Transforming Mental Healthcare:
A Conversation with Carmen Katsarov
Stories to Solutions
In this interview, Carmen Katsarov, Executive Director of Behavioral Health Integration at CalOptima Health, takes us beyond the statistics and systems of mental healthcare to share the deeply personal journey that shaped her mission to transform behavioral health services.
Carmen's story begins not just with professional expertise, but with lived experience that informs her innovative approach to integration. Throughout our conversation, she bridges the gap between clinical knowledge and human compassion, offering a refreshing perspective on how healthcare systems can better serve people by deeply listening to what they have to say.
"Mental health care isn't just about treatment protocols—it's about creating systems that truly see people," Carmen explains. Her work at CalOptima Health demonstrates how large-scale systems can be redesigned with human dignity at the center, proving that compassionate care and operational efficiency aren't mutually exclusive.
Carmen's story begins not just with professional expertise, but with lived experience that informs her innovative approach to integration. Throughout our conversation, she bridges the gap between clinical knowledge and human compassion, offering a refreshing perspective on how healthcare systems can better serve people by deeply listening to what they have to say.
"Mental health care isn't just about treatment protocols—it's about creating systems that truly see people," Carmen explains. Her work at CalOptima Health demonstrates how large-scale systems can be redesigned with human dignity at the center, proving that compassionate care and operational efficiency aren't mutually exclusive.
In this interview, Carmen Katsarov, Executive Director of Behavioral Health Integration at CalOptima Health, takes us beyond the statistics and systems of mental healthcare to share the deeply personal journey that shaped her mission to transform behavioral health services.
Carmen's story begins not just with professional expertise, but with lived experience that informs her innovative approach to integration. Throughout our conversation, she bridges the gap between clinical knowledge and human compassion, offering a refreshing perspective on how healthcare systems can better serve people by deeply listening to what they have to say.
"Mental health care isn't just about treatment protocols—it's about creating systems that truly see people," Carmen explains. Her work at CalOptima Health demonstrates how large-scale systems can be redesigned with human dignity at the center, proving that compassionate care and operational efficiency aren't mutually exclusive.
Carmen's story begins not just with professional expertise, but with lived experience that informs her innovative approach to integration. Throughout our conversation, she bridges the gap between clinical knowledge and human compassion, offering a refreshing perspective on how healthcare systems can better serve people by deeply listening to what they have to say.
"Mental health care isn't just about treatment protocols—it's about creating systems that truly see people," Carmen explains. Her work at CalOptima Health demonstrates how large-scale systems can be redesigned with human dignity at the center, proving that compassionate care and operational efficiency aren't mutually exclusive.
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Links to Solutions
Personal Experience Drives Systemic Change:
Carmen reveals how her own encounters with the mental healthcare system shaped her commitment to transformation, demonstrating that lived experience can be a powerful catalyst for meaningful innovation when combined with professional expertise.
Integration Requires Both Systems and Hearts:
Successful behavioral health integration isn't just about connecting electronic records or co-locating services—it requires a fundamental shift in how providers understand and respond to the whole person, addressing both clinical needs and human dignity.
Community Partnerships Expand Possibilities:
Carmen highlights how CalOptima's collaborative approach with community organizations has created more accessible pathways to care, showing that solutions often emerge at the intersection of healthcare systems and community wisdom.
Meet Our Guest
Carmen Katsarov
Carmen Katsarov is the Executive Director of Behavioral Health Integration at CalOptima Health. With over 20 years of experience in clinical and leadership roles, she is responsible for managing the integration of behavioral health services within the healthcare delivery system. Her background includes roles at Magellan Health and Blue Shield of California, and she holds a bachelor's degree in social work and a master's degree in psychology. Carmen is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and a Certified Case Manager, focusing on health equity and strategic partnerships to enhance mental health services.
Connect to Steve Pitman and NAMI Orange County
CalOptima Health Website: https://www.caloptima.org/
CalOptima Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caloptima/
CalOptima LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/caloptima/
Personal LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-nicole-katsarov-lpcc-ccm-06510152/
Dr. Emily Carter
Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Mental Health Advocate
How To Get Involved?
Dr. Emily Carter
Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Mental Health Advocate
How To Get Involved?
Dr. Emily Carter
Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Mental Health Advocate
How To Get Involved?
Dr. Emily Carter
Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Mental Health Advocate
How To Get Involved?
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