Benefits of Tele-Psychiatry

The need for physical distancing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated many of the benefits provided by telemedicine, and telepsychiatry in particular. According to the APA, some of the benefits of telepsychiatry include:

• Improve access to mental health specialty care that might not otherwise be available (e.g., in rural areas)
• Bring care to the patient’s location
• Help integrate behavioral health care and primary care, leading to better outcomes
• Reduce the need for trips to the emergency room
• Reduce delays in care
• Improve continuity of care and follow-up
• Reduce the need for time off work, childcare services, etc. to access appointments far away
• Reduce potential transportation barriers, such as lack of transportation or the need for long drives
• Reduce the barrier of stigma

With telepsychiatry, we can do almost everything we could in a face-to-face appointment - psychotherapy, medication management and refills, billing, and consultation - all without having to leave your home or office. Of note, I do not prescribe controlled substances (including, but not limited to, benzodiazepines and stimulants) via telepsychiatry. 

Click on my telepsychiatry link to check my availability for appointments.