Certificate for Behavioral Health Support Specialist

About

This training program provides education and training to deliver brief behavioral health interventions to address mild to moderate levels of mental health symptom severity. A key training experience is the required BHSS internship where students will practice delivery of brief behavioral interventions with clients/patients. Graduates may find employment to deliver behavioral health interventions under the supervision of a licensed provider who can diagnose mental health conditions in Washington state, such as a clinical mental health counselor (CMHC), psychologist, or psychiatrist. BHSS positions may be found in healthcare and mental health clinic settings. An admission interview is required to declare the certificate to ensure students are aware of program requirements and professional implications.

Topics addressed in this certificate program include:

• Commonly utilized collaborative and integrative care models used in multidisciplinary healthcare teams

• Behavioral model of mental health symptom development and intervention

• Basic clinical skills, such as rapport building, redirecting, psychoeducation, and documentation

• Evidence-based interventions for depression and anxiety symptom management, such as behavioral activation and relaxation training

Is this certificate the right fit for you?

While this certificate is designed as an add-on credential for students majoring in the Health Psychology or the Psychology Programs, we welcome students from other majors such as:

  • Social Work
  • Nursing
  • Addiction Studies

… and more!

Curriculum & Requirements

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Behavioral Health Support Specialist Certificate, Undergraduate

Prior to declaring, students must pass each of the following prerequisite courses with a grade ≥B: PSYC 301PSYC 302PSYC 317PSYC 420.

Please see your advisor for potential equivalent exceptions.

Required Courses for the Certificate
PSYC 303FOUNDATION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY5
PSYC 323DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR5
PSYC 408COLLABORATIVE CARE & BHSS INTERNSHIP PREP5
PSYC 409BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND INTERVENTION5
PSYC 495INTERNSHIP8
PSYC 498SEMINAR (Mental Health Law & Ethical Practice)2
Total Credits30