The transition from receiving mental health therapy in a physical office to an online environment increases broader access to psychiatric services, making it a highly convenient approach and effective tool for receiving mental and emotional support.
Telehealth resources offered by Good Health Psychiatric Services are ideal for patients who live remotely, lack mobility, or feel more comfortable revealing intimate details from the familiar surroundings of home.
What are online psychiatric services?
Virtual psychiatric services is a process that uses a telecommunications device to consult with a mental health practitioner for routine and ongoing sessions, or for times when you are navigating difficulties that impact your emotional state and overall sense of well-being.
Online therapy can also refer to mental health care services delivered via apps, which can vary significantly. They can offer a range of features such as real-time and asynchronous chat options, and resources to track mood and symptoms and examine thought and behavioral patterns.
Why are they becoming increasingly popular?
The use of psychiatric services online has grown exponentially with smart device proliferation and the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted a shift for many healthcare services to move to or at least offer an online platform. There are many advantages to using online counseling, however, there are points to note for a safe and enriching experience when choosing virtual psychiatric services.
How do online psychiatric services work?
Instead of meeting your psychologist or counselor in person at their office, you connect with them on your computer, tablet, or smartphone for therapy, diagnosis, and prescriptions. Therapy can be provided via video, text, and phone sessions by mental health professionals who also work in traditional in-person care settings.
Pros of online psychiatric services
Accessibility
People who reside in remote areas, places where mental health practitioners are limited, or where services have lengthy waiting lists will benefit immensely from being able to schedule online appointments promptly and consult with a psychiatrist without the hassle and expense of waiting and commuting.
Convenience
Many office-based counselors have limited evening hours, making it difficult for patients to get a therapy session when working nine to five. Online psychiatrist services are more flexible making it easier to schedule and attend mental health therapy sessions at suitable and convenient times.
Affordability
The cost of therapy can be out of reach for many, preventing you from getting treatment. Then it becomes more unaffordable if a mental health condition prevents you from working. Online therapy in most cases is more cost-effective than in-person counseling.
Increased Privacy
Patients are more inclined to seek therapy and open up during sessions when they can do so in a familiar and comfortable setting. With online therapy, you enjoy complete privacy without worrying about bumping into someone you know at the therapist’s office and feel more relaxed than you would in an impersonal office environment.
Health and Safety
Nowadays, safety and health are more important than ever, and online counseling is an ideal solution. Virtual psychiatric services eliminate the need for face-to-face interaction, allowing everyone to contribute to the safety of others while maintaining their own health.
Cons of online psychiatric services
Technology Dependence
If there is a technological failure, such as a power outage, a device or a connection failure, it can abruptly end or disrupt the appointment. Unexperienced patients and therapists may lack technology skills that distract from the session or negatively impact the whole online experience.
Online Safety
With online psychiatric services, there’s a security risk for your or your therapist’s device or Wi-Fi access points being compromised through a data breach that could reveal overly sensitive and private information. There’s also the danger of identity theft where unscrupulous counselors operate online to defraud people.
The scope of online psychiatric services
Virtual psychiatric services can help with effectively treating disorders related to addiction, compulsiveness, anxiety, depression, eating, and interpersonal relationship conflicts. While online therapy is useful for a variety of conditions and complex situations, severe mental conditions such as schizophrenia and psychosis may require a combination of in-person and online consultations for more effective treatment.
How to find quality psychiatric services online?
When selecting psychiatric services online, it is crucial to take the necessary security measures and thoroughly research and vet any new online service provider.
- Determine how the virtual appointment takes place whether it is through instant chat, real-time video, or phone calls and that you are comfortable with the chosen communication method.
- Compare rates and services offered by multiple online psychiatrists.
- Look for the medical practitioner’s state license. Therapists will list their license, designation, training, and areas of specialization on their websites, which you can verify through licensing boards.
- Ask for recommendations from medical insurers, doctors, community service providers, and people within your personal network.
- Take the time to read online reviews from past and current patients, and read any relevant information available in the public internet domain.
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The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you to interpret any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.