Your mental health can be overlooked, whether past trauma or present circumstances have led you to any issues that affect your thinking day-to-day-living or leave you with a dissatisfaction that doesn’t seem to fade. If you’re someone who doesn’t like face-to-face interaction and appointments that a referral from your doctor will provide, other options can fit into your schedule. The rise of online treatment options such as Talkspace or Doctor on Demand has made it easier to find a psychiatrist that works for you and fits into your schedule.
This article will help you decide what service would be best for you and some things you might consider when choosing a psychiatrist. We’ll also look at any therapy and medication that might be required so that you can make your recovery journey as simple and effective as possible.
When Is It The Right Time To Look For Treatment?
Mental health is often crowded with secrecy and stigmatization, so people are often too ashamed to seek therapy. Still, it doesn’t have to be this way, and psychiatrists are trained in helping to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. If you have symptoms of anxiety or depression, an online service is worth trying. Below are some signs that might not seem obvious but are treatable and can signal that you need treatment.
- Persistently sad and a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.
- Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness can lead to self-inflicting behavior or, at worst, thoughts of suicide.
- Chronic fatigue or appetite changes, with issues with sleeping or oversleeping.
- Unable to focus or concentrate or feel on edge, which can include persistent thoughts of worry.
How To Choose An Online Psychotherapy Service
With so many options out there, it can seem overwhelming to make any decisions, so below, we have provided some of the best psychiatry services and what you can expect from each one. Be aware that not all types of insurance coverage, so you might have to consult your provider to see what options are available.
Talkspace
This service has all the benefits of having access to a psychiatrist service from the touch of your phone, from the simple sign-up process to communicating by video chat. Initial evaluations cost around $199, and follow-up visits cost about $125 each, depending on how much you use the service. Once you fill in a brief assessment, the service will match you with a licensed psychiatrist who can conduct therapy sessions when needed, and if you feel the match isn’t quite right, you’re welcome to switch doctors should you need to.
MDLIVE
This service is known for being flexible with its appointments, so it could work for you if you have a busy timetable or would rather have weekend or evening appointments. Depending on your insurance, the service can cost up to $284 for an initial visit and $108 per follow-up appointment. The service can offer a number of medications, but this can be limited if you need drugs such as ADHD stimulants and don’t treat certain conditions such as active psychosis and substance abuse.
Doctor On Demand
This service is good if you want a comprehensive view of different mental health providers so that you can view the specialty areas and qualifications of each. These appointments are available for $299 for an initial 25-minute consultation and $129 for a 15-minute follow-up appointment, and you can find 24/7 access to doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists. Any care is provided over a secure video connection; no one will share your personal information unless you request this.
Betterhelp
This site offers a more affordable option for those who might not have the means to access other services. The sign-up process is simple, and you can expect to pay around $70 per week for four therapy sessions. You’ll also be able to connect with your therapist through secure messaging, so you can keep in touch as needed outside of sessions.
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LiveHealth Online
If you’re looking for a telemedicine service where you can choose health services one at a time, rather than having a baseline subscription fee, you might want to consider LiveHealth online. Initial evaluations cost around $175, and follow-up appointments are available for $75 per visit, which is the best value for your money option on this list. All doctors on this service are specifically trained to perform health visits online, so you’re not missing out on the face-to-face experience of going in person.
Some Limitations Of Online Psychiatry Services
As good as these services are, there may be cases where you need ongoing care that might require a physical examination that these services cannot provide. There is also the issue of medication, as these services don’t usually prescribe controlled substances, ADHD medications, or any medication that are highly subject to abuse, which can make your recovery slightly more inconvenient. Substances such as Xanax or Adderall can only be prescribed through in-person visits, so you can discuss your options more and manage your use of these medications.
Another issue is that some of these services might come in the form of a chat function or text therapy, which isn’t going to help everyone, and you might require specific forms of care that go beyond typing in response to your psychiatrist. This leads to the insurance issue, which does not all cover these types of services, and you might only be able to check once you’ve begun the sign-up process. The best way to circumnavigate this inconvenience is to check the complete list of partners with each service to see if it’s covered in part or fully.
Some Advice When Picking out A Psychiatrist
When you sign up for any of these services, you’ll usually have to fill in an assessment or questionnaire that details your lifestyle, behavior, and even some of your issues. It’s okay to feel like you don’t want to divulge too much information, but in some cases, it can help assign you to the right psychiatrist that specializes in your area, so your treatment can be more effective. Of course, during your sessions, there isn’t a set agenda that you have to keep to, and you can say as little or as much as you feel like, especially if you feel you aren’t able to explain your emotions clearly, and you can work through it as you see fit.
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Conclusion
With all this information, you might decide to start tomorrow or a week from now, but this is ok as accepting any care of any kind can be something that many people are reluctant to accept. While in the process, it will be worth discussing your treatment with close friends or family so they can give some insight and might give you a view you might not have considered. You also want to manage your lifestyle, so eating right and staying active can be helpful if your symptoms involve stress and help those working through issues such as eating disorders.
Throughout the process, you ultimately have a say in your treatment. So if you’re not happy to divulge certain aspects of your life or if you feel you aren’t getting anywhere, you should raise your concerns with your specialist, and this way, you can explore other options that might suit you better. Take care of yourself, and thank you for reading.
Affiliate Disclosure: we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided on this page.
How much do online psychiatrist services cost?
Prices for online psychiatry services vary depending on the provider, but initial evaluations typically cost around $175, with follow-up appointments costing $75 per visit. This makes online psychiatry one of the most affordable mental health treatment options.
What are some of the limitations of online psychiatry?
Some limitations of online psychiatry include the lack of face-to-face interaction, the inability to prescribe controlled substances, and the lack of insurance coverage for these services. Not all patients will respond well to text or chat therapy, so it’s essential to consider all treatment options before deciding on an online psychiatrist.
What should i look for in an online psychiatrist?
When choosing an online psychiatrist, it’s essential to consider the provider’s credentials, experience, and specialty areas. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that your insurance plan covers the provider and that they offer services tailored to your specific needs.
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