Telehealth in Psychiatry: Debunking Common Myths and Misconceptions

About 60 million Americans suffer from mental health issues according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and only about half those individuals receive the treatment they need to feel better. 

Telepsychiatry makes seeking mental healthcare more convenient for many people, but unfortunately, misunderstandings about telepsychiatry can wind up preventing many people from getting the personalized care they need.

In this post, Fayz A. Hudefi, MD, and the team at My Psych Health dispel some of the most common myths about telepsychiatry, so you can make an informed choice about your treatment options.

Myth: Telehealth isn’t as “good” as in-person visits

Telehealth provides the same level of excellent care as in-person therapy services, with the same degree of thoroughness, compassion, confidentiality, and expertise. Our team employs the same techniques and technology used in in-person visits for custom therapy tailored to your needs.

Because therapy can be performed in your home or other private area of your choice, it also alleviates a lot of the stress and inconvenience associated with traveling to a doctor’s office for care. What’s more, having therapy in a place that’s comfortable and familiar to you helps you relax, so you can focus more on your therapy session without distractions. 

Myth: Telehealth isn’t private

Telehealth platforms use state-of-the-art encryption to ensure a secure experience. Plus, our team adheres to HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations designed to protect patient privacy.

For your session, be sure to select an area that’s private and quiet. For added privacy, consider buying an inexpensive white-noise device to use near the entryway of the space you’re using.

Myth: Telehealth is only OK if you don’t use medications

Many people think telepsychiatry is only used to deliver “talk therapy,” but that isn’t the case. Though telehealth can be an ideal medium for cognitive behavioral therapy and other types of psychotherapy, our team provides complete medication management, prescribing and refilling medications during your visit. We also monitor your progress and evaluate any symptoms you may be having so that we can adjust your dose or change medications as needed.

Myth: Telehealth isn’t for people who live in rural areas

Telehealth can be a good option for anyone, no matter where they live. In fact, telehealth was originally developed to provide top-quality medical care to people living in more rural or remote areas where provider access is limited. 

For people in urban or suburban areas, telehealth offers treatment without the hassles associated with finding transportation or parking and without the time cost of traveling to an office. It’s especially convenient for people with busy work or personal schedules and for people in school who don’t want to miss a day in classes to seek treatment.

Myth: Telehealth is only good for mild or minor issues

Telepsychiatry is effective for a wide range of issues, including more severe or chronic conditions. By enhancing access to care, telepsychiatry makes it easier to stay on track with therapy and to adjust medications when needed. 

It’s also an excellent option for people with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, or other issues that make it difficult to leave the home to seek care.

Myth: Telehealth prevents developing a trusting relationship with your provider

Actually, many people find it easier to build a trusting bond with their provider when care is provided in the comfort of their own home. Once again, a family environment fosters a sense of security that helps you feel more comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings. 

Our team uses a variety of methods to build rapport and trust over time, so you can get the most from every session and from your overall treatment plan, as well.

Learn more about telepsychiatry

My Psych Health is a leading provider of telehealth psychiatric services for patients anywhere in Arkansas or Oklahoma. If you’d like to learn how telepsychiatry can help you improve your health and your quality of life, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Hudefi and his team today.