Aviva Psychology Services
Behavioral Medicine
Specialized, evidence-based treatment for chronic conditions that impact physical and mental health.
When the connection between how you live and how you feel becomes impossible to ignore
You may have seen a doctor for your sleep, your pain, or your physical symptoms. You may have tried therapy for your anxiety or your mood. And yet your symptoms persist. The connection between how you feel physically and how you feel emotionally is hard to ignore, but often this relationship is unaddressed.
Behavioral medicine addresses this connection directly.
What is behavioral medicine?
Behavioral medicine is an interdisciplinary field that applies clinical psychology to physical health, drawing on decades of research showing that conditions like chronic pain, insomnia, and adjustment to medical illness respond best when their psychological and physiological dimensions are treated together.
At Aviva, our work in this area is built on a simple premise: thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical health do not operate independently, and treatment is most effective when they are treated as an interconnected system.
What falls under behavioral medicine
Behavioral medicine at Aviva covers:
- Chronic insomnia and sleep disturbance
- Chronic pain and its psychological impact
- Trauma and PTSD
- Nightmares related to trauma or stress
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Anxiety-based avoidance
- Health anxiety and medically related distress
- Difficulty adjusting to a diagnosis or ongoing medical treatment
What makes treatment at Aviva different
At Aviva, behavioral medicine is delivered by doctoral-level licensed psychologists with specialized training in the specific protocols we offer. CBT-I, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Written Exposure Therapy (WET) are not general clinical skills. They are distinct, evidence-based treatments, each with its own formal training pathway, supervised case requirements, and ongoing consultation standards. The clinicians on our behavioral medicine team hold these trainings.
We also take an integrated approach. Behavioral medicine at Aviva does not exist in isolation. When relevant, your psychologist will draw on additional evidence-based frameworks to ensure your care reflects the full picture of who you are and what you are dealing with.
And because we treat the whole person, our approach is always identity-affirming and inclusive. Whatever your background, your identity, or the complexity of your situation, you will find care here that respects and reflects you.
Conditions we address through behavioral medicine
If you are struggling with insomnia, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold standard evidence-based treatment for resetting your relationship with sleep. It is structured, time-limited, and highly effective.
If you are living with chronic pain, Pain Management Interventions help you understand the relationship between pain, thoughts, and behavior to improve daily functioning and quality of life.
If you have experienced trauma, manualized treatments including Written Exposure Therapy (WET) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) offer structured, research-backed pathways to processing what happened and reducing its ongoing impact.
If you are dealing with OCD or anxiety-based avoidance, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is one of the most effective evidence-based treatments available, helping you reduce avoidance and regain freedom in daily life.
If you are unsure where to start, a biopsychosocial assessment provides a comprehensive picture of the physical, psychological, and social factors contributing to your concerns and helps you and your psychologist determine the right path forward.
How our sessions work
Sessions at Aviva are structured and goal-oriented. Your psychologist will typically begin by reviewing observations or practice from the previous week, then focus on current concerns and progress toward your treatment goals.
Depending on your presenting concern, sessions may follow a structured manualized protocol. This means the treatment has a defined, research-tested sequence designed to produce reliable outcomes. Your psychologist will guide you through each stage while adapting the approach to your individual needs.
Sessions involve active dialogue, skill building, and collaborative problem-solving. You will have a clear understanding of what you are working on and why. Progress is tracked and the plan is adjusted as your needs evolve.
Skill practice between sessions is a core part of the work. Your psychologist will support you in applying tools in real-world situations because lasting change happens in daily life.
Starting with the right assessment
We always begin with a thorough assessment. Before any treatment protocol is introduced, your psychologist will take time to understand the full picture of your concerns, including the physical, psychological, and social factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
This ensures that the treatment you receive is matched to what is actually driving your symptoms, not just the surface presentation.
Goals of behavioral medicine
Targeted symptom relief
Improve biopsychosocial health by addressing the thoughts, behaviors, and patterns that are maintaining symptoms.
Whole-person care
Reduce disruptive symptoms and build practical skills that enhance your quality of life, pain management, and daily routines.
Lasting change
Build skills that are grounded in how your body, mind, and behavior actually interact so the progress you make in treatment carries forward into real life.
Behavioral Medicine at Aviva includes approaches that are among the most rigorously studied in clinical psychology. CBT-I, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy, and Exposure and Response Prevention each have a substantial body of clinical research supporting their effectiveness across diverse populations and presentations.
Clients often report meaningful improvements in sleep, pain tolerance, mood, and daily functioning as a result of behavioral health treatment. While outcomes vary by individual, many clients begin noticing shifts in their symptoms and daily functioning within the first month of treatment.
Is behavioral health treatment right for you?
Treatment may be a good fit if you notice that physical symptoms, daily habits, or health-related concerns are significantly affecting your emotional well-being. Many people are also drawn to behavioral medicine because it offers a structured, skills-based approach with clear goals and measurable progress.
That said, every person's situation is different. Your psychologist will discuss fit openly during the assessment process and work with you to determine whether a behavioral medicine focus, or a combination of approaches, best suits your needs.
It is also common to come in unsure of what kind of support you need. The assessment process at Aviva is designed to help clarify that together.
What's next?
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but we keep the process simple and supportive. Here’s what to expect:
Request an Appointment
Once you complete this form, we will reach out. If we have a fitting opening, we will schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to assess fit further together.
Assessment and Planning
During the first 2-4 sessions, we assess your history, symptoms, and goals. Together, you and your psychologist will establish a treatment plan and discuss next steps.
Ongoing Weekly Sessions
Sessions are typically weekly for 55 minutes at a consistent time. You and your psychologist will focus on your treatment needs and goals.
FAQs about behavioral medicine
What is behavioral medicine?
Behavioral medicine refers to the connection between everyday behaviors and overall mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It recognizes that thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and lifestyle choices all interact and that each plays a role in how we feel and function. At Aviva, behavioral medicine addresses this connection directly rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
What are the signs of poor behavioral health?
Common signs include persistent sleep difficulties, chronic pain that is affecting mood and daily life, avoidance behaviors that are limiting your activities, difficulty managing stress or anxiety, and trouble adjusting to a health diagnosis or medical treatment. If physical and emotional concerns feel deeply connected and neither is fully resolving on its own, behavioral health support may help.
Is there a difference between behavioral medicine and mental health treatment?
Yes. Mental health refers specifically to emotional and psychological well-being. Behavioral medicine is broader and encompasses mental health alongside the behaviors and lifestyle factors that influence it, including sleep, physical health, and daily habits. All mental health concerns fall within the behavioral health umbrella, but not all behavioral health concerns are strictly mental health diagnoses.
How do I know if my symptoms would improve with behavioral medicine?
At Aviva, assessment begins with a thorough evaluation of your history, presenting concerns, and goals. For some clients, a Biopsychosocial Assessment is used to build a comprehensive picture of the physical, psychological, and social factors at play. This informs the treatment plan and helps your psychologist determine the most appropriate evidence-based approach for your situation.
Ready to Explore Behavioral Medicine?
If you are considering behavioral medicine treatment in Massachusetts, a consultation can help determine whether Aviva is the right fit for your goals. We will review your concerns, answer questions, and outline next steps if fitting.
