Reflections on the Signs and Science of Belonging in Integrated Care

For this inaugural reflection, I began by thinking about what the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA) has been for me, and I suspect for many of you. As a naïve early career professional, I joined CFHA with wide-eyed optimism about the future of the integrated care movement and the giddy excitement only a true nerd can appreciate when you get to befriend the individuals who have made your career possible. This community is the space where peers and leaders sharpened my knowledge and where I became a passionate advocate for integrated care. Activities within CFHA have inspired several initiatives in my institution and community. Yet, when I think of CFHA, it is not the technical access or the ocean of knowledge that comes to mind. Instead, what lights up for me is the feeling that this is a community to which I belong. This is illuminated by the warmth of handshakes and hugs, contagious laughter, shared meals, and moments of joys and sorrows. This sense of belonging I received from CFHA has instilled confidence and agency in other areas of my professional development. © 2023 American Psychological Association