If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately by dialing 988. For local crisis intervention and immediate support in our service areas, you can reach TSG Behavioral Health & Community Services at our main office line or visit our nearest location. Emergency services are available 24/7 through the national lifeline.
As we move into March and the first signs of Spring begin to appear in North Carolina, many of us are revisiting the health goals we set at the start of the New Year. For many North Carolinians, especially those navigating the complexities of the Medicaid system, the "fresh start" of Spring is the perfect time to address health concerns that may have felt overwhelming during the winter months. One of the most effective ways to achieve lasting wellness is through a model of treatment known as integrated care.
But what does "integrated care" actually mean for you? In short, it is a "whole-person" approach where your primary care doctor and your behavioral health therapist work as a unified team. At TSG Behavioral Health & Community Services, we prioritize this collaborative model because we know that mental health and physical health are not two separate entities, they are deeply interconnected.
The Disconnect in Traditional Healthcare
For decades, the American healthcare system has operated in "silos." You might see a primary care doctor for your high blood pressure or diabetes, and then see a therapist across town for anxiety or depression. Often, these two professionals never speak to each other. This lack of communication can lead to conflicting advice, missed diagnoses, and a feeling that you are "slipping through the cracks."
For our clients using Medicaid, this fragmentation is even more challenging. Navigating different offices, managing multiple referral forms, and ensuring each provider has your updated medication list can become a full-time job. Integrated care removes this burden by placing the communication responsibility on the providers, not the patient.
Visual: A diverse group of healthcare professionals, including an African American male doctor and a Latina therapist, sitting at a conference table discussing a digital patient chart.
What Integrated Care Looks Like at TSG Behavioral Health
When you enter our system at TSG, you aren't just getting a single service; you are entering a coordinated ecosystem of care. Whether you are seeking support through our Mental Health Services or specialized programs like Substance Use Services, the goal remains the same: a unified treatment plan.
Integrated care at TSG means:
- Shared Information: With your consent, your therapist and doctor share progress notes and treatment goals.
- Medication Coordination: Your medical provider understands how your mental health medications might interact with physical health treatments.
- Comprehensive Wellness: We look at "social determinants of health," such as housing and food security, alongside your clinical symptoms.
Our leadership team, including Dr. Kerry L. Shipman, ensures that our organizational structure supports this high level of coordination. By having experts like Elton Amos, M.D. working within a framework that values behavioral health, we bridge the gap between the stethoscope and the therapy couch.
Why Integrated Care is a Game-Changer for Medicaid Clients
Medicaid clients often face unique systemic barriers. Transportation issues, childcare needs, and the stress of economic instability can make attending multiple appointments at different locations nearly impossible. Integrated care addresses these barriers directly.
Research shows that when care is integrated, patients experience significantly better health outcomes. A major meta-analysis demonstrated that integrated care interventions produce significant beneficial effects on care access and continuity of care. For someone on Medicaid, "continuity of care" means you don't have to start your story over from the beginning every time you see a new specialist. Your team already knows you.
Visual: A culturally diverse family, a grandmother, mother, and young child, smiling together in a community park setting, representing the multi-generational benefits of stable, integrated healthcare.
The Real-World Benefits of a Coordinated Team
If you are wondering if this model truly works, the data is clear. Here are four specific ways integrated care changes lives:
1. Better Medication Adherence
One of the biggest risks in healthcare is "poor adherence", when a patient stops taking medication because of side effects or confusion. Research indicates that when care is integrated, the percentage of patients showing poor adherence drops from 30% to just 12%. When your therapist can see that your new antidepressant is making you too drowsy to work, they can immediately alert your medical provider to adjust the dosage.
2. Improved Chronic Disease Management
Many of our clients deal with "comorbidities," which is a fancy way of saying they have more than one health issue at once. For example, living with chronic pain often leads to depression, and depression can make it harder to manage physical pain. Integrated care allows specialists like Christina Evans, MSW, LCSW and Alexis Green, LCSW-A to work alongside medical staff to treat the root causes of both conditions simultaneously.
3. Reduced Hospital Use
Fragmented care often leads to the Emergency Room. When a mental health crisis isn't caught early because a primary care doctor didn't know what to look for, the situation can escalate. Integrated care provides a safety net that catches these issues early, reducing the need for expensive and stressful hospitalizations.
4. Reduced Caregiver Burden
For families supporting a loved one with mental health or substance use challenges, the administrative work can be exhausting. When TSG manages the coordination, the burden on the family is lifted. Our Community-Based Services are designed to support the individual within their family and community context.
Visual: A professional woman of Middle Eastern descent in a clinical setting, showing a patient a digital tablet with a clear, easy-to-read wellness plan.
Meet the People Behind Your Care
At TSG Behavioral Health & Community Services, our Employees are our greatest asset. We have assembled a diverse team of professionals who understand the cultural nuances of the communities we serve. From clinical experts like Keyana M. Shyrier, M.Ed and Nakeem Nicholas to specialists in addiction such as Audrey Watson, LCAS and Nina Griffin, LCAS-A, every member of our staff is trained to work within an integrated framework.
This means that whether you are talking to Meredith Barnes Cain about administrative needs or working with Shaun Raughley or Latia Williams on your treatment goals, you are receiving care that is informed by the latest research and a deep commitment to your total well-being.
Taking the First Step This Spring
Spring is a time of renewal and growth. If you have been struggling to manage your health because it feels like you're being pulled in too many directions, integrated care might be the answer. We invite you to learn more about our approach by exploring our Digital Resources or our Informational Guides.
We accept Medicaid and are dedicated to ensuring that every North Carolinian, regardless of their background or income, has access to world-class, integrated healthcare. You don't have to manage your health journey alone. Let our coordinated team walk with you.
Visual: A close-up of two hands joined, one younger and one older, symbolizing the partnership between the provider and the patient in a clinical yet warm environment.
For more information or to schedule an intake appointment, please contact us today. Our staff, including Gabriele Brown, is ready to assist you in navigating your benefits and starting your path to integrated wellness.
TSG Behavioral Health & Community Services
Providing Whole-Person Care for a Healthier Community.
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© 2026 TSG Behavioral Health & Community Services. All Rights Reserved. Professional counseling and behavioral health services provided by licensed clinicians. Integrated care models are implemented in accordance with state and federal healthcare guidelines.
