The Edge in Behavioral Health

What is "behavioral health"?

“Behavioral health” is a term that is increasingly being used in addition to or, at times, instead of the more conventional term “mental health.” Behavioral health is usually thought of as encompassing a broader field of interaction between physical and emotional well-bring, with “behavior” including not only traditional psychological issues, but also less obvious areas that include “health-related” behavior such as weight and smoking control, adherence to medical regimen, improving health habits and managing reactions and adjustment to illness.

Of course, traditional “mental health” issues such as dealing with depression, anxiety and more severe diagnoses also are dealt with by many behavioral health practitioners.

Who are "behavioral health" practitioners?

Psychologists, marriage and family counselors, social workers, psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatrists are the types of clinicians who practice behavioral health.

Cognitive health

Behavior, thinking and how we perceive things and interact with our world is determined largely by what we call “cognition.” Cognitive health refers to our abilities in memory, learning and reasoning. Aging, as well as certain medical conditions can impact one’s cognitive health. Many behavioral health practitioners, especially those working with an older population, are also trained to diagnose and treat cognitive disorders and work to improve cognitive health. While dementia is a type of condition that cognitive health practitioners would be involved with, other conditions such as mild traumatic brain injury and post CVA rehabilitation are areas that cognitive health clinicians work with.