Integrated Health

Readers an awareness that trauma is pervasive, and without proper assessment and early intervention, through appropriate and coordinated treatment, trauma will continue to cause pandemonium in the lives of so many children and families. Looking at the collective trauma of our age, and the much-discussed pain suffered, we can be agents of transformation once we know how to integrate care for individuals and the healthcare field. As healthcare providers, social workers or other caring professionals, we should ask ourselves, “What can I do to promote healing for this patient/client?” Integrated Health shares with readers There is a new paradigm of healthcare and wellness that is qualitatively different in the approach to the interaction of the mind, body, and environment. When it comes to the well-being of the trauma-exposed patient, this is especially true, by examining the impact which trauma caused to the physical body, mental health, emotional health, and spiritual belief system. In fact, research has revealed that traumatic exposure and PTSD are linked to poor physical health with greater utilization of medical care, i.e., primary care, and overall higher morbidity (Taft et al., 1999). Several investigations and ongoing research have revealed connections with lifetime trauma history, or complex trauma, and specific medical diagnoses, even years after trauma occurred.

Bill McFeature Bill J. McFeature, Ph.D. received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology with 16 years of specialized training in integrative behavioral health care field in working with primary care and behavioral health practitioner in treating patients with acute and chronic medical conditions. Dr. McFeature is an SAMHSA and HRSA consultant for both primary care and community behavioral health clinics in the development and implementation of primary care and behavioral health integration model designs that align with AIM objectives. He is also the consultant for the Radford University Integrated Behavioral Health and Wellness Certificate program receiving national recognition for their participation in workforce development initiatives promoting competent integrated behavioral practitioners. Dr. McFeature is also co-author of "HeartPath Practitioner" published in 2009. Dr. McFeature is currently the owner of Kardia Counseling Center and Consultation.

Cinthia Herron-McFeature