Certificate in Integrative Behavioral Health

This groundbreaking certificate demonstrates the dramatic shift taking place as a growing number of alternative, holistic, and integrative therapies are being used to treat mental disorders. While the field of integrative medicine emphasizes treating the mind, body, and spirit, integrative mental health offers a new approach to treating mental disorders by applying conventional and evidence-based complementary and alternative therapies. While medication and psychotherapy can save lives, they can also be part of an integrative solution to mental health conditions. Topics covered include anxiety disorders, Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorders in children and adolescents, chronic pain, depression, sleep disorders, and mental health and aging.

The outcome of this certificate is for the learner to describe various mental disorders and alternative, holistic, and integrative therapies that are being used to treat these disorders.

(24.0 contact hours)

Expiration Date (Next date of course revision): 07/11/2026

Conflicts of Interest and Relevant Financial Relationships: The authors/planning committee members have no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships to declare relevant to this activity.

Non-endorsement of Products: Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA approval or endorsement of any commercial product.

Accreditation:

American Nurses Credentialing Center

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA Learning Solutions or Commission on Accreditation approval or endorsement of any commercial product(s).

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions courses are acceptable for continuing education in all states.

American Board of Managed Care Nursing

The American Board of Managed Care Nursing recognizes all of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions' ANCC accredited courses for continuing education credit for Certified Managed Care Nurses (CMCNs).

National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions is an approved provider with the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) (Provider #107194).

National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. To satisfy the requirement for renewal of certification by continuing education for the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE), continuing education activities must be applicable to diabetes and approved by a provider on the NCBDE List of Recognized Providers (www.ncbde.org). NCBDE does not approve continuing education.

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider (Provider Number 451562-11).

What you will learn

• Describe the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for ADHD
• Discuss the symptoms, aspects of care, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease
• Identify types of anxiety disorders and treatment options
• Examine symptoms, risk factors, and traditional and integrative treatment methods for bipolar disorder in children and adolescents
• Describe pain management, types of pain, and integrative treatments for chronic pain
• Describe the different forms of depressive disorders and treatment approaches for depression
• Discuss the most commonly occurring mental health problems experienced by older adults
• Examine the nature and extent of PTSD
• Identify sleep disorders and treatment methods

How you will benefit

• Learn how alternative, holistic, and integrative therapies are being used to treat various mental health disorders such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, PTSD, sleep disorders, and chronic pain.
• Describe how mental health disorders of the aging population may benefit from a combination of traditional and integrative therapies.
• Discover ways to improve your total health and well-being and positively impact your life and the life of your family.
• Learn new information that can help you prepare for a career in many areas of health (including health education, public health, nursing, medicine, social work, environmental health, or health coaching) as well as other fields (such as law, political science, advocacy, etc.).
• Enhance your professional marketability with training specific to the topics covered.
• Build knowledge and competencies needed to advance your career and/or improve your personal health and well-being.
• Fulfill continuing education and/or national certification requirements.

Outline

Anxiety Disorders: An Integrative Approach

Anxiety disorders are the most common, and frequently occurring, mental disorders. Anxiety is manifested by disturbances of mood, as well as of thinking, behavior, and physiological activity. The five major types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia disorder (or social anxiety disorder), and panic disorder.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to provide an overview of anxiety disorders, describe conventional treatment modalities, and examine integrative treatment approaches.

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents: An Integrative Approach

It is sometimes difficult to determine if a child or adolescent is going through a "phase" or showing signs of a more serious psychiatric challenge such as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in moods and energy. These shifts are different from the normal "ups and downs" that every child or teenager goes through from time to time. Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder can suffer from damaged relationships, substance abuse, poor school performance, and even commit suicide. However, today there are more treatment options available than ever before for children and adolescents with this disorder.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe bipolar disorder in children and adolescents; the symptoms, risk factors, and traditional treatment methods available for this specific population; and integrative approaches to assessing, treating, and managing this disorder.

Sleep Disorders: An Integrative Approach

Sleep disorders are very common complaints and they include difficulty falling asleep, early awakening, and interrupted sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one-third of adults say they get enough sleep every night. The primary types of sleep disorders, methods of diagnosing sleep conditions, conventional treatments, and integrative approaches to sleep disorders will be presented.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe sleep disorders and conventional as well as integrative treatment approaches for sleep disorders. The primary types of sleep disorders, methods of diagnosing sleep conditions, conventional treatments, and integrative approaches will be presented.

Mental Health and Aging

The enormous increase in the diverse elderly population has prompted a vital societal challenge: the design and delivery of mental health services to the older adult. Because the elderly population in the United States and globally is projected to grow rapidly, the need for geriatric mental health services will also increase dramatically. Continued intellectual, social, and physical activity throughout the life cycle are important for the maintenance of mental health in later life. This course explores the issues of mental wellness strategies for the aging adult, cultural diversity as it relates to mental health, and traditional as well as integrative therapies to support mental health in the aging population.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to discuss the most commonly occurring mental health problems experienced by older adults and important factors related to mental health promotion and wellness, as well as strategies, therapies, and services that may be directed at improving the mental health of the elderly.

Depression: An Integrative Approach

Depression is one of the most serious and costly health care problems facing the United States today. It is one of the most common types of mental disorders. Depression interferes with an individual's daily life, normal functioning, and may cause emotional pain for the individual with the disorder and family and friends. Although depression is a common but serious mental illness, with treatment depressive symptoms can be alleviated.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the different forms of depressive disorders, pathophysiology, symptoms, and diagnosis as well as the conventional and integrative treatment approaches for depression.

Chronic Pain: An Integrative Approach to Effective Pain Management

Pain interferes with the enjoyment of life. It makes it difficult to work, socialize with friends and family, sleep, and accomplish activities of daily living. It may reduce productivity and create financial hardships in terms of lost work and high medical bills. Chronic pain can lead to a loss of appetite, depression, and physical weakness as well as a loss of the joy of life.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the scope of chronic pain, key historical events in pain management, the physiology of pain, types of pain, conventional pharmacological treatments for pain, and integrative approaches to pain management.

Alzheimer's Disease: Mysteries and Possibilities

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a condition in which the concept of loss is central—the loss of one's memories, independence, the ability to recognize loved ones, and the loss of dignity. Often referred to as "the long goodbye," AD is the most common type of dementia, affecting millions of Americans. It is responsible for billions of dollars annually in health care costs. However, new research is providing hope for those with Alzheimer's disease as well as for their families and caregivers.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the signs and symptoms of AD, methods of diagnosis, aspects of care and treatment, caregiver issues, integrative health considerations, and implications for the future of Alzheimer's disease and various other types of dementia.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

When individuals experience a traumatic, terrifying, life-changing event or series of events, with a real or threatened risk of death, they may experience a variety of symptoms known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although this condition has been described throughout history, veterans groups and health-care providers have been slow to acknowledge its existence or explore the many dimensions of the disorder.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the nature and extent of PTSD. Potential causes of the disorder, risk factors associated with PTSD, symptoms and diagnostic criteria for individuals with PTSD, and current treatment options for individuals with PTSD are examined.

ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD have trouble paying attention, focusing, controlling impulsive behaviors, or they may be overly active.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the extent of ADHD in the United States, the signs and symptoms of the disorder, potential causes and risk factors, diagnostic issues to consider, and traditional as well as integrative treatment options for ADHD.

Substance Abuse—Recognition, Intervention, And Prevention

Individuals abuse substances for a variety of complicated reasons. Abused substances produce some form of intoxication that alters judgment, perception, attention, and/or physical control. Substance abuse impacts individuals, families, and communities across the globe. Social attitudes and political and legal responses to the abuse of substances make it an especially complicated public health issue. Prevention, early intervention, and the availability of a variety of treatment options contribute significantly to reducing the incidence and impact of substance abuse.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the key issues in the recognition, intervention, and prevention of substance abuse.

Suicide Assessment, Treatment, And Prevention

Suicide—taking your own life—is a tragic reaction to stressful life circumstances. Approximately 800,000 to one million people die by suicide in the world each year. This means someone commits suicide every 40 seconds. In the United States, there is one death by suicide every 12 minutes. Understanding the issues surrounding suicide and mental health is a vital step in preventing suicide, helping others in crisis, and changing the way all of us view suicide and mental health issues.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the incidence of, risk factors for, and ways to treat and prevent suicide.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.