Brittany Hines, Director of Product for Benji Health, has been named a 2024 Future Leader by Behavioral Health Business (BHB). This prestigious recognition is awarded to exceptional individuals who have demonstrated leadership qualities, a deep commitment to behavioral health care, and a passion for driving positive change in the industry. Future Leaders are nominated by their peers and must be high-performing professionals under 40 who are actively advancing care and supporting those in need. Hines’s dedication to improving behavioral health services, particularly through technology, has solidified her place among the next generation of influential leaders in behavioral health.
In a recent conversation with Behavioral Health Business, Hines reflected on her personal connection to behavioral health, the lessons she has learned along the way, and her vision for the future of the industry. As one of the Leaders in Behavioral Health, the interview highlights the passion, determination, and compassion that have defined her career thus far—and the innovative ideas she is bringing to the table to help shape the future of behavioral health care.
A Personal Journey: From Family Struggles to a Lifelong Mission
For Hines, the work she does in behavioral health is not merely a career—it’s a personal calling. She grew up in a family where addiction profoundly impacted the lives of those closest to her. Both of her parents struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, and as the oldest of four children, Hines saw firsthand how addiction can tear families apart.
“Growing up in a family deeply impacted by addiction, I saw how this disease affected every aspect of our lives,” Hines shares. “I witnessed the toll it took on my parents and on my siblings. As a child, you feel helpless because you don’t have the tools or understanding to fix the situation. It wasn’t until much later that I started to recognize how deep and far-reaching the effects of addiction truly were.”
Despite these challenges, Hines was determined to make sense of her experiences and find a path to healing, not only for herself but for others who had experienced similar struggles. “I participated in a family program when I was 8 years old and again at 16,” she recalls. “Later, in my early 20s, I worked the programs of Al-Anon and Adult Children of Alcoholics, which helped me understand the complexities of addiction and its ripple effects not only on the individual but on families as a whole.”
Through her experiences, Hines not only began her own healing journey but also became inspired to help others who were affected by addiction and mental health issues. “I’ve experienced profound loss—losing my brother and father to addiction and my uncle to depression,” she says. “These losses deepened my understanding of the impact addiction and mental health have on families, and they reinforced my commitment to making a difference in this field.”
This personal connection to behavioral health care is what drives Hines in her work. “This industry is more than a job for me; it’s a personal mission,” Hines explains. “I’m passionate about being part of the solution and helping another family avoid the devastating loss that addiction and mental health issues can bring. If I can contribute, even in a small way, to saving a life or supporting a family through a difficult time, then I know I’m doing the work I’m meant to do.”
Lessons Learned: Compassion and Patience Are Key
Hines has learned many important lessons throughout her career, and the most profound is the importance of compassion and patience. In the world of behavioral health, progress is often slow, and recovery is not a linear journey. Every individual’s path to healing is unique, and setbacks are common.
“When I first started in this industry, I didn’t fully understand just how complex addiction and mental health issues are,” Hines says. “Recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone, and sometimes it’s not a straight line. You have to be patient and compassionate, both with the patients you’re working with and with yourself. It’s easy to get discouraged when progress feels slow, but every small step forward is part of a much larger, meaningful journey.”
This understanding of the non-linear nature of recovery has profoundly influenced Hines’s approach to her work at Hansei Solutions, where she helps build the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) platform, Benji. Benji is designed to streamline workflows for healthcare providers, making their jobs more efficient so they can focus on delivering the care that truly matters: treating their patients.
“At Hansei, my work focuses on building the Benji platform, which supports healthcare providers by helping them meet regulatory standards and secure the documentation needed for long-term care approval,” Hines explains. “When it comes to addiction treatment, especially for those facing deep-seated challenges, we need to ensure patients receive the ongoing care they need. This is where EMR technology can make a real difference in supporting long-term recovery.”
Shifting the Focus to Long-Term Care
One of Hines’s primary goals for the future of behavioral health care is a significant shift in how insurance companies approach and cover long-term treatment. At present, many insurance companies focus on short-term solutions for addiction and mental health issues, but meaningful recovery—particularly for individuals dealing with more profound or chronic conditions—requires continuous, comprehensive care.
“If I could change one thing for the future of behavioral health care, it would be how insurance companies approach long-term care,” Hines says. “The current system tends to prioritize short-term solutions. However, addiction and mental health recovery are long-term processes. We need to ensure that patients have access to the extended care that is crucial for lasting recovery. That’s where I see the real need for change.”
Through her work with Benji Health, Hines is helping to address this challenge. The Benji platform is designed to assist healthcare providers in securing the necessary documentation to support long-term care approvals. By simplifying the process for providers, Benji helps to ensure that patients receive the ongoing treatment and support they need to heal.
“We’re working to create a more efficient system where providers can justify the need for extended care without the burdensome paperwork,” Hines explains. “It’s crucial that we advocate for the resources and support necessary for patients to receive the care they deserve, even after the initial treatment phase is complete.”
A Vision for 2025: Personalized, Accessible, and Compassionate Care
Looking ahead to 2025, Hines envisions a significant transformation in the behavioral health industry. As the understanding of addiction and mental health deepens, Hines predicts a shift toward more personalized, long-term treatment plans that are tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
“I see a future where behavioral health care is much more individualized,” Hines says. “Recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all process, and patients deserve treatment that takes into account their unique experiences and needs. This will require greater attention to the long-term aspects of care, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive treatment that addresses not only their immediate symptoms but the root causes of their challenges.”
Technology will play a central role in this transformation, Hines believes. Advancements in EMR systems and other tools will empower healthcare providers to deliver better care, track progress, and ensure that long-term treatment plans are appropriately documented.
“I think we’ll see more widespread use of technology that allows providers to monitor and adjust care plans in real-time,” Hines predicts. “This will help ensure that patients receive the most effective care possible and that their treatment evolves as their needs change.”
In addition to personalization, Hines sees accessibility and quality of care as key pillars of the future of behavioral health. “Patients will no longer accept fragmented, one-size-fits-all approaches to care,” she says. “They will expect comprehensive, high-quality treatment that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation.”
Innovation and Empathy: The Future of Leadership
As Hines looks to the future, she believes that behavioral health care will be shaped by leaders in behavioral health who possess both innovation and empathy. Leaders who can think outside the box and implement creative solutions while staying grounded in the needs of the people they serve will be the ones who drive meaningful change.
“The future leaders in behavioral health will need to be innovative,” Hines says. “Whether it’s developing new treatment models, utilizing technology more effectively, or finding new ways to collaborate across the industry, innovation will be the driving force behind change. But that innovation must be paired with empathy. To truly make a difference, leaders must care deeply about the people they’re helping. They need to understand the challenges faced by patients, families, and professionals, and be committed to creating solutions that make a real impact.”
For Hines, combining innovation with empathy will define the future of behavioral health care. By embracing new technologies, fostering personalized care, and remaining dedicated to supporting those affected by addiction and mental health challenges, she believes that the next generation of leaders in behavioral health will be able to transform the field for the better.
Advice for Future Leaders
Looking back on her own journey, Hines offers some valuable advice to those just beginning their careers in behavioral health: “If I could give advice to myself on my first day in the industry, it would be to embrace the complexity and stay patient. The challenges in behavioral health are overwhelming at times, but meaningful change takes time. It’s important to stay committed, even when it feels like progress is slow.”
Hines’s advice reflects her belief in the power of persistence and patience. Behavioral health care is not an industry that delivers quick fixes, but it’s one that demands dedication, compassion, and a willingness to work toward long-term solutions.
As Hines continues her work at Benji Health and within the broader behavioral health community, she remains committed to making a difference—one step at a time. With her leadership, vision, and passion, Brittany Hines is poised to continue transforming the industry, helping individuals and families on their journeys to recovery.
The future of behavioral health care is transformative—and leaders in behavioral health like Brittany Hines are at the forefront of that transformation.
