Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health services are available to help you manage and focus on physical concerns that have a mental health component. Our providers focus on addressing specific symptoms with behavioral strategies.
Behavioral Health providers are psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals who work with medical providers and patients on the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects of health—and determine the best way to address these symptoms.
Behavioral Health consultations are brief (usually 30 minutes) and solution-focused, typically occurring over the course of 1-3 visits, such as helping you improve the quality of your sleep.
Counseling visits are longer (60 minutes), with more time spent understanding historical patterns of behavior and processing experiences.
Schedule an appointment
You must receive a referral from a UHS medical provider to book a Behavioral Health appointment. Book an appointment with Primary Care, Gynecology, Sexual Health, or other UHS medical provider to start the process.
Nicotine cessation does not require a referral. Call (608) 265-5600 (option 1) to schedule an appointment.
What to know
What health concerns are addressed in Behavioral Health?
Behavioral Health providers can help students manage symptoms associated with various chronic medical conditions or help you cope better with these conditions including:
- headaches,
- sleep problems,
- pain,
- irritable bowel syndrome,
- stress management, and/or
- smoking cessation.
What should patients expect?
Behavioral Health providers will ask questions about physical symptoms, emotional concerns, and lifestyle choices. Expect to obtain brief, solution-focused recommendations for health improvement and then see the Behavioral Health provider in the medical clinic for the next appointment. A Behavioral Health provider will help you and your medical provider(s) develop and implement an integrated health care plan.
Visits with a Behavioral Health provider are shorter in duration and fewer in number. A provider may advise traditional mental health services at Mental Health Services or elsewhere.
How is Behavioral Health different from Mental Health?
Behavioral Health is a component in overall health care; however, the Behavioral Health Provider does not provide traditional psychotherapy. Pertinent information from a student’s behavioral health appointment will be noted in their medical record, not in a mental health record.