We provide an array of services to treat various mental health conditions. As a psychiatrist, we offer treatment in adult psychiatry, child psychiatry, adolescent psychiatry, and family counseling. Since each patient is unique, we will need to customize the treatment to meet their needs. We can provide treatment for bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, mood disorder, ADHD, OCD, social anxiety, and more. Among various treatment options, we also provide transcranial magnetic stimulation, neurostimulation therapy, telepsychiatry, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and ketamine treatment. The type of therapy or number of sessions a patient need may change over time. Part of our treatment will involve helping the patient learn to cope with their symptoms.
Self-care and mental health go hand in hand to improve and maintain a person’s quality of life. Many people need support to nurture their mental health, so they have ongoing contact with a mental health professional. However, it is not always possible or easy to meet in person for these appointments. Telepsychiatry involves patients receiving psychiatric care and therapy with a professional with videoconferencing or phone calls.
Telepsychiatry is available at Wholehealth PLLC in Houston and the surrounding area. We use this method of patient contact for ongoing support. Telepsychiatry may be combined with other methods of treatment when appropriate. Our team will consider including it in a patient’s customized treatment plan.
Call us today at 832-831-3183 to find out more about whether telepsychiatry is right for you.
While there are a multitude of benefits to incorporating therapy sessions at our practice into a treatment plan, some patients may benefit from telepsychiatry as well. There are several possible reasons for why it may be more beneficial for a patient to choose telepsychiatry over traditional methods, including:
Since a psychiatric appointment is a medical appointment, patient privacy laws apply. Therefore, patients should expect to use a secure software platform for their telepsychiatry sessions. Information about the software, including access credentials, should be shared ahead of time. Patients should also have an opportunity to test the software before the first appointment to be sure they know how it works.
When the provider and patient connect via video call, the process is similar to an in-person behavioral health appointment. During intake, the patient should have provided information about prior mental health assessments, overall physical health, current medications, and the reasons for starting teletherapy. Just as with in-person appointments, making notes ahead of time should help patients remember all the points they want to cover with the provider. Some items patients should note include:
During the session, patients should expect to talk about anything and everything that is on their minds. The psychiatrist knows when to delve deeper into specific topics when appropriate. Above all, patients should speak freely, as no topic is off-limits, and psychiatrists are bound to confidentiality.
Depending on why a patient has sought therapy from our psychiatrist, we will make a diagnosis at the first appointment or a subsequent one. In any case, a treatment plan will be made to refer to during future visits. For more information on whether telepsychiatry is right for you, reach out to Wholehealth PLLC at 832-831-3183.
Is telepsychiatry covered by insurance?
Some insurance carriers cover behavioral health, whereas others do not. If behavioral health is covered, the plan may also include teletherapy. To find out whether their plan offers coverage, patients should check with their insurance providers.
Can I get telepsychiatry if I have a mental illness?
In many cases, telepsychiatry can be effective. However, whether a patient is a candidate for telepsychiatry is a question for the practitioner. We can help find the most effective treatment for a patient during an initial consultation.
Is telepsychiatry legal?
In most cases, practitioners must be licensed in the location where they provide services. In telemedicine, the location of the patient determines where services are said to be provided. Therefore, patients wishing to connect with telepsychiatrists should find those licensed to practice in the patient’s location.
Is telepsychiatry effective?
The American Psychiatric Association’s Policy on Telepsychiatry, APA, states that psychiatry in the form of video conferencing is a “validated and effective practice of medicine.” It goes on to say that telepsychiatry is “a legitimate component of a mental health delivery system.” However, the APA emphasizes that practitioners must ensure that patient privacy is protected and that the technology is used in accordance with applicable law and medical ethics.
Wholehealth PLLC is located at
6100 Corporate Dr #238,
Houston, TX
77036
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