Is Telepsychiatry as Effective as In-Person Appointments?

Going to therapy is something that millions of people benefit from, but it still carries stigmas and misconceptions that affect how people see the process. People seem to see therapy as either unnecessary, just an excuse to vent, something you have to do forever, or only consider it as a last resort. The fact is mental health illness is something that affects the lives of millions, and therapy is an essential path to working through the problems and feeling better about yourself and your life. 

When it comes to therapy, the frequently used solution is a series of visits to work your way through the process, but since telehealth appointments have become more and more commonplace, telepsychiatry is now a viable option to offer therapy. But is it as effective a method as office visits?

If you’re living in Seattle, Washington, and you’re considering therapy or other ways to cope with mental health issues, Edward Macias,PMHNP-BC, and his experienced staff at Blue Mountain Psychiatry are here to help.

Understanding a telepsychiatry appointment

This form of telemedicine works by using video conferencing technology to offer a range of services, such as psychiatric evaluations, diagnoses, individual, group, and family therapy, and managing medications. With this option, you get mental health care through video or audio interactive communication, and it can even include consultations with multiple physicians if necessary. You have access to psychiatric treatment if you have a phone, iPad, laptop, or desktop and a strong internet connection.

Benefits of telepsychiatry and in-person therapy

Let’s look at the benefits of both forms of therapy:

Telepsychiatry

Our telehealth services are a benefit for patients for several reasons:

• Access: the ability to get medical help and support from a professional in a more comfortable setting

• Convenience: the reduced need for travel saves time and money

• Seamless care: being able to work with your schedule means keeping regular appointments at an easier pace

• Discretion: your sessions are given more privacy by suiting your comfort needs and reducing office visits, lowering any stigma

In-person therapy

Here are some things office sessions can offer telehealth doesn’t:

• Sensory cues: some visual cues are obvious either way, but whether someone is drinking or using other destructive actions to cope may not be

• Fewer distractions: comfort is vital to therapy, but so is focus, which can be difficult with a house full of people or pets

• Sanctuary from issues: If your home environment is part of the problem, it makes it harder to get help in that environment

Ultimately the choice between therapy to care for your problems measured against no access obviously means that both options are important and viable, but how effective either is will be down to your specific needs. Make an appointment with Edward Macias, PMHNP-BC, and Blue Mountain Psychiatry today to get therapeutic help to cope with your problems.