"The Wright Institute [IHPP] consult services and groups are an invaluable resource to our patients and providers in west county. I truly can't imagine our clinics without the... (T)he care that has become standard and expected in health care clinics these days. The program is well run, well integrated, and provides services important for various quality metrics. I hear nothing but good things from patients. Particularly at a large clinic such as ours, serving many complicated patients with numerous mental health and socio-economic challenges, the Wright Institute has been a great fit. I truly believe that having behavioral health resources provided by the Wright Institute are a key part of what makes our jobs in clinic sustainable."

Will Sheldon, MD Department Chair Family and Adult Medicine, West County Health Center and Diabetes     PRIME/QIP Provider Lead, Contra Costa Health Services

 

"I am one of the lead physicians working in the CCRMC Pain Clinics, and one of the Opioid Stewards for our system. Our goal is to treat pain with non-opioid modalities and to increase function in our patients without sacrificing safety. Since the inception of our multi-specialty pain clinics in about 2014, the Wright {IHPP] staff have been integral members of our treatment teams. Often, trauma and depression are key drivers of chronic pain. We also see a lot of patients with significant addiction histories. Having a trained mental health clinician in the clinic gives us a more full appreciation of the patient’s needs.

The immediate availability of Health ...(Psychologists) in our clinics has helped us address these issues in a collegial way, allowing us to develop treatment plans that address the psychological as well as the physical needs of our patients. Additionally, Dr. Michael Changaris has been a tireless participant in our working groups addressing the opioid crisis and has helped plan and develop our updated Opioid Guidelines for the entire system. Many of our Pain Clinic patients express appreciation for having a Health... (Psychologist) see them alongside the physician and rehabilitation specialist.

 

The provider also benefits from having immediate feedback on underlying trauma and stress issues that will affect recovery. The success of our efforts to reduce opioid use in the CCRMC facilities, and in the CCHP system as a whole would not have been possible without the input and participation of the Wright Institute staff."
Sara J. Richey-Lucero MD, Opioid Steward Pain Management Consultant, Contra Costa Health Services

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“It is clear to me and everyone involved with working with the Wright Institute [IHPP] staff that we are building IHPTP into the core model of our care delivery plan. … our goal is to be a model of truly integrated physical and behavioral health …we are about to launch a new strategic plan for that has full integration between physical and behavioral health a key initiative, and we see the Wright Institute [IHPP] as a key partner in helping us get there.”

Christopher Farnitano, MD, former Director of Process Redesign & System Integration Ambulatory Care (2017) Contra Costa Health Services

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“The interns and clinical staff from the Wright Institute have played a critical role in integrating mental health services into clinic settings, particularly in our CCHS HIV clinics. Medical Case Managers and clients have reported back to our program that they were able to receive compassionate and helpful health coaching services, especially pertaining to issues most common to people living with HIV: stigma, anxiety, and trauma. I have also had the pleasure of having [IHPTP supervisor] and other clinicians become partners in our larger HIV system of prevention and care. They have been active and informative participants at our regional HIV Consortium for providers and clients, and they both provide and receive warm handoffs from HIV clinicians and program staff. Worth mentioning is that since the Wright Institute interns cannot bill insurance, they have been available to provide affordable and accessible counseling services to our uninsured patients whose HIV care is paid for using Ryan White dollars. Mental health services are in high demand from our clients and having health coaches located in HIV clinical services has helped to remove barriers to care. In the 20/21 fiscal year, our program has existing plans to further our collaboration with the Wright Institute by formalizing a Ryan White billing structure for uninsured patients and by partnering with Wright Institute health coaches to expand PrEP and PEP access in our community.”

Jessica Osorio, HIV/AIDS & STD Program Director, Contra Costa Health Services

 

“The Pride Initiative is a group of staff members whose mission is to integrate practices and policies that foster a safe and inclusive environment, equal access and quality health care services, as well as awareness, acceptance and respect for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and nonbinary employees and service recipients. The Wright Institute [IHPP] staff has been integral to the Pride Initiative efforts, and in establishing and operating the Gender Clinics at Martinez Health Center, West County Health Center, and Pittsburg Health Center. Members of the Wright Institute have regularly attended Pride Initiative meetings for over two and a half years. They have assisted us with various projects including outreach and staffing at local LGBTQ+ events, the Healthcare Equality Index survey, which designates Contra Costa Health Services as a leader in LGBTQ healthcare, and in creating the Transgender Health 101 training, which is being rolled out to providers and staff throughout CCHS. They have also connected us to other local organizations and resources such as WORLD, an organization which supported women and transwomen with HIV, and they regularly attend the HIV Consortium meeting.”

Adrienne Sofranko on behalf of the Pride Initiative, Contra Costa Health Services

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"Having [IHPTP] interns has been incredibly valuable to the psychosocial services offered by [our clinic]. While [our clinic] has had to put in some resources to take advantage of their contribution (chiefly by providing counseling space and an hour of time from the psychosocial team for a meeting with them), they provide services that complement and enhance the mission of [our clinic]. The chief benefits I've seen from having [IHPTP] Interns and Staff: The ability of the clinic to offer psychotherapy without co-pay - a service not available in the community - makes therapy available to low- and no-income patients who would otherwise not be able to get it; the energy to get groups going - always a challenge but incredibly valuable clinically and Increasing the psychological mindedness of the clinic, which enhances integration of the bio psychosocial model. Not only is this true, but it's a nice thing to point out when writing grants”

Lifelong Medical Care, Berkeley Primary Care Access Clinic

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 “I will never forget that the patients I perceived as more ‘difficult’ or with really challenging concerns were the people [the IHPPP trainee] most enjoyed working with. She was fearless and compassionate and I feel very blessed to have worked with and learned so much from [the trainee].”

Primary Care Physician, Contra Costa Health Services 

 

“Respondents across the three projects were generally satisfied with services provided. However, there remain opportunities for improving patients’ health status as well as their functioning as a result of receiving integrated healthcare services. Perceived improvements in functioning due to integration pilot projects were mediocre. The exception is the Wright Institute [IHPTP], whose service recipients reported that providers help them meet their goals, significantly more often than [Program X] and [Program Y] respondents.

 

Respondents’ high levels of satisfaction with Care Coordination suggest that they experience seamless transition of services between mental health and ambulatory care. The Wright Institute [IHPTP] in particular scored well in this area.” 

Health Integration Study Prepared for Conta Costa Health Services, Resource Development Associates 

 

"I view my training experience at IHPTP an excellent foundation for additional training and working in health/primary care psychology. I gained invaluable clinical experience in working with a culturally diverse, underserved patient population and a strong primary care medical team. I have recommended the IHPTP training program to many of my student colleagues." 

Training Program Completer

 

“I enjoyed and appreciated my training as it has motivated and empowered me to pursue my goal of working as an integrative clinician in primary care practice.”

Training Program Completer

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“I found behavioral medicine and psychopharmacology training to be most beneficial to my work as a clinical psychologist in primary care as it enabled me to understand and treat both physical and psychological ailments…thereby improving [patients’] overall health and quality of life.”  

Training Program Completer

 

"I'm extremely grateful for [IHPP provider] and this service. I feel like I can conquer my daily struggles in a more positive manner. This has truly impacted my life for the better.”  

Individual served by IHPP

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“Will recommend to others the same service I am getting with [IHPP] and my PCP. Very satisfied nothing else I can ask for.”

Individual served by IHPP

 

“I have to thank [IHPP psychologist] and [PCP] for my health and change to live and sort things out.”

Individual served by IHPP

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“This is crucial to my health and survival.”

Individual served by IHPP

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