Leading with Compassion: How Dr. Rachel Grimes is Revolutionizing Cystic Fibrosis Care Through Behavioral Health Integration

Dr. Rachel Grimes is a licensed clinical social worker, supervisor, and certified consultant in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trauma therapy. Drawn to the Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program while working as a clinical therapist in a medical setting, she sought to enhance her ability to provide integrated care. As part of the Cystic Fibrosis Care Center in Fort Worth, TX, she delivers comprehensive behavioral health support to pediatric and adult patients with cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary diseases. The DBH program equipped her with the skills to elevate patient care and expand her impact. In addition to her role at the care center, Dr. Grimes serves as Clinical Director of a new mental health clinic in Fort Worth under Nora Mental Health, a national organization dedicated to client-centered care. Her leadership, strengthened by evidence-based strategies from the DBH program, positions her to drive meaningful change and ensure high-quality mental health services for the Fort Worth community. In this interview, Dr. Grimes explores the transformative impact of the DBH program, how it prepared her for leadership roles, her passion for integrated care, and the significance of trauma-informed care in chronic illness management.

How has the DBH program transformed your understanding of behavioral health and influenced your career?

My understanding of behavioral health has been enhanced by my DBH studies. Several of my classes required me to research, analyze, and even create clinical pathways. I was able to study several pulmonology clinical pathways to include both asthma and cystic fibrosis. This increased my understanding of the physical health components of the diseases, which in turn helped me better understand the mental health needs of the diseases. I learned the effectiveness of brief clinic interventions and have been able to advocate to increase my opportunities to provide clinic interventions in my pulmonology clinic. Additionally, other clinics within the hospital followed suit, improving outcomes for pulmonary patients and other patient populations as well.

What innovative approaches or strategies do you believe have the potential to revolutionize the behavioral health landscape?

Integration is defined as a patient centered approach that consists of collaboration between providers of multiple disciplines to address the patients’ physical, mental, and social needs. Before I ever worked in health care, I worked as a clinician in a residential treatment facility for boys. I described my role as “the wallpaper of the home.” What I meant by this was that I wanted to be so integrated into the care that my clinical presence was tangible. Conducting my work in this way allowed me to get to know the boys well, the staff well, and know the needs of the facility inside out. Transitioning this philosophy into physical healthcare is my idea of integrated healthcare. Rather than consulting behavioral health when there is “a problem” or as a last resort, DBHs should be the wallpaper of the hospitals. Having a clinical presence in both the inpatient and outpatient settings allows the DBH to really know the needs of the patients and the staff members. This allows these needs to be addressed, improving outcomes for patients and providers alike.

Looking back at your DBH journey, what specific insights or skills have you gained that have been instrumental in your professional development?

Throughout the program, I focused my research on two main topics, cystic fibrosis and trauma. The populations I work with included patients with cystic fibrosis and patients who experienced trauma. I wanted to know how those two topics intersected and then what to do about it! I could not have even imagined how traumatic medical experiences have been for my patients. For my culminating project, I was able to interview a small cohort of patients with cystic fibrosis across the country regarding their medical experiences. Every patient that I interviewed endorsed some type of medical trauma. They helped me understand the impact of every interaction in the health care realm. They also helped me realize the importance of emotional support throughout a chronic illness journey. Each patient was able to identify a supportive team member or a trauma informed interaction that helped mitigate the trauma associated with their chronic illness journey.

Understanding how crucial my role as a mental health provider for a population of people living with an incurable disease helped me elevate my level of care. In every interaction with patients, I have in the back of my mind that this interaction can either contribute to their trauma or it can help mitigate it. I strive to make every interaction safe, trustworthy, collaborative, and empowering. I view my work as an honor and a privilege and am hopeful that I can help patients cope with a very difficult journey and minimize the trauma symptoms.

What are your future career goals within the behavioral health sector and how do you envision the DBH program contributing to your success?

I feel blessed that I was already working in integrated healthcare prior to entering my DBH program and that I can continue doing so more confidently and more informed. I know for sure that my skills learned in the DBH program helped me improve the current integrated health care process at my hospital. I was able to write a proposal to have an internal psychiatrist join our cystic fibrosis care team. When that was successful, I went on to create an alliance with an external psychiatrist to help provide for our adult patients with cystic fibrosis. I have many other examples of small macro level interventions that helped improve care for patients.

I graduated from the program thinking that the next step was “something BIG” but I am learning that small changes make a BIG difference in helping my patients, and that’s what matters most. Helping patients is why I entered the behavioral health field in the first place. My goal is to continue helping patients on the micro and macro levels, using my DBH skills to enhance patient care.

How do you view the role of leadership in advancing behavioral health outcomes, and in what ways has the DBH program prepared you for leadership positions?

Going into the DBH program, I knew the leadership pillar would be where I would want to focus much of my attention. My access to leadership training and education as a social worker was limited. The DBH program helped me evaluate and identify my leadership style and areas for improvement. I was able to identify a leadership problem and propose a solution for an external agency. This empowered me to begin advocating for the solution as an outside entity.

I learned that leadership comes in many forms and that I can be a leader from any place in my life. I do not have to be “hired” as a supervisor to be a leader. I demonstrate informal leadership in many ways in my job at the hospital. Many of my peers seek me out for help or advice. I can also be a leader for a company where I am not even hired. Although I am not an employee of the federal government any more, I can continue to advocate and support the mission—and that is true leadership.

What advice would you give to prospective students or professionals considering the DBH program?

My first thought is to say GO FOR IT! Education is never a waste of time or money and being a lifelong learner benefits everyone. The DBH program at CGI is a great fit for professionals working in any helping profession. The professors are supportive and the program is designed for individuals already working in the field to draw on their professional experiences and then improve them. The work won’t be easy, but it is invigorating, inspiring, and well worth the effort.

Dr. Rachel Grimes’s experience in the DBH program highlights the power of education, integration, and leadership in transforming healthcare. Armed with advanced clinical knowledge and a deep understanding of trauma-informed care, she has not only enhanced patient outcomes but also reshaped the way behavioral health integrates into medical settings. Her unwavering commitment to making every patient interaction meaningful and her drive to create lasting systemic change showcase the profound impact of the DBH program. As she continues to lead, advocate, and innovate, Dr. Grimes represents the future of behavioral health—one where compassionate, evidence-based care is seamlessly woven into every facet of healthcare. Her story serves as an inspiration for future DBH students and professionals striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.

Connect with Dr. Rachel Grimes

LinkedIn: Dr. Rachel Grimes
Websites: Cook Children’s Cystic Fibrosis Center and Nora Mental Health – Fort Worth, TX | Personalized Therapy

Dr. Rachel Grimes Shares How the DBH Impacted Her Career

Dr. Rachel Grimes Contributes to Upcoming Book: Integrated Behavioral Health: Applying the Biodyne Mindset in Healthcare

Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) is proud to announce the upcoming release of the groundbreaking new book, Integrated Behavioral Health: Applying the Biodyne Mindset in Healthcare, set for publication in January 2026. This new book builds on the foundation laid by Dr. Nicholas A. Cummings and Dr. Janet Cummings, renowned psychologists and co-founders of both the Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) degree program and CGI, who previously introduced the influential Biodyne Model in their seminal work Refocused Psychotherapy as the First Line Intervention in Behavioral Health.

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Testimonials

“As a member of the AAPI community, I’m very familiar with the barriers to mental health services and the need to break through the glass wall of cultural stigma that prevents many from receiving potentially life–saving treatment. I was the only Asian American person in my master’s cohort, the only Asian American person in many of my clinical work settings, the only Asian American person to walk into many of the professional settings that I pushed myself to show up to. In my current practice, I’m constantly reminded by my patients of how difficult it is to find an Asian American mental health provider, though this reminder constantly informs me that more needs to be done for my community. Day after day, I read stories of Asian American people who die by suicide as a consequence of our culture’s avoidance of mental health topics. As a DBH, my biggest goal is to use my expertise in whole–person care to amplify the conversation around mental health and help my community understand that mental healthcare is not a privilege that we are not entitled to, it is a crucial part of our healthcare that will manifest differently in us than what many Western psychology or psychiatry textbooks will describe, and that our unique experience of mental health issues are valid, important, and is time to be part of the larger conversation.”
Willam Chum, LMHCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 16, 2022

“The DBH represents something that I've always embraced in my professional career. And that's collaboration and working across a lot of different disciplines to make sure you’re delivering the best care for the patient. Everything is about being patient centered about finding innovative ways and creative ways to collaborate with other professionals.”
CDR Sean K. Bennett, LCSW, MSWAC, BCDDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - October 10, 2023

“This program will change how you present to the world, not just as a professional but as an individual. Understand this is work but the work is worth it and the journey is undeniably transformative. If you are seeking a doctorate for the title, this is not the program for you. If you are seeking a doctorate to interrupt and disrupt the course of healthcare, then this is the program for you. You won’t find a more supportive program with professors who are dedicated to your success and your education. This program is not about the regurgitation of information. It is about the appropriate applied application of knowledge and information to push forward and become an advocate for equitable and quality care for all.”
Brandy K. Biglow LMHC, CCTP, QSDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 5, 2024

“The Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program has definitely transformed my understanding of behavioral health. Understanding the links between physical and mental health has taught how to make better treatment decisions. The DBH program has also given me insights that otherwise would not be possible and allows me to view individuals through a lens that I was previously ignorant of. This program has helped me grow into a more confident individual, provider, and parent.”
Cory H. Cannady, BCBA, LBADBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 13, 2024

“The DBH program has been a pivotal turning point in my understanding and application of behavioral health principles. Recently, the concept of ‘whole person health’ has gained widespread attention in healthcare circles, becoming somewhat of a buzzword. Like many others, I embraced this term, believing in my capacity to deliver comprehensive care.

Prior to my engagement with the program, my approach, albeit well-intentioned, lacked an appreciation for the intricate interplay between physical and mental health. More importantly, the role of unmet social needs as a catalyst for health disparities was a dimension I had not fully integrated into my practice. The DBH program illuminated these connections, offering me a robust framework to understand and address the multifaceted needs of individuals, especially within marginalized communities.

Additionally, the confidence I have gained through the DBH program extends beyond theoretical knowledge. My role as a connector and advocate for these individuals has become more pronounced, driven by a deep-seated commitment to fostering accessibility, equity, and comprehensiveness in care.”
Michelle Stroebel MA, NCC, LCMHC, NADD-CCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - June 12, 2024

“I have worked in behavioral health for the entirety of my professional career starting with college internships up to my current role as Deputy Executive Commissioner of Behavioral Health for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. While I have years of experience in the field, the DBH program at Cummings has framed my perspective as leveraging therapy as a first line of intervention. As a public servant, much of the work I do is usually in the aftermath of crises or when the system is being forced to respond to a service gap. However, the DBH program takes a much more proactive and integrative approach to health. This perspective/approach has the potential to positively shape policy in Texas in my role as a public servant charged with addressing the safety net needs of the most vulnerable constituents in Texas.”
Trina K. Ita, MA, LPCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - July 10, 2024

“CGI feels like a community of long-lost cousins that finally met as adults and we realized that we share the same goals. The support from the faculty and classmates have been nothing short of amazing. I can reach out to my advisor at any given time to discuss course work, career endeavors, or to just vent about life. There is a feeling of closeness and belongingness at CGI that is just unmatched. I am very happy to be a member of the family and will continue to spread the word of how great this DBH program is.”
Michelle Francis, LCSW/LICSW-QSDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 10, 2024

“The DBH program’s mission, purpose, and objective say it all: We strive for intentional care outcome improvement practices that exemplify whole person-centered integrated healthcare advanced competency. The program of study drives insights and awareness of the ever-changing patient population and multidisciplinary practice environments to change how the world experiences healthcare. This is further reinforced by the pillars of medical literacy, integrated behavioral health intervention, and entrepreneurship skills and expertise. Development growth is needed to prepare the aspiring DBH for the future of the shifting healthcare marketplace through international networking in a growing community of disruptive innovators and an evolving movement toward systemic healthcare change. I feel that I will be positioned alongside a fellowship of like-minded professionals trying to improve the quality of healthcare service delivery value and outcome sustainability.”
Jose Mathew, LCSW, LAC, ACS, EMDR-T, CCTP-IIDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - October 8, 2024

“The DBH program has reinforced my vision of viewing behavioral health (BH) as an integrated component of the healthcare system rather than a siloed service. As a practitioner in the focused BH realm of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, I observe on a regular basis how identifying and serving SUD patients is often missed, ignored and stigmatized in primary healthcare, despite the fact that early intervention at these check-points often has the potential to intervene earlier and lessen the negative SUD outcomes frequently seen by the time a patient reaches specialty SUD services. Reinforcement received in my DBH program has motivated me to promote integration as a leader in my workplace and is a primary factor in considering the long-term trajectory of my individual career path.”
Kenneth L. Roberts, MPS, LPCC, LADCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - November 5, 2024

“By becoming a DBH, I have found that I am able to have different conversations with different people. Before having my doctorate degree, I was able to speak to certain items in behavioral health, but was only seen as a licensed therapist where as a doctor, I am able to speak to the changemakers and policy makers in a more collaborative manner which then allows us as a group to enhance the services we are providing. I also found that as a DBH, my confidence in the treatment room has improved immensely and cases that may have been more difficult for me before are no longer as difficult due to the training I have received in the program.”
Dr. Allison Earl, DBH, LPC-SDBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - November 13, 2024

“I think the DBH is quite groundbreaking, it allows you to study from anywhere in the world. The support is fantastic, and you can make out of the DBH what you want. Unlike standard professional doctorates, the DBH was trying to break new ground, not trying to go over just old ground. It greatly encourages its students to be those people who break new ground.

As a person who actually has a disability, I found CGI staff to be very supportive, very accommodating. If I need extensions, they are always there. In fact the staff will reach out and check on you, if they haven’t heard from you in a very short period of time. Which I have never had from any other university.

I find the community of fellow DBH students absolutely wonderful, we reach out across numerous social media platforms, we email each other. Doesn’t matter where I am in the world or where they are in the world, everyone is supportive. Its support, support and encouragement with the DBH.”
Jason P. Sargent, B Policing, GDip Psych, MSW, JPDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - December 10, 2024

“Graduating from the DBH program has influenced and enhanced my approach to addressing behavioral health challenges and making a difference in the field by preparing me to become a serious business owner. Through the DBH program, I understand now that becoming a business owner not only assists me in reaping the financial benefits of working for myself, but the program also offers me a sense of freedom to make a difference in an individual’s life.”
Dr. Rebecca K. Wright, DBH, LBA, BCBA, QBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - December 18, 2024

“I have always wanted to pursue a higher degree but never found a program that met my needs. When I investigated the DBH program, I can honestly say I was excited. It was a program that would expand my knowledge in behavioral health but also how it relates to physical health. The philosophy of treating the whole person was exactly what I was looking for.”
Elizabeth Nekoloff, M.Ed., LPCC-S, NCCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 16, 2025

“Prior to obtaining my DBH, I practiced behavioral health within the boundaries of behavior analysis. The DBH degree has given me the ability to broaden my scope of competence allowing me to provide a higher quality of care to my clients through a person-centered approach, while still staying within my scope of practice. I was in the beginning stages of opening my business when I enrolled in the DBH program which set my trajectory towards being a stronger leader. The program equipped me with essential healthcare leadership and entrepreneurial skills, allowing me to ensure high-quality services for my clients and foster a supportive work environment for our staff. It has also given me the confidence to expand my business and pursue other healthcare ventures, reaching a broader range of patients in need.”
Dr. Pauline Tolentino Pablo, DBH, BCBA, IBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 21, 2025

“Although I have worked with many patients who have mental health diagnoses, or behaviors which make managing their medical diagnoses and day to day life difficult, the DBH program at CGI is broadening that knowledge and providing a deeper understanding of behavioral health and how best to help these individuals manage their health and improve their quality of life. This will allow me to provide and advocate for more meaningful and seamless integrated care, providing new tools for my intervention toolbox, and the confidence and skills to collaborate within and lead whole person focused interdisciplinary teams. I also anticipate building upon my knowledge as a nurse case manager and long time caregiver, as well as my personal passions and professional vision, learning about processes and operations, to be in position to start up and lead my own company one day, offering the services and care I know every person should have access to.”
Hollie Wilson, MSN, RN, CCMDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 11, 2025

“The Doctor in Behavioral Health (DBH) program has changed my understanding of the subject and career path. Before this academic journey, my knowledge of behavioral health was primarily theoretical, including essential ideas and methods. However, the DBH curriculum combined intense academic research with practical application, helping me understand behavioral health from multiple angles. Recognizing mental health as part of total health changed my perspective. The biopsychosocial model, which showed how biological, psychological, and social variables affect mental health, was stressed in the DBH curriculum. This comprehensive approach made me realize how complex human behavior is and how important it is to address mental health issues. Effective interventions must target the individual’s surroundings, relationships, and life experiences, not just symptoms. The curriculum also gave me enhanced evidence-based practice training to execute successful solutions. Studies methods and data analysis classes improved my critical thinking and allowed me to evaluate and apply behavioral health studies. This gave me the confidence to contribute to the field’s knowledge base through practice and research.”
Dr. Rhea Hill, DBH, LPCDBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 17, 2025

“The DBH program will open opportunities for me to contribute to healthcare system innovation, particularly through trauma-informed care and integrated behavioral health settings. I will be better positioned to advocate for and implement holistic care models that improve health outcomes for underserved populations. Ultimately, this program will help me transition into higher-level roles, such as a director or consultant in behavioral health, where I can influence broader system changes and contribute to the future of healthcare delivery.”
DeKyn Rashad Peters, MPH-CHES,BSW/BA,APCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 4, 2025

“The DBH program has been integral in preparing me for leadership roles by providing a solid foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership within the behavioral health sector. Through coursework, case studies, and hands-on experiences, I have learned to lead with empathy, data-driven decision-making, and strategic planning. The program has also honed my skills in organizational development, communication, and policy advocacy, equipping me to effectively lead teams, drive impactful change, and foster environments that promote positive behavioral health outcomes. With this training, I am confident in my ability to lead initiatives that address systemic barriers and improve care delivery.”
Dr. Jerrika Henderson, DBH, CMHCDBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 18, 2025

DBH Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Rachel Grimes, DBH, LCSW-S