Integrated Care for Co-Occurring Serious Mental Illness & Substance Use Disorders: A Practical Playbook

Session Description: Individuals with co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders often present with complex medical and behavioral health needs that require a holistic “whole person” approach to assessment and treatment. Too often, assessment and treatment focus on one condition or one system rather than the full clinical picture—contributing to missed diagnoses, fragmented care plans, and symptom-based treatment that does not address underlying co-occurring conditions.

This practical workshop focuses on whole-person assessment using a multidisciplinary team approach and the benefits of integrated care. Participants will be introduced to adaptable tools and strategies that support integrated practice, including a structured whole-person assessment framework, use of SAMHSA’S 12 Step Assessment Process (TIP42) to reduce missed conditions, a review of the Comprehensive Longitudinal Assessment, as well as a review of a Contextual Analysis Assessment. A review and role play of a multidisciplinary team a that demonstrates team roles, sequencing, and follow-up. A brief case example will be used to illustrate common pitfalls (e.g., overlapping symptoms, medication-driven masking, fragmented communication) and how integrated approaches improve clarity and coordination. Participants will leave with practical steps to apply SAMHSA-aligned integrated treatment principles within real-world workflows.