Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Celebrates 10 Years of Excellence in Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Education
October 17, 2024
As we mark a decade of dedication, innovation, and growth, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) is proud to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in advancing the field of integrated behavioral healthcare through high-quality distance education and training. Established October 20, 2014, CGI has become a leader in preparing entrepreneurial integrated care professionals for the challenges and opportunities within healthcare settings, through the Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) degree program and continuing education offerings.
A Vision for Disrupting Healthcare
From the very beginning, CGI’s founders, father-daughter psychologists Dr. Nicholas A. Cummings and Dr. Janet Cummings, envisioned a new model of healthcare education—one that fully integrates physical and mental health services, grounded in the Biodyne Model, to provide whole-person care for patients. The flagship Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program was created to fill a critical gap in the healthcare workforce by equipping practitioners with the skills and knowledge to bridge the divide between behavioral and physical health. As the healthcare landscape evolves, CGI’s educational approach has remained ahead of the curve, responding to the growing demand for an integrated workforce trained in delivering human-centered and equitable care, population health improvements, and medical cost savings without sacrificing the well-being of healthcare professionals. Over the past decade, the DBH program has transformed the lives of students and graduates, many of whom are now entrepreneurs and leaders in healthcare systems across the country.
Milestones and Achievements
Since its inception, CGI has grown from a bold idea to a thriving institution and community. Here are a few milestones that demonstrate the impact made over the past decade:
- DBH Program Growth: The DBH program has expanded significantly since 2014, attracting a diverse and talented student body committed to improving patient outcomes. With a curriculum designed to meet real-world healthcare needs, the program now serves 116 enrolled students and has graduated 48 of professionals who are making a difference in healthcare settings. To learn more about the DBH program, visit: https://cgi.edu/dbh/.
- Specialty Certificates: CGI launched graduate level certificate programs in January 2021, designed to complement the DBH curriculum, providing students with valuable skills and specialized focus. The Integrated Behavioral Healthcare (IBH) and Trauma Informed Care (TIC) certificate programs are offered as stackable credentials exclusively to students currently enrolled in the DBH degree program. To date, 138 certificates have been earned by CGI students. To learn about the IBH and TIC certificate programa, visit: https://cgi.edu/ibh/ and https://cgi.edu/tic/.
- Innovative Curriculum: CGI continually refines and tailors its curriculum so DBH graduates are fully prepared to work in interdisciplinary teams, implement evidence-based interventions, and adapt to shifts in the nation’s patient population and evolving practice environments. Course feedback is regularly gathered from students, faculty, and Advisory Council members to drive ongoing improvements. Updates to the DBH curriculum include the introduction of courses such as DBH 1001 Success in Doctoral Studies, DBH 9031 Healthcare Marketing for the DBH, and DBH 9016 Independent & Speciality Study: Suicidology. Further improvements for 2025 are in progress, including the development of a healthcare policy course and the expansion of the women’s health course. To view the DBH program’s current curriculum, visit: https://cgi.edu/resources/overview/dbh-curriculum/.
- Industry Impact: Graduates from CGI have gone on to make significant contributions in healthcare settings, entrepreneurial ventures, and academic research. Many have become healthcare innovators, helping to reshape care delivery in diverse communities. To learn more about CG’s alumni, visit: https://cgi.edu/dbh_alumni/.
- Partnerships and Collaborations: CGI has forged partnerships with healthcare systems, non-profit organizations, and clinical practices to further advance awareness in integrated behavioral healthcare and the education of healthcare professionals. These collaborations have allowed partners to take advantage of tuition benefits, cross promotional opportunities, and customized education programs. To learn more about partnerships, visit: https://cgi.edu/partnerships/.
The Future of Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Education
As CGI looks ahead to the next decade, the institution remains committed to its mission, vision, and values. Plans for the future include expanding its reach through online learning platforms, increasing research and publishing opportunities for students, and continuing to refine the DBH to meet emerging healthcare needs.
“Our mission has always been to train leaders who can bridge the gap between mental and physical health, and we see the evidence of our collective success in every one of our amazing alumni. Our community is a fiercely tenacious group of disruptors, who are leading the wave of health equity improvements across the globe,” says Dr. Cara English, CEO and CAO. “As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to improving the way people experience healthcare.”
Spotlight: Revisiting Refocused Psychotherapy
In the 10 years since the publication of Refocused Psychotherapy as the First Line Intervention in Behavioral Health, Dr. Nicholas A. Cummings and Dr. Janet Cummings have not only founded the DBH degree program and CGI, but they have also taught hundreds of students their renowned Biodyne Model of Assessment and Treatment. Building upon the foundation set by Dr. Nicholas A. Cummings and Dr. Janet Cummings, CGI is thrilled to share that Integrated Behavioral Health: Applying the Biodyne Mindset in Healthcare will be published in 2026. This newest book advances and modernizes the seminal publication to include case conceptualizations that are post-pandemic-informed, reflective of health disparities, and inclusive of emerging trends in vulnerability and patient populations. The updated version of text is also reflective of patients and providers who are navigating the failings of healthcare systems across the globe.
Read the Integrated Behavioral Health: Applying the Biodyne Mindset in Healthcare press release.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
As CGI celebrates a decade of excellence in integrated behavioral health education, the institution is energized by the successes of its past and excited about the possibilities of the future. With a growing community of students, alumni, partners, and stakeholders CGI remains dedicated to its vision of transforming healthcare by preparing the next generation of disruptors in integrated behavioral health.
Explore Founders Day resources and special content.
About Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI)
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies is a nonprofit, DEAC-accredited, online post-graduate institution of higher learning offering post-graduate education and training in the field of integrated behavioral healthcare. CGI is focused on meeting the healthcare industry’s need for a highly-skilled workforce to support an integrated approach to addressing patients’ needs. To learn more about CGI, visit, https://cgi.edu/.
Contact Information:
Press contact: Melissa McGurgan, Sr. Director of Marketing at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies
Email: melissa@cgi.edu
Website: https://cgi.edu/
