Telepsychiatry near me


Best Telepsychiatry in Florida | Online Psychiatry, Telehealth Near Me

Harmony United Psychiatric Care is now offering telemedicine psychiatry – psychiatric online services, including online counseling and psychiatric medication management, throughout Florida.

Now you can talk to a psychiatrist online and take advantage of the many benefits of online mental health services:

  • Talk to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed counselor online in real-time via a computer/laptop, smartphone, or tablet from your home or other location
  • Avoid travel and save time while receiving flexible, prompt scheduling.
  • Enjoy increased access to mental health services for individuals with physical, medical, and/or mobility limitations.
  • Get treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorders, and other mental health conditions.  
  • Our telemedicine psychiatry service is simple and secure, requiring no special app — just a link we will send you!

Telepsychiatry | Telehealth Services

We offer the following online mental health services through our telehealth psychiatry program:

We accept most insurance, including Medicare. (View our Accepted Insurance page.) 

How It Works

Your tele psychiatry visit will require a computer/laptop, smart phone or tablet with a video camera and microphone. To get started with your online counseling:

  • Request a telepsychiatry visit by submitting the form on this page. You can also call us at (800) 457-4573 or email [email protected] to request an appointment.
  • Immediately after your appointment is scheduled, you will receive an email confirming your appointment time and a link for your required pre-checking information.
  • If you are a new patient, you will also receive an email with instructions to set up your Patient Portal account. You will need to complete all the paperwork within your Patient Portal account, including the Telehealth Consent Form, at least 48 hours prior to your appointment, or your appointment will be cancelled. If you an existing patient, you will need to complete the Telehealth Consent Form if you have not already done so. (The Telehealth Consent Form is also available on the For Clients page).
  • One hour before your telepsychiatry appointment, you will receive a reminder email/text with a link to your telemed visit.
  • Please log in 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
  • If you are unsure about your device’s readiness for an online counseling session, contact us at (800) 457-4573. We will assist you and do a test run with your device.
  • For more information regarding telepsychiatry visits, please see our Client Guide to Telepsychiatry.

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Telehealth Psychiatry: Find an Online Psychiatrist

Which mental health conditions can be addressed with Talkspace's online psychiatry services?

Talkspace's online psychiatry services can help to address a variety of mental health conditions with personalized treatment plans consisting of prescription medication, talk therapy, or both. Common conditions treated with Talkspace Psychiatry include:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety Disorder & Social Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Insomnia
  • Panic Disorder

No matter your mental health concerns, Talkspace prescribers can help you develop a treatment plan that works for you.

Is an online psychiatrist the same as an in-person psychiatrist?

Online psychiatrists are just like in-person psychiatrists. Whether in-person or virtually, providers specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. The main difference is the method of delivery — you’ll be seeing an online psychiatrist on screen rather than sitting in a doctor's office. Talkspace providers can conduct sessions from wherever you're most comfortable, with the additional benefit of being able to prescribe mental health medication online.

What is the difference between therapy and psychiatry?

Therapy and psychiatry can both play an important role in your mental health treatment plan. In therapy, licensed therapists work with you to discuss personal challenges and devise a personalized plan, but they aren't able to prescribe medication. 

Psychiatry is a medical specialty that monitors medication to treat mental health symptoms. Psychiatrists and nurse practitioners are licensed medical providers who specialize in mental health treatment and can provide psychiatric care services and personalized medication management.

Can online therapists prescribe medication?

A licensed therapist cannot prescribe medications. To get mental health medication you need a prescription from a licensed psychiatrist or nurse practitioner.

However, online psychiatrists can prescribe medication to treat mental health conditions (with the exception of controlled substances). It's important to remember that there are no major differences between in-person psychiatry and telehealth psychiatry. Talkspace's platform is HIPAA-compliant and all communication is private and encrypted.

What kind of medications are prescribed on Talkspace?

Talkspace prescribers are able to prescribe all medications online except for controlled substances. Following an initial psychiatric evaluation, prescribers can assess mental health symptoms virtually and prescribe medications when needed. Talk to your doctor about psychiatry medications prior to treatment, and visit our Resource Library to learn more about medication management for specific mental health concerns, including medication for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and more.

How much is an online psychiatrist?

Costs for an appointment with an online psychiatrist can vary depending on where you live and sometimes on what mental health specialty you need. Generally an initial assessment with a psychiatrist costs more than follow-up sessions because that initial session will be longer, include a mental health evaluation, and a preliminary treatment plan.

An appointment with a Talkspace online psychiatric provider costs $249.00 for the initial evaluation. Follow up appointments are $125.00, and clients can schedule follow-up sessions directly with their providers."

What kind of prescribers are on the Talkspace psychiatry network?

The Talkspace psychiatry network includes licensed telehealth psychiatrists and nurse practitioners who specialize in psychiatry and can prescribe mental health medications.

Can I see a psychiatrist without a referral?

Yes, you can be matched with one of our Talkspace psychiatrists or nurse practitioners without a referral from a primary care physician.

Will I speak to the same prescriber every time?

Yes, you will work with the same licensed psychiatrist or nurse practitioner throughout your treatment. You can also easily switch at any point without any disruptions in treatment.

What can I expect from my first psychiatry appointment?

The first appointment is all about getting to know you. Your online psychiatrist will ask some questions about your medical and psychological history, including information about any medications you’re taking or mental health symptoms you’re experiencing, and why you are seeking psychiatric care. From there, they will make their recommendations for further treatment, including any prescription medications.

What technology do I need to access Talkspace psychiatry?

All Talkspace psychiatry sessions are facilitated by a licensed mental health professional  through Live Video Sessions (LVS) on the Talkspace platform. At this time, we support online counseling and psychiatric services through LVS on the web and mobile/tablet versions of Talkspace. The Talkspace app is available on both iOS (iPhone, iPad, or iPod) and Android devices. You can access Talkspace using cellular connection or WiFi.

How do I get my medication?

You can pick up your psychiatric medication from your local pharmacy. If you receive mail order delivery through your insurance, you will also be able to receive your medication through delivery as well.

Web consultations and telepsychiatry: on the verge of a boom | Networks/Network world

The development of video technologies increases the attractiveness of telemedicine for doctors and patients

IN MANY CASES, telepsychotherapy is not only a convenience for physicians and patients, but a necessity. Patients often live in areas where there are no psychiatrists in private practice, and hospitals do not have a full-time psychiatrist position

Avrim Fishkind, a Houston psychiatrist, rarely meets his patients in person, and they are quite happy with it. Fischkind has become part of a rapidly developing area of ​​psychotherapy, which is characterized by communication between doctors and patients through videoconferencing on the Web.

“Today we already have over 60,000 patients,” he stressed. “In my memory, only six of them refused to keep in touch via teleconferencing. When it comes to psychotherapy sessions and issues that patients need to discuss during a crisis, many of them find it easier and safer to communicate through telemedicine.” nine0003

According to Fishkind, the possibilities of psychotherapy through communication channels are limited only by the amount of insurance payments. The more insurance companies start paying psychiatrists for remote treatment at the same rates as for in-person visits, the faster this area will grow and develop.

In many cases, telepsychotherapy is not only a convenience for physicians and patients, but a necessity. Patients often live in areas where there are no psychiatrists in private practice, and hospitals do not have a full-time psychiatrist position. nine0003

In addition, remote psychotherapy is used in the treatment of prisoners in prisons and in the care of patients at home.

“Telemedicine is ideal for psychiatry because we don't have to examine patients' internal organs,” Fischkind said. We just talk to them. It is hard to imagine a discipline better adapted to television sessions, with the possible exception of radiology. Everything is very easy to implement, replicate and expand. That's why telemedicine is evolving so fast." nine0003

Telepsychiatry is an excellent platform for expanding the scope of electronic medical records, in which the doctor enters information about the patient's condition.

Communicating with patients via videoconference, Fischkind simultaneously enters notes into his laptop computer, through which the relevant information is transferred to electronic medical records.

Psychiatrist Dilip Chandran of Youth Health Services has been treating patients remotely for the past five months. nine0003

Chandran spends three days a week in Morgantown, where his home and employer, West Virginia University, are located, and two days a week in Elkin, working under a contract between his university and Youth Health Services.

“Patients are happy to see me on their screens,” said a doctor who specializes in treating young people, including adolescents. “I can feel the energy coming from them. This is especially true for children who experience various fears. They are very good at telemedicine.” nine0003

Chandran uses a Logitech webcam and secure video conferencing software from Secure TeleHealth. Patients are located in a room located near their home, equipped with satellite communications. The cost of a set to create one workplace does not exceed a thousand dollars.

Chandran conducts video conferences using a TV, but a laptop or desktop PC with a monitor is also fine for this. nine0003

The system designed for web conferencing belongs to the category of high-definition tools - the image appears on the screen with a resolution of 1080 pixels and a frequency of 30 frames per second. Thanks to this, Chandran notices even a slight twitch and other visual signs that indicate possible mental abnormalities.

The software encrypts the video stream using the AES algorithm with a 128-bit key and digital certificates. nine0003

"The average portable computer is not something that expensive systems of this kind are usually built on," said Eric Kintz, general manager of Logitech for Business. “Meanwhile, by connecting a Logitech webcam to even a regular $600 laptop, our customers will be pleasantly surprised.”

“Consultation via technical means of communication is no worse than a face-to-face consultation,” said Jim Mountain, president of Secure TeleHealth. - Moreover, it is enough for an organization to pay $600 for a computer and 9$0 for webcam plus $80 per month for internet connection. “This is one of the most promising ways to cut Medicaid payments. The availability of psychiatrists will help to avoid hospitalization. And in the case of delivery to a hospital, the cost immediately increases to 50-100 thousand dollars.

"The state is allocating more and more funds to build networked and electronic medical systems, especially in rural areas," said Fischkind, CEO and chief medical officer at JSA Health Telepsychiatry. The company employs 24 part-time and full-time psychiatrists providing emergency medical care to patients in Texas and Louisiana. nine0003

The company provides telepsychiatry services to patients in schools, prisons, local medical facilities and emergency centers.

Communication with patients via Skype

Voyager Telepsychiatry operates a national Skype network of 80 clinics and private practitioners.

In addition to network administration, the company maintains planning and billing systems.

According to Voyager Telepsychiatry CEO Douglas Ickelheimer, AES 256-bit encryption makes Skype as secure as proprietary technology without having to pay extra money for the software. nine0003

“We need to revolutionize telepsychiatry and eventually mental health in general,” he said in an email to Computerworld weekly.

For a long time, the development of telepsychiatry was held back by high prices, according to Ickelheimer. Recently, financial barriers have been replaced by tougher legislation, in particular the adoption of the Health Insurance Accountability and Security Act (HIPAA). Despite the clear financial gain, people today are seriously concerned about security issues. nine0003

"Now this group consists mainly of the videoconferencing industry ... as well as professionals who provide HIPAA compliance training, books and guides on the subject," Ickelheimer said.

Although Skype belongs to a class of peer-to-peer technologies that provide a lower level of security compared to networks based on dedicated servers, the use of an encryption algorithm leaves only the most trained cybercriminals with a chance of hacking. nine0003

“You can easily buy sophisticated equipment to eavesdrop on conversations and connect to phones,” said Ickelheimer. “And when it comes to changing the dose of the antidepressant Prozac, the question is who will have access to this information.

Regardless of the actual level of security provided by Skype, some psychiatrists still have a difficult relationship with this service.

“I didn't feel the system provided enough security,” Chandran said. “I don't know anything about her in terms of encryption. However, it can be assumed that most computers today are quite secure.” nine0003

Other criticisms are that laptop screens are not large enough to create a feeling of full contact with the doctor.

According to Fishkind, the perception of the image on the screen depends on the individual patient. “The younger the patient, the more comfortable he feels with a computer screen,” he stressed. “But patients aged (45, 55 or 65) prefer not a computer screen, but a TV.”

a new format for meeting with a psychologist - Arkhnet.Info

Dr. Avrim Fishkind, a psychiatrist in Houston, rarely sees any of his patients in person, and they love it.

In many cases, such psychiatry is a necessity, and not just a convenience for doctors and patients. Patients are often located in regions with "poor" psychiatric practices or where hospitals do not employ psychologists.

Innovativehealthstrategies.org is part of a fast-growing mental health movement where physicians consult patients via low-cost video conferencing technology, which could be an outlet for those who would like to receive such low-cost treatment abroad without resorting to overseas travel and expenses. transfer. nine0003

"We've already had just over 60,000 patient meetings. As far as I know, only six of them have opted out of this form of communication," he said. "When it comes to mental health issues, many patients feel that this meeting format is less 'difficult'. Many of the patients find it easier to be open and communicate with the doctor this way."

Telepsychiatry is also often used to treat prisoners and nursing home patients.

Also, this branch of medicine is an ideal platform for expanding the use of electronic medical records for documenting patient information.

Fishkind said that telepsychiatry is limited to insurance premiums only. The more insurance companies begin to reimburse the cost of this type of treatment at the same rate as they do for personal visits, the more new areas of medicine will grow, although everyone understands that the treatment of lung or kidney cancer in Germany is not possible, in contrast from advising on these issues. nine0003

Dr. Chandran, a psychologist who works at Services Inc. Youth Health Center in Elkin, West Virginia, has been treating patients in remote areas using telemedicine for the past five months.

"Patients feel calmer and livelier when they see me on the monitor," the doctor said of the children.

Chandran uses a webcam and secure video conferencing software to communicate with patients in a fully equipped office close to home. The cost of this activity is just under $1,000. nine0003

Chandran's conference system has high definition capabilities - 1080 resolution running at 30 frames per second, allowing Chandran to see even the smallest visual cues that can reveal problems.

The software ensures that the video stream is encrypted using the 128-bit AES algorithm and digital certificates.

If government subsidies for online and e-health systems—particularly in rural areas—grow, telemedicine will continue to expand across America, and beyond. Also, on the contrary, patients from the USA will be able to be treated remotely in Europe, up to urology treatment in Germany or Switzerland, of their choice. nine0003

Telepsychiatry has evolved since the 1990s with the maturation of the World Wide Web and the ability to communicate online with patients via e-mail and instant messaging.

The target audience of the young industry were people living in rural areas who could not make a trip to a clinic or private practice. Previously, video conferencing was difficult to implement due to the lack of Internet traffic.

In 1999, a group of psychologists, including Fishkind, who specializes in crisis situations, met to discuss the possibilities of telepsychiatry.


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