When to Consider Telemedicine for Your Mental Health Needs

Telemedicine represents a remarkable improvement in the way you receive mental health care. No matter what mental health concern you face, you can get the help you need from home or wherever you happen to be.

Kevin Joseph, DNP, PMHNP-BC, at Insight Psychiatric Services has provided compassionate telemedicine care to many people facing roadblocks to in-office appointments. By offering medication management and therapy through virtual visits, he helps each person improve their mental health and achieve their goals in life.

Telemedicine basics

Telemedicine allows you to get mental health care without traveling to our office. Instead, you connect using videoconferencing (on your smartphone, tablet, or computer) or over the telephone if you don’t have access to the internet.

One of the top benefits of telemedicine is that it’s convenient and easy to access. But do you wonder if virtual care improves your mental health as well as face-to-face visits? Here’s the answer.

The American Psychiatric Association supports telemedicine, reporting that video- and audio-based telepsychiatry is equivalent to in-person care. You can depend on an accurate diagnosis, high-quality care, and effective treatment.

The evidence shows that:

• Patients are just as satisfied with telemedicine compared to in-person treatment
• Patients are less likely to cancel telemedicine appointments
• Telemedicine may improve depression better than in-person appointments
• Virtual visits are equally effective as in-person appointments for mental health disorders

Let’s explore when you should consider telemedicine.

Six reasons to consider telemedicine

You should consider telemedicine any time you need mental health care. But here are six specific reasons to schedule a virtual appointment:

You’re overwhelmed, stressed, or have emotional or behavioral challenges

Telemedicine makes it easy and convenient to talk with a mental health professional, whether you need support navigating a life challenge or struggle with serious emotional or behavioral problems.

We treat all mental health conditions through telemedicine, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to name a few.

You need a psychiatric evaluation

During your first telemedicine appointment, we learn about your symptoms and complete a psychiatric evaluation. After discussing your diagnosis, we create a customized treatment plan.

You want to obtain treatment with therapy and/or medication

We prescribe psychiatric medications through telemedicine if appropriate for your diagnosis and symptom severity. 

We also provide time-limited therapy through virtual visits. This type of therapy is intensive, typically limited to a certain number of sessions, and customized to give you the information and coping skills you need to overcome your challenges.

You struggle to leave home

Many of our patients struggle to leave home for mental health reasons. For example, depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, and many other mental health disorders can make it incredibly challenging or impossible to go places.

Telemedicine makes it easier for patients to participate in their treatment. Getting mental health care at home is often the best choice for children and teens with anxiety, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. 

You face challenges getting to the office

You may not be able to make it to the office because you lack transportation or can’t get a babysitter.

Maybe you can’t take time off from work but need to talk with a therapist, and you can find a private place at work to connect online. Some people use telemedicine when they’re out of town, whether on vacation or traveling for their job.

Telemedicine gives you the freedom to get the mental health care you need without disrupting your schedule or travel plans.

You don’t live near a psychiatrist or you’re too far from our office

Telemedicine offers an excellent solution if you’re too far from our office in Sunrise, Florida. Considering half of all counties in the United States don’t have a psychiatrist, you may not have access to the mental health care you need unless you choose telemedicine.

Call us at Insight Psychiatric Services today or connect online to learn how to access our exceptional telemedicine services.