David Aziz, Vice President of Integrated Behavioral Health and Enterprise Strategy at LifeStance, has been recognized as a 2023 Future Leader by Behavioral Health Business. This prestigious honor is awarded to individuals who not only excel in their roles but also demonstrate a deep passion for the industry and a commitment to advancing behavioral health care. To be selected, candidates are nominated by their peers and must meet the criteria of being high-performing, under 40 years old, and advocates for both behavioral health patients and the professionals dedicated to their well-being. As a rising behavioral health leader, Aziz is paving the way for change in the industry.
Aziz’s journey into the behavioral health sector is deeply personal, shaped by his own life experiences. He joined LifeStance in 2017, just months after the company was founded. The mission was straightforward but ambitious: to increase access to trusted, affordable, and personalized mental health care. However, it was his sister’s battle with cancer that provided Aziz with a firsthand view of the intersection between physical and mental health struggles. Over the course of her three-year battle with cancer, Aziz became acutely aware of the mental health toll that such an illness takes not only on the patient but also on family and loved ones. This experience opened his eyes to the growing need for behavioral health services and made it evident that, while public awareness of mental health issues was increasing, barriers to care were still prevalent. This is where Aziz’s role as a behavioral health leader began to take shape, pushing for real-world solutions to these ongoing challenges.
The Behavioral Health Crisis and the Importance of Engagement
When Aziz first entered the industry, he quickly recognized the scale of the behavioral health crisis facing the country. Despite the increasing availability of resources, the reality was that many individuals continued to suffer in silence. “If it wasn’t clear in 2017, it is now that there’s a behavioral health crisis in the country,” Aziz reflects. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how many people are quietly battling behavioral health issues, often without the support or treatment they need.” As a behavioral health leader, Aziz has worked tirelessly to highlight that providing effective treatment is essential, but simply making treatment available is not enough. Ensuring that patients are properly screened and actively engaged in their care is just as vital to addressing this crisis.
Aziz is fortunate to work at LifeStance, a company with a vast network of 6,100 licensed clinicians spread across 34 states. This geographic reach, coupled with LifeStance’s commitment to integrated care, positions the company to tackle the behavioral health crisis head-on. Aziz underscores the importance of collaborative care—working closely with primary care providers, pediatricians, and women’s health professionals. “It’s not just about increasing access to care,” Aziz explains. “It’s about ensuring that behavioral health services are woven into the fabric of overall healthcare, so that individuals receive comprehensive care that addresses both their mental and physical health needs.” Aziz’s leadership in this area highlights his vision for a more connected and holistic approach to behavioral health care.
The Need for Investment in Behavioral Health
Looking ahead, Aziz is optimistic about the future of behavioral health, but he knows that progress requires bold investments. “If I could change one thing in the industry,” Aziz says, “I would want all health systems and primary care providers to commit to better behavioral health treatment for their patients. This means taking risks, embracing new models of care, and investing in innovative solutions.” As a behavioral health leader, Aziz is committed to exploring innovative approaches that not only improve the quality of care but also reduce costs for patients and providers alike. One such solution is the idea of outsourcing behavioral health services to reduce the financial burden on clinics that are often under-resourced.
This model, which embeds therapists into primary care settings, allows these professionals to practice at the top of their licensure and work alongside a behavioral health coordinator. By doing so, clinics can significantly reduce the upfront costs of offering behavioral health services while also providing better, more integrated care to their patients. This approach not only addresses the shortage of mental health professionals but also increases the number of “warm handoffs”—referrals from one provider to another that ensure continuity of care. Aziz is particularly excited by the potential of this model, as it aligns with his vision of making behavioral health an integral part of the larger healthcare ecosystem.
Shifting Perspectives on Behavioral Health: From Cost to Opportunity
Another key area where Aziz sees significant potential for change is in the perception of behavioral health within the broader healthcare system. Historically, behavioral health has often been viewed as a “cost center”—a necessary but expensive service. Aziz believes that this mindset is starting to shift. “Every year that goes by, the evidence that supports the value of behavioral health continues to grow,” he says. “More and more, we’re seeing that appropriate behavioral health treatment improves patient outcomes and actually lowers the total cost of care over time.” Aziz’s work as a behavioral health leader has helped to bring attention to this shift in perspective, emphasizing that investing in mental health treatment isn’t just an ethical responsibility but also a smart financial decision for healthcare providers.
Aziz is hopeful that, in the coming years, more healthcare systems will embrace the idea that investing in behavioral health services is not only an ethical responsibility but a smart financial decision. By addressing mental health issues early on, providers can reduce the need for more expensive emergency interventions down the line. And as the data continues to back up this reality, more clinics and health systems will be incentivized to invest in behavioral health as an essential part of patient care. Aziz’s role as a behavioral health leader positions him to drive these changes on a large scale, helping to bring about systemic transformation in the way mental health is integrated into overall health care.
A Transforming Industry: The Road Ahead
Aziz has witnessed firsthand the rapid transformation of the behavioral health industry over the last several years. From the rise of telehealth and digital mental health tools to new models of integrated care, the industry has undergone significant changes, and Aziz is excited about what the future holds. “If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say the future of behavioral health is ‘transforming,’” Aziz says. “We’ve already seen incredible change, and I think we’re just getting started.” As a behavioral health leader, Aziz has been at the forefront of this transformation, advocating for the changes that will help create a more effective, integrated, and patient-centered approach to mental health care.
The progress made so far is only the beginning. The systems and approaches that have been implemented over the past few years are setting the stage for even greater advances in the future. As more providers, payers, and policymakers recognize the importance of behavioral health, the industry will continue to evolve, becoming more integrated and accessible to those who need it most. Aziz’s leadership will continue to play a critical role in shaping the future of the behavioral health field as it transforms into a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable system.
Advice for the Future: Embracing Growth and Responsibility
Looking back on his own journey, Aziz reflects on how much his perspective has shifted since his early days in the industry. “If I could give myself advice looking back to my first day in the industry,” he says, “I would remind myself that with growth comes a lot of responsibility.” Starting LifeStance with just 200 clinicians, the company now boasts more than 6,000 clinicians across the country. Aziz never fully realized the scale of the impact the company would have, but today, as he looks at the work being done—whether it’s implementing measurement-based care or building partnerships with payers—he is confident that LifeStance is making a meaningful difference in the lives of its patients.
Aziz’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of leadership in shaping the future of behavioral health. As the industry continues to evolve, the work being done by visionary leaders like Aziz will be essential in ensuring that mental health care becomes more accessible, integrated, and effective for people across the country. With a growing emphasis on patient-centered care, collaborative approaches, and evidence-based practices, the future of behavioral health is brighter than ever.
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