Practices and Operations at Lakeland Regional Health-Florida, discusses how to standardize operational infrastructure without compromising clinical care. He also shares insights on leveraging technology, reducing administrative burden, and improving continuity across the behavioral health continuum.

In this episode, Georgia Gaveras, DO, Co-Founder & CMO, Talkiatry, explores the critical link between menopause and mental health and why siloed care leads to worse outcomes. She highlights the need for integrated, whole person approaches and expanded access to specialized psychiatric care for women navigating this stage of life. This episode is sponsored by Talkiatry .

In this episode, Sandeep Acharya, CEO & Founder, Octave, shares how outdated infrastructure, fragmented systems, and ghost networks create barriers to mental health access and how smarter matching and integrated platforms can connect patients to care faster. He also explores the role of collaboration, data, and accountability in rebuilding trust and improving outcomes across behavioral health....

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring Behavioral Health Summit features Ken Powers, MSW, LICSW, ACSW, BCD, Director of Behavioral Health Services/Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, E. A. Hawse Health Center & Johnathan Lyon, MSW, LICSW, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services, E. A. Hawse Health Center, who share how ambient AI is reducing documentation burden, i...

In this episode, Kristen Ford, General Manager of the Employer Division, Carelon Behavioral Health, discusses how employers are transforming mental health support into a proactive, integrated strategy and shares practical ways to drive engagement, align leadership, and improve workforce outcomes.  This episode is sponsored by Carelon Behavioral Health .

In this episode, Shana Palmieri, LCSW, Co-Founder of XFERALL, discusses how emergency departments, case management teams, community providers, and behavioral health intake teams can be connected in real time to reduce ED boarding and improve patient flow. She explores how AI-enabled intake technology helps intake departments manage high volumes of referrals more accurately and efficiently—reducing...

In this episode Dr. Edisa Shirley, Chief Growth Officer at ClinicMind, shares how health systems can move beyond expansion to truly scalable behavioral health models by strengthening governance, access, and operational infrastructure. She highlights the shift toward hybrid care and why sustainable growth depends on integrated systems, disciplined operations, and measurable outcomes. This episode i...

In this episode, Stephen Merz, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sheppard Pratt Solutions, shares how partnering with health systems to integrate behavioral and physical care, improve access, and strengthen financial sustainability can help communities expand much needed mental health services nationwide.

In this episode, Carl Hoopes, EVP and Chief Operating Officer of GRAND Mental Health, discusses expanding access to care for 18,000 Oklahomans through telepsychiatry, crisis services, and community partnerships. He shares how lean operations, AI tools, and EHR modernization are helping standardize the client experience and support sustainable growth across new regions and care settings.

In this episode, Allie Friesen, Founder and Principal of AF Impact, shares why today’s behavioral health challenges are rooted in system design rather than effort alone. Drawing on experience across clinical care, health system leadership, and state government, she outlines how clearer ownership, aligned incentives, and structural coherence are essential to stabilizing and scaling behavioral healt...

In this episode, Dr. Glen Rebman, Medical Director of Telepsychiatry at Lumina Care, discusses how telepsychiatry is expanding access to behavioral health services in post acute and long term care settings. He shares insights on workforce shortages, integration with primary care, and how technology can improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable patient populations. This episode is sponsored...

In this episode, Omar Fattal, MD, MPH, System Chief of Behavioral Health at NYC Health + Hospitals, shares how the nation’s largest municipal health system cut vacancy and turnover rates by making workforce a core strategic priority. He discusses enterprise wide recruitment, training, and retention initiatives, centralized infrastructure, and why investing boldly in people is essential to expandin...

In this episode, Kari-Beth Law, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Board Member of the West Virginia University Health System, Professor of Adult, Child/Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatry, Vice Chair of Clinical Services, and Director of Telepsychiatry for the WVU School of Medicine Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, discusses how telepsychiatry has transformed access to behavi...

In this episode, J.R. Greene, Founder and Chairman of Psychiatric Medical Care, shares how his organization is expanding access to behavioral health services across rural and urban communities through innovative care models, telehealth, and hospital partnerships. He also discusses workforce alignment, sustainable program design, and the leadership principles needed to scale behavioral health witho...

In this episode, Jill Wiedemann-West, CEO of People Incorporated Mental Health Services, discusses how the organization is connecting strategy, growth, and data to strengthen care for 13,000 Minnesotans. She shares insights on building organizational agility, leveraging social determinants data, and creating a community-focused system of mental health services.

In this episode, John Meier, CEO of Aurora Charter Oak Behavioral Health Hospital, discusses his career path, key trends shaping behavioral health, and the impact of new California nursing staffing ratios. He also shares leadership lessons, optimism for expanded access to care, and what it takes to lead through rapid change.

In this episode, Shannon Werb, CEO of Array Behavioral Care, discusses how an employed clinical workforce, interoperable technology, and evidence based care pathways are helping health systems deliver consistent, high quality behavioral health services. He shares lessons on integration, scalability, and why measurement based care is becoming an operational standard rather than a nice to have.

In this episode, Joseph Lee, MD, President and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, discusses the growing crisis among young people, exploring the links between trauma, isolation, mental health, and substance use, and why integrated, community centered treatment is critical for lasting recovery.