Empowered Patient Podcast

Dr. Kristin MacGregor, a clinical psychologist and senior clinical director of Integrated Behavioral Health at LifeStance Health, the largest outpatient mental health practice in the U.S., employing nearly 7,000 clinicians across 33 states to provide therapy, psychiatry, and psychological/neuropsychological services both in-person and virtually. They work with large medical practices and health systems to help build integrated behavioral health programs using the collaborative care model. Integrating mental health into primary care settings can help address early warning signs of cognitive decline, reduce stigma, and improve collaboration between providers to address both mental and physical health needs better and manage chronic diseases. Kristin explains, "I think anything that removes barriers to people accessing mental health care when they actually need it is a positive thing. The research shows that it takes 11 years, on average, between the time someone experiences a mental health symptom and the time