Embedded Clinical Coaching 

 

"I really appreciated the experience and I learned so much about how I can apply interventions with my clients." -ECC pilot participant

 

Embedded Clinical Coaching (ECC) is an innovative approach to clinical training that empowers behavioral health provider agencies to flexibly train their own workforce in evidence-based practices.

Overview 

The ECC model is an evidence-informed training strategy designed in 2021 through a collaborative process including provider agencies, training organizations, and WA HCA officials, all with a common goal in mind: reducing the cost and capacity constraints provider agencies experience when training their staff in EBPs without sacrificing the quality of clinical training.  

ECC uses asynchronous online training, skills demonstrations, and peer-led consultation groups to "embed" experience in evidence-based practices within provider agencies. 

Challenge

Washington’s public behavioral health sector faces high turnover, low pay, and large caseloads—making timely, high-quality EBP training essential. Conventional models typically involve multi-day, expert-led sessions offered infrequently, sometimes paired with consultation over the following weeks or months. Conventional approaches:

  • Delay access for new clinicians,

  • Disrupt service delivery, and

  • Drain resources from already stretched agencies.

The ethical imperative in today’s mental health crisis is to prioritize scalable services. Streamlined, embedded models like ECC allow agencies to train clinicians—and, by extension, serve more clients—without sacrificing effectiveness. The research literature is increasingly clear that governments can and should support innovative training and consultation approaches that maximize reach.

Our Approach  

ECC allows training entities to reach more clinicians without the costs of live sessions. These savings can then be passed down to provider agencies, resulting in cost savings for both parties. Moving training to an online, asynchronous format will also allow clinicians to learn EBPs at times that do not interfere with their caseload, meaning that agencies will no longer have to schedule around their absence for multiple days while they are at training.  

Ultimately, the ECC model will make it possible for training organizations and provider agencies to increase access to high-quality EBP training which in turn will increase access to EBPs for youth and families across Washington state. 

Background & Development  

 

2021 - ECC model co-designed
2022 - Partnership with CBT+
2024 - Pilot launched with 7 WA agencies
2025 - Evaluation and expansion

In 2022, CoLab partnered with The University of Washington Harborview CBT+ Learning Collaborative (CBT+) to transition their live training to an ECC format. CBT+ directed the process of adapting their live training to an online learning platform and co-developed a consultation guide intended to support lead peer consultants. Early results from this pilot suggest strong acceptability, with more evaluation ahead focused on assessing the quality of the ECC model compared to standard CBT+.

Additionally, as these provider agencies pilot this program with their staff, they are participating in design sessions with CBT+ and CoLab to identify ways to improve the long-term sustainability of this program. We plan to wrap up this pilot and make improvements to this program in 2025, with the goal of expanding access to CBT+ through ECC to more provider agencies over the next few years.

Made possible thanks to support from the Washington State Health Care Authority

Get Involved  

CoLab is hoping to form partnerships that lead to the development of more trainings that utilize the ECC model, and ultimately, scale EBP training in Washington. 

If you are interested in discussing ECC with a member of our team, please email uwcolab@uw.edu or fill out the Contact Us form.

 

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