Integrating Community and Care: Dr. Allison Earl’s Post DBH Journey and Impact

November 13, 2024

Dr. Allison Earl, a Doctor of Behavioral Health and Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma, brings a wealth of expertise to her patients at Hands To Guide You and to the field of integrated behavioral health. She holds a master’s degree in Human Relations in Counseling from the University of Oklahoma and earned her doctorate at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI), specializing in trauma-informed care, women’s health, and integrated care. Dr. Earl is especially known for her work with Autism Spectrum Disorder across all ages and her holistic approach to healthcare, aiming to treat the whole person rather than just addressing symptoms. Certified as both a Clinical Trauma Professional and Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, she has shared her expertise as a guest on various podcasts. Honored as a Designated Woman of Distinction in 2020, she has also made significant contributions to the field through her publications, including Trauma, Pregnancy, and the Brain: A Clinical Pathway and Trauma and an Autism Diagnosis, along with a paper on psychedelics in mental health, which contributed to a psychopharmacology module. In this interview, Dr. Earl shares insights on her DBH experience and how the program has impacted her career since graduating from CGI.

How has graduating from the DBH program influenced your approach to addressing behavioral health challenges and making a difference in the field?

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.

What are your primary professional interests within the realm of behavioral health, and how do these align with your career goals?

My primary professional interests are to be the gold standard provider for women’s behavioral health and Autism diagnosis and treatment across all age ranges not only in Oklahoma but across the US. These align with my career goals as all of my published works and most of my podcast appearances allow me to reach a larger audience and offer my expertise in behavioral health and treatment.

Can you share a memorable experience or turning point in your DBH journey that shaped your perspective on integrated care?

I will never forget when I was training as a candidate and my mentor had taken me across the street to one of the largest hospitals in our area to learn how to collaborate and do warm handoffs. It was probably the following week and we got a call from labor and delivery at the hospital and my mentor directed me to put on my white coat (Master’s level) and go treat the patient on my own. It felt so much like being thrown to the fire, but it also made me be on my game 100% of the time. When in community mental health, I have learned that you must be comfortable treating everything that walks through the door and if you are not, staffing cases appropriately and often will lead to you becoming even more of an expert in the room.

What impact do you hope to make with your DBH degree?

One way I would like to create positive changes in behavioral health and in my community is to work more with the school systems on a referral basis. I also would like to offer more mental health training for other professions so they are better able to assist their employees if/when the employees are struggling with a mental health/behavioral health related issue. Lastly, I would like to decrease the amount of patients being seen in the hospital/ER setting for behavioral health needs versus physical health needs.

What motivates you to advance within the integrated care behavioral health field?

My drive and motivation come from wanting to be the best in my field. I love what I do. I love treating patients and teaching other providers such as my interns or candidates. I believe I am meant to train the next wave of experts so they may take over when my time in the field comes to an end. I also want to make an impact on my patients and when I see how much I help them, it continues to make me want to come to work everyday to change lives and save lives.

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

My advice would be: you get what you give to the program. The program offers very diverse knowledge and utilizing it in a way that benefits the person and their patients/clients/students/etc is the turning point in the program. Find your passion and pursue it with tenacity and you will become the expert you aspire to be.

Dr. Alison Earl’s journey and commitment to integrated behavioral health highlight the profound impact a Doctor of Behavioral Health can make on both individual patient care, their community, and the healthcare field as a whole. Her commitment to treating the whole person, pioneering new approaches in women’s health and autism care, and her passion for sharing knowledge with the next generation of professionals underscore her dedication to improving patient outcomes and leadership in the field. Through her work and advocacy, she continues to elevate the standards of behavioral health care, inspiring others to pursue meaningful change and deeper integration within healthcare systems. Dr. Earl’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the profound difference skilled, compassionate leaders can make in shaping a more holistic, responsive approach to integrate healthcare.

Connect with Dr. Allison Earl

LinkedIn: Dr. Allison Earl
Hands To Guide You: https://www.h2gy.com/

Dr. Allison Earl Shares What She Hopes to Achieve as a DBH

Learn More About Dr. Allison Earl’s DBH Culminating Project Research

Dr. Earl’s DBH culminating project was entitled Women’s Health Solutions, LLC: A trauma-informed women’s health initiative. The entrepreneurial-focused project is an all-encompassing program designed to start at the beginning of a patient’s confirmation of pregnancy through at least one year postpartum.

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Check Out Dr. Allison Earl on the Disruptors at Work Podcast

Disruptors at Work: an Integrated Care Podcast, Episode, Tackling Youth Mental Health with Dr. Allison Earl, DBH, LPC-S and Dr. Rebecca Wright, DBH, LBA, BCBA, QBA.

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Disruptors at Work: an Integrated Care Podcast, Episode, Ask a DBH: Rural Telehealth Integration with Dr. Allison Earl, DBH, LPC-S and Dr. Amanda Barnard, DBH, LCSW, MSW.

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Disruptors at Work: an Integrated Care Podcast, Episode, Ask a DBH: Healthcare Technology and Integrated Care with Dr. Allison Earl, DBH, LPC-S, Shadiase Jack, LCSW-C, and
Jeremy Henderson-Teelucksingh, MHR, M.A., LPC/MHSP, NCC/CCMHC.

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Dr. Allison Earl 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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Read Dr. Allison Earl’s Article on How to Manage News Anxiety

We have all had those days where it seems like all we see and hear about in the news is negative. We all know that we need to move past only focusing on the bad news that we see. With so many different points of view, it can be challenging to know what are good sources and which are bad ones. For those who fall either far left or far right, they have the particular news outlets they prefer to follow due to their belief system and political affiliation.

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Testimonials

“The totally online DBH program offered by Cummings Graduate Institute of Behavioral Health Studies is focused on the professional I have grown into: a synergistic disrupter for the healthcare industry, who is passionate about Wholistic Healthcare (e.g., health, behavioral health, and Social Determinants of Health and Mental Health), rendered skillfully through interprofessional teams. The program pillars of medical literacy, integrated behavioral health interventions, and entrepreneurship resonate loudly with me. The healthcare industry will continue to change, with doctoral level professionals needed to play a major role in any successful transformation. My goal is to further advance my knowledge-base, professional standing, and industry commitment to be part of these transformational efforts. In this way I can heed the Quadruple Aim: assuring quality-driven patient-centric care is rendered at the right time, through the right population-based treatment processes, at the right cost, and by empowered professionals embracing the work and committed to their charge.”
Ellen Fink-Samnick MSW, ACSW, LCSW, CCM, CRPDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 11, 2020

“In the time that I have been a student at CGI, I have learned that integrated healthcare is no longer the exception; providers want behavioral health clinicians on their team. My courses demonstrate that the services that a DBH can offer are valuable and the opportunities abound. I’m learning that as a DBH, I can work to create a new norm in healthcare, one that promotes holistic care provided by a collaborative team delivering diverse services. I now view behavioral healthcare as a crucial piece of the medical care puzzle, rather than a separate entity. I can see the gaps in care that a DBH can fill and why including a DBH in treatment is critical. I am beginning to see how I will play a role in disrupting healthcare to provide quality treatment while advocating for my patients. Although I may still have to explain my role at times, I am learning that once I do, others will seek out my services. I am gaining confidence in what I bring to the medical team and am continuously expanding my knowledge of what else I can do.”
Jennifer KellyDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - July 26, 2020

“As a Social Worker, I believe my main mission includes advocating for and empowering patients. The DBH degree will allow me to fully integrate the “medical side of the house” with the “behavioral health side”. My experience working side-by-side with medical providers (PCM’s, ED docs, Hospitalists, etc…) has shown that most of them do not understand behavioral health issues nor how medical symptoms or diagnoses can effect a patients’ mental health and vice-versa. Alternatively, I have worked with a multitude of behavioral health providers who have very limited knowledge of how medical issues might affect their clients. I have often wondered how many patients I have had who were diagnosed with depression or anxiety or other DSM-V diagnosis when in reality the origin was medical. Earning a DBH will allow me to push the envelope when it comes to consulting with medical providers and promote the inclusion of “behavioral healthcare” within “healthcare” as its ALL healthcare! As Mahatma Ghandi said “be the change you wish to see in the world”; earning a DBH will enhance my ability to “change the world” – even if it’s one medical provider or one patient at a time.”
Diane Scott, MSW, LCSWDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - August 7, 2020

“My friend and I were talking about the challenges and frustrations that we face daily in our careers with the clear divide between mental health and physical health and how we wished we had the knowledge and skills to shake up healthcare and bridge the gap. She brought up researching doctorate programs and how interested she was in the DBH. My reponse was, “What on earth is a DBH?” She laughed and said it was a newer doctorate degree in behavioral health, that focused directly on integrated care and doing exactly what we were dreaming of doing….shaking up healthcare and bridging the gap and treating the person as a whole. I had a hard time believing her. It sounded too good to be true. How was there a degree out there that fit my goals and aspirations to a T without me knowing about it? I had been looking periodically throughout my 20 year journey in behavioral health for a program that resonated with me. It was here all this time? How had I missed it? I immediately spent hours scouring the internet to find any crumb of information that I could about the Doctorate of Behavioral Health and the programs associated with it. Then I hit the jackpot. I found the Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies.”
Amy McConnell, LCSWDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 18, 2020

“During my tenure as a student at CGI, I wrote a book review that was published in the International Journal of Integrated Care. One of my papers became a newsletter article, a pitch for my population health class became a poster presented at a CFHA conference, a book chapter was developed based on a paper I wrote for my independent study, and I am submitting my CP project to a journal this weekend. So, everything that you write during the program is potentially publishable! You have the advantage of having faculty read and give you feedback on it before submitting it. Take risks! The worst that can happen if you submit a paper for publication is receiving a rejection letter. Well, if you don’t send it you’re already acting as if the paper had been rejected. 😉 Plus, if you receive a rejection letter, it usually comes with feedback, so you can improve your paper and send it again!”
Dr. Liliane de Aguiar-Rocha, DBH, BCBADBH Alumni, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - October 9, 2020

“There is a substantial need for integrating care between our physical, and mental health. The gap between these domains are more so overlooked among those with developmental delays and intellectual disabilities – the very population I serve as a Behavior Analyst. Filling these gaps entails work that demands for a DBH who is competent, empathetic, and altruistic.”
Pauline Pablo, BCBADBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - November 11, 2020

“My interest in a DBH degree grew out of frustration and hope. On one hand, I grew frustrated with the quality of care my clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities were receiving. As members of a marginalized population who lack the skills to advocate for themselves, the clients I serve receive subpar medical care, mental health care, and behavioral health care. Many healthcare providers are not trained to address the unique language and cognitive challenges present when serving a person with Autism and I/DD.

On the other hand, as I learned more about the DBH program, a potential solution came into view. I believe this program will allow me to acquire the knowledge and skills to become a better advocate for my clients, and new job opportunities will open up in positions in which I will be able to make a bigger impact on a system level, thus improving quality of life for many clients. A DBH degree will command interest and respect from other healthcare professionals who are evaluating their practices and noticing areas in which they are not being effective, namely the behavioral health side of the equation. As we are learning in our first classes about the Biodyne Model, the Integrated Care Model is not widely accepted or known in the healthcare field, despite its proven track record. I believe a DBH degree provides the necessary tool to change the landscape of healthcare provision by arming my passion for this topic with knowledge and concrete strategies.”
Valeria ParejoDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 15, 2021

“As a Doctorate of Behavioral Health (DBH) student my vision for healthcare is to disrupt the current model, close gaps to care and create healthcare improvements. In the evolving world of healthcare I believe behavioral healthcare providers (BCP) are essential to the development of integrative healthcare. Once I obtain a DBH degree, I know I will gain a leadership role and be able to add quality to the creation of integration efforts worldwide. I know I will graduate with the essential tools I need to stand at the forefront of integrated healthcare. I want to create healthcare improvements for marginalized populations that are typically underserved or forgotten. As an individual of two minority groups; woman and African American, I am very passionate about helping reduce cultural, ethnic, social economic and geographic disparities within healthcare systems.”
Ebony WatsonDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 30, 2021

“Since beginning my studies at CGI, I have been awakened to how much I truly did not know and understand despite my specialty training in Social Work and behavioral health needs. The classes at CGI allow me to explore topics that I may not have thought to investigate and encourage me to question and think outside the “normal” delivery of behavioral health services. Services that I previously thought were quality and designed to meet the needs of special populations, I now believe to be woefully inadequate to serve the needs of the patients. Patients cannot receive the best quality, efficient, and timely care they need and deserve within institutions that are not integrated. Institutions that continue to silo and do not encourage collaboration and integration are not focused on the needs of the patient.”
Amanda BarnardDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 30, 2021

“I believe, as a DBH, I will disrupt the current healthcare systemby promotingguaranteed health care for allasa right, not a privilege.I willadvocate fora national, rather than state, licensing of providers. This will allow clinicians (medical,behavioral health, etc…) to provide care across state lines using telemedicine.Finally, the skills I have learned at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies allow me to identify healthcare delivery concerns, propose alternative interventions and cost–effective solutions and evaluate theirreturn on investment.”
Diane ScottDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 29, 2021

“Since entering CGI, I have more confidence in discussing the need for healthcare systems to have a population health approach to care, and to put in place “upstream” programming. I have always been proud of working in a hospital and delivering care, working as a multidisciplinary team member, and making a difference. I now realize I have been part of healthcare’s focus of “treating the sick” rather than being an influencer for preventative care.

Preventative care can be part of service delivery from a hospital system; we should not rely only on public health programs to tackle social determinants of health. COVID-19 is not only impacting mental health but also how we are delivering medical care. Could COVID-19 be an unintended force for healthcare policy change? Apostolopoulos et al. (2020) reports the complexity presented to the health care system by COVID-19 has created change that will continue in healthcare for years to come. The needed changes to delivery and access will require a policy shift in all levels of healthcare (Apostolopoulos et al., 2020).”
Billie RatliffDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - December 13, 2021

“The DBH is exactly the type of doctorate degree that I’ve been searching for. A doctorate that is clinical focused is where my interest lies. I am motivated to pursue this degree, and courses like Pathophysiology, Psychopharmacology, Neuropathophysiology, only add to that excitement. One must be motivated to complete any degree program. The Doctor of Behavioral Health fits that bill for me. In fact, I would say that I am beyond motivated.”
Arthur Williams IIIDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - July 8, 2022

“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 ChumDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 16, 2022

“Pursuing a doctorate in behavioral health is essential in helping to transform my thinking as a healthcare provider; moving from a more traditional mindset, embracing change and a “different world view” of tools for successful client outcomes. This type of advanced study will equip me with the clinical and leadership skills to be a leader on the cutting edge of behavioral health. This type of training would make me an asset to the healthcare workplace; specifically to function effectively as a change agent for the successful outcomes of the workplace and its clients.”
Judith AllenDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 23, 2022 Previous Slide