Beneficiaries of telepsychiatry
It is not easy for some people to seek help or treatment for their mental problems that are hindering their quality of life. Sometimes there is a reluctance to discuss personal or family failures, addictions,or even criminal acts to a stranger. Parents of children who have behavioral or destructive tendencies that cannot be managed by conventional methods must turn to therapists or doctors who have the knowledge to properly diagnose these children. With two working parents in a family, it can be very challenging to schedule regular trips to a doctor’s office. If these individuals or children, who need mental health care, live in rural areas, finding mental health care facilities can be difficult and discouraging. An online therapist or psychiatrist can give these patients the counseling they need. Another population of people who can benefit from online mental health therapy are prisoners. Telepsychiatry works well in a prison setting because of the secure and controlled environment. The cost and procedure of transporting prisoners to outside facilities is minimal and there are plenty of willing participants who will benefit from receiving therapy prior to their release from prison if they are eligible.
Preparation for an online psychiatry session
If a prospective patient or a mental health care professional is to have a successful online session, there are things that can be done to make the online therapy session productive for both the patient and the therapist.
The room where the session will take place should be quiet, free from indoor traffic, and off limits to distractions from people, pets, electronic devices, and visual objects.
The equipment that will be used should include a set of headphones that cancels outside noises. The headphones will help the sound of voices be more clear and will ensure privacy during the session.
The computer hardware that will be used during the session should be set up for both eye and body comfort and the internet connection should be strong enough to prevent buffering during the meeting. A private network should be protected by a strong password. Any open programs or applications should be closed prior to the beginning of the session.
The first session
A person’s initial meeting with a therapist or doctor will probably be apprehensive, but it is during the first session that a foundation of trust and rapport between the patient and the psychiatrist can be established. An online psychiatry session is typically conducted the same way as a traditional appointment. There will be a series of questions that the doctor will ask the patient so that a basis for dialogue and treatment can be established.
The questions may include physical or mental symptoms that the patient may be experiencing, medications that a patient is currently or may have taken, and the mental health history of any family members. A doctor may also find it important to request a patient to have blood tests done before any medication is prescribed. All the information that the therapist is gathering from the patient is necessary for the welfare and treatment of the person who needs mental health care.
The cooperation and input of patients are just as important as the questions that are asked by the therapist. It can put patients more at ease if they do some preparation on their end by making a list of questions or topics that they want to discuss with the doctor during the session.
Ongoing sessions
If a client decides to have additional sessions, an online mental health program will continue under the supervision of the doctor or therapist. These ongoing sessions can be in the form of life coaching, role-playing, meditation, or just soul searching conversation in a nonjudgmental environment. Telepsychiatry gives people the option to receive mental health care in a more relaxed atmosphere, reduces barriers such as childcare and transportation, and gives a patient the reassurance of privacy during their treatment. Treating children through online psychiatry requires special training and considerations for specific child behavior.
Child Telepsychiatry
Treating children through telepsychiatry requires a specific setting that is comfortable for children. Many times children are accompanied by their parents, guardians, or other interested adults who have a stake in the welfare of the child. Seating arrangements need to accompany children without overwhelming them with the videoconferencing equipment. A hyperactive or autistic child needs a room big enough to accomodate unpredictable movements or activity.
The mental health provider, who is conducting a session with a child, has to have the ability to maintain the patient’s attention by instilling trust and empathy. A child will respond better to how the words are spoken instead of what the spoken words are. Sometimes there is a difference in the language between the child and the parents or other family members. It may be necessary to include an interpreter during the session.
There may be racial, ethnic or cultural gaps between the mental health providers and the patients. Providers must be sensitive to which is the best way to convey counseling to the different groups of patients who are seeking help. Both verbal and nonverbal communication methods need to be tailored to different cultures and socioeconomic groups.
Is telepsychiatry suitable for everyone?
Even though online therapy reaches many people, who may have obstacles that prevent them from receiving the counseling they need, there are some patients who are not ideal candidates for telepsychiatry.
A telepsychiatry session does not work well with highly agitated patients or people who express a desire to harm themselves or others.
Sometimes an online therapist or psychologist can evaluate a patient by subtle physical signs such as their affect or the rhythm or beat of their speech. Equipment used in telepsychiatry will not allow a physician or therapist to detect these signs, which can be very valuable in diagnosing a mental disorder.
Summary
Anyone who feels that online psychiatry sessions would be helpful to them should take advantage of this technology. Many people do not seek the help they need to overcome their mental problems because they may doubt the effectiveness of this type of therapy. Other prospective patients want the help but have parental responsibilities or economic disadvantages that keep them from having traditional therapy sessions. These drawbacks can be overcomed by participating in telepsychiatry. Many times mental health problems are not addressed by patients because of the stigma they feel about these conditions, but once they seek help they will begin to live more healthier and happier lives. Telepsychiatry can be the vehicle to make treatment possible.