AIMS program

UW AIMS Center Site Map

The AIMS program, known more locally as BHI (Behavioral Health Integration) or IBH (Integrated Behavioral Health) is a triangular cooperative between a therapist, the primary care provider, and a psychiatric consultant.

In this model, the primary care physician may request assistance in treating a patient with a mental illness. The referral will be screened and sent to a therapist who will schedule with the patient and begin care, including an intake assessment. The therapist will present the patient to the psychiatric consult, who doesn't typically have direct contact with the patient.

This works well in expanding the quality of care for diagnosis that primary care doctors would already be managing by adding in the therapy component and the consultant's additional assistance.