This certificate program offers advanced training and competence at the undergraduate level for students to deliver brief, evidence-based behavioral health interventions in integrated care settings. It is crafted to be an add-on certificate for individuals majoring in the BS Health Psychology or the BA Psychology programs, but is open to other disciplines such as social work, nursing, or addiction studies.  The required internship is specific to the Behavioral Health Support Specialist (BHSS) certificate and cannot duplicate other internships.  PSYC 408 must be completed with a grade of ≥B before the first BHSS internship. All required courses must be passed with a grade ≥B.

Prior to declaring, students must (a) complete an admittance interview to ensure students fully understand expectations of the BHSS certificate and (b) pass each of the following prerequisite courses with a grade ≥B. Students must pass each of the following prerequisite courses with a grade ≥B: PSYC 301, PSYC 302, PSYC 317, PSYC 420.

Internship Requirements: PSYC 495 is a variable credit course that must be taken twice at 4 credits each quarter (approximately 6 months), consecutively. Although the responsibility to get placed at an Internship site is ultimately up to the student and depends on availability of placements available during any given quarter, the Internship Coordinator will assist with placement to the best of their ability. If a student is able and willing to engage in a 9-month (or 3-quarter) internship (this may be required by internship sites in some cases), this may expand possibilities for BHSS Internship placement, and the student would need to register for 4 Internship credits every quarter. Only the internship specific to the BHSS will count toward this requirement given the competency expectations.

Required Courses for the Certificate
PSYC 303	FOUNDATION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY	5
PSYC 323	DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR	5
PSYC 408	COLLABORATIVE CARE & BHSS INTERNSHIP PREP	5
PSYC 409	BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND INTERVENTION	5
PSYC 495	INTERNSHIP	8
PSYC 498	SEMINAR (Mental Health Law & Ethical Practice)	2
Total Credits		30

Students who earn a Behavioral Health Support Specialist Certificate from EWU should be able to:

• incorporate social determinants of health (SDOHs) into brief behavioral health interventions, as appropriate;
• describe how systems that support health (policies, programs, practices, services, and environments) can be used to reduce health disparities/inequities;
• demonstrate motivational enhancement (e.g., open-ended questions, reflections, affirmations, summaries) skills to engage clients in brief behavioral interventions;
• engage clients with openness, curiosity, and respect regarding their cultural backgrounds and identities;
• demonstrate application of models of integrated/collaborative care and service provision;
• review client progress and response to behavioral health interventions with symptom severity measures (e.g., depressive symptoms from PHQ-9);
• demonstrate investment in timely and accurate documentation of client encounters;
• deliver brief, evidence-based behavioral health interventions, especially those addressing depression and anxiety symptom severity;
• articulate and apply relevant legal and ethical issues for mental health service provision.​