Online Psychiatrists Are Changing Mental Health Care

Online psychiatry expands access to mental health support because of telepsychiatry’s convenience. Virtual psychiatric care is transforming how individuals receive treatment for conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, and more.

At bonmente, accessible mental health care is necessary for treating as many patients as possible, so online psychiatry is a critical evolution in healthcare delivery.

What Is Online Psychiatry?

Online psychiatry, or telepsychiatry, delivers psychiatric care through digital platforms. As an alternative to seeing a psychiatrist in person, patients connect with a licensed provider via secure video-conference tools, phone calls, or even asynchronous messaging.

U.S. telepsychiatrists must be licensed to serve patients in particular states. However, that license extends across the entire state, expanding the reach of the psychiatrist. 

So, bonmente’s telepsychiatrists licensed in California are able to serve patients from anywhere in the state. Though we are physically a Long Beach, CA, psychiatric practice, we can treat patients well beyond that city. Our team also has professionals licensed in Florida and Arizona. 

What Can Online Psychiatrists Do? 

• Telepsych services include many of those in traditional practices, including:
• Collaboration with therapists and primary-care providers
• Psychiatric evaluations and diagnoses of mental health conditions 
• Medication prescription
• Medication management
• Support for conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more
• Follow-up care and treatment adjustments

The Growing Need for Accessible Mental Health Care

Mental health challenges affect one in five adults in the United States each year. 

Despite the prevalence, many individuals face significant barriers when seeking help:

• Stigma around mental illness
• Geographic limitations, particularly in rural areas
• Busy schedules and limited time for appointments
• Provider shortages, especially for specialized care
• Transportation issues or physical limitations

So long as the patient has access to an internet connection, online psychiatry makes mental health services more convenient and accessible.

Benefits of Seeing an Online Psychiatrist

• Greater Accessibility: Telepsychiatry is especially useful for individuals living in areas where finding a mental health provider nearby might be nearly impossible. With online options, patients can connect with top-tier psychiatrists without traveling hours for an appointment.
• Convenience and Flexibility: Busy work schedules, childcare responsibilities, or health concerns can make it difficult to attend in-person appointments. Online psychiatry offers flexible scheduling and eliminates commute times, and so is easier to fit into daily life.
• Continuity of Care: Moving to a new city, losing access to transportation, or facing unexpected schedule changes are not as big of an issue with online care. Continuity of treatment enables sessions to happen from virtually anywhere the provider is licensed to treat. 
• Privacy and Reduced Stigma: Some patients feel more comfortable discussing sensitive mental health issues in a virtual context. Receiving care from home or another personal space can reduce feelings of exposure and make it easier to open up.
• Efficient Follow-Up and Medication Management: For patients on medication, online psychiatry is efficient for ongoing care, monitoring side effects, and titration in treatment plans without long delays between appointments. The e-prescribing component of bonmente’s telepsych platform makes it highly convenient, as we can remotely fill your prescription so that you can pick up your medication from your preferred pharmacy. 

Common Conditions Treated by Online Psychiatrists

Online psychiatrists diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

• Depression
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• ADHD
• Insomnia
• Substance-Use Disorders 

Depending on the treatment plan we create for the patient, online care may involve talk therapy, behavioral recommendations, medication management, or a combination of approaches.

Are Online Psychiatrists Different from In-Person Psychiatrists?

Licensed professionals must meet the same educational, licensing, and board certifications as in-person providers. 

At bonmente, our team of fully licensed board-certified psychiatrists are trained to provide high-quality ethical care in a virtual context.

Before booking with any online psychiatrist, be sure to verify:

• Platform security and HIPAA compliance
• Licensure in your state
• Specializations that align with your needs
• Whether they can prescribe medications

What Happens in an Online Psychiatry Appointment?

If you get telepsychiatric treatment from bonmente, here is what to expect when you just start out: 

• Initial Assessment: The first session involves a thorough psychiatric evaluation. The psychiatrist asks questions about symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, mental health goals, and other relevant topics.
• Diagnosis and Treatment Plan: Based on the evaluation, the psychiatrist may provide a diagnosis and outline a personalized treatment plan. The plan could include medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or referrals to other specialists.
• Ongoing Care: Follow-up appointments are typically shorter and focus on how you are responding to treatment, any side effects, and whether changes are needed. If sessions with a therapist or psychiatrist are part of your treatment plan, then that may be necessary. Online platforms make it easier to schedule and maintain these ongoing check-ins.

Is Online Psychiatry Covered by Insurance?

Coverage depends on your provider and state. When you partner with bonmente, our team can verify whether your coverage extends to our telepsych services. 

Many online psychiatry services are now covered by insurance plans, thanks in part to the popularization of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Your mental health matters. Schedule an appointment with bonmente today!