Tips For Selecting An Online Psychiatrist

Sometimes, we could use the help of a professional therapist. From COVID-19-related stress and workplace conflict to self-esteem issues stemming from unrealistic body images portrayed on social media, there are many factors affecting people’s mental health in today’s society. If you’re feeling down, nervous, or insecure, that doesn't mean you're broken. There is no shame in talking to a counselor or a therapist if you need help.

With that said, finding a good therapist can be challenging, especially if you live in an area where there is limited access to mental health support. Others avoid going to therapy because of the cost, while some feel that the stigma attached to attending therapy conflicts with the identity they wish to present to the world (i.e., “I’m strong enough to get through difficulty on my own” or “Strong people don’t need to ask for help”).

After expounding on the benefits of online therapy as an emerging treatment for various mental health-related conditions and challenges, we’ll share tried-and-true tips for finding the best online psychiatrist to fit your goals. 

The benefits of online therapy

The internet has allowed people from all around the world to be connected, and this has changed mental health care. If you need to talk to a professional, you can now do so from any location with a secure internet connection. The ability to attain mental health treatment from home is especially advantageous for people living with disabilities, those with nontraditional schedules, or those who struggle with leaving the home.

Online therapy and psychiatry overcome such barriers by enabling video chat and direct messaging with a professional, licensed counselor. Whether you’re commuting to work, going on a walk in the park, or at home on the weekend, you can schedule virtual therapy sessions at convenient times.

Online therapy may be less expensive than traditional therapy. Many online therapists and counselors can work from home, meaning they don't have to spend money on space outside their residence. This reduces costs and travel expenses.

Online therapy is also beneficial because you can choose the length and frequency of sessions. With traditional therapy, you are usually governed by the rules of the office. Online therapy also gives people with physical limitations the ability to take care of their mental health. The mobility of a person living with a certain disability can affect how they engage in therapy. 

Tips for finding the best online mental health provider

Counseling is a field that has strict requirements – not everyone can call themselves a counselor. Instead, practitioners need to go through years of education and receive a license, and psychiatrists in particular must go through additional training in order to prescribe medications (which psychologists cannot do). 

Anyone can falsely claim they are an online psychiatrist or psychologist, so how do you separate the authentic providers from the inauthentic ones? Consider the following recommendations to find your ideal online psychiatrist or psychologist.

Look for legitimate services

One solution is to go to a certified online therapist provider. Websites such as MyTherapist can connect you with real professionals who have the credentials required to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. These sites are usually made up of people who have a good referral network and can direct you to a different counselor if needed. If you have any doubts, you can check out the testimonies of other patients who recover from various types of mental conditions.

Search for a specific type of therapy

When seeking out an online counselor, think about how you want to be treated. You may want medication, or you may feel like talk therapy is the best route. Some people can benefit from a combination of both solutions. Different counselors will be qualified in different fields – some will specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where you critically examine your thoughts, actions, and feelings, to change your behavior. Others may use dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to manage their emotions.

If you are living with a more severe form of a mental disorder like schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder, you might consider searching for an online psychiatrist and online psychologist, who can combine talk therapy with a medication regimen. When you conduct an initial search of providers online or in your geographic area, read into what styles of treatment they offer, then research those methods to learn more about what they would require from you as a participant.

Try a therapy test-run

When you go to talk to a counselor for the first time, think of them as choosing a car. You wouldn't just buy a car without testing it out. The same applies to a counselor. You do not know if their style is a good fit for you upon first meeting them, necessarily. One way you can go for a trial relationship with an online psychiatrist or psychologist is to make sure your insurance pays for it. This allows you to try out different providers without as much of a risk. Talk to your insurance provider and see what they cover.

Ask the right questions

When you're going in for your evaluation, you may think you're the one who has to answer all the questions, and the therapist has to ask. This doesn't have to necessarily be the case. Instead, you should ask your therapist some questions as well. Treat the process like a job interview by asking these kinds of questions:

• What is your philosophy of treatment? A good counselor will believe that the patient and their safety should come first. 
• What is your experience? The counselor should be glad to tell you their education, licensing, or other proof that they are experienced and are who they say they are.
• What can you do for me? A counselor isn't going to have the perfect solution just by meeting you, but what they can do is give you a rundown of what they may be able to do for the problem(s) you share.
• When are you available? Counselors have their own lives, but when you need help, you should know when you can speak to them. A counselor can tell you when they can be contacted, or when they will be able to get back to you promptly.
• What will you do if the treatment is unsuccessful? Treatment is trial and error. Some techniques that work for some may not work for others. A counselor should be ready for change should the initial treatment not work. 

Remember that change takes time

Please don't be too puzzled or scared if a particular treatment seems to not work for you. At moments like that, the best step to take is speaking to your therapist about it. Your therapist can find suitable alternatives to help you every step of the way. You may discover that your therapist will either check for other helpful options or refer you to other therapists. Here are some questions to ask your therapist for proper clarification:

• How long does it take for me to see the results?
• Are there steps that I can take to increase the efficacy of therapy?
• Can medication be helpful and are there lifestyle changes?
• What treatment method are we utilizing, and is it too early to try a different method?

Remember, no counselor is perfect

There are amazing counselors out there who may not be a good fit for you. Maybe it's their personality or how they treat people. Perhaps they remind you of someone in your life with whom you have a poor relationship. This doesn't mean you should disregard therapy entirely; it just means you didn't have the best fit.

With online counseling, you have a better chance of finding the right fit because you have a denser network of professionals with whom you can meet The risk of finding a counselor who isn't a good fit is still there, but just not as high compared to seeking treatment in an area with very limited mental health practitioners. You can communicate your concerns with your counselor, and they will likely be amenable to making changes.

Ask for the evidence

Some people might avoid going to an online psychiatrist or psychologist because they’re skeptical of the efficacy of an internet-based format. These concerns are understandable, and it is a good idea to research the effectiveness of certain forms of therapy prior to starting so that you can feel more confident in your decision to participate in counseling.

Let’s look at the evidence when it comes to online therapy, in general. Within the field of psychology, research from studies overwhelmingly affirms the efficacy of online therapy as a treatment for improving symptoms of anxiety and depression. A meta-analysis combined results from 20 studies involving over 1,400 patients and found that online CBT was just as effective as in-person CBT for treating these mental health conditions.

But what about online psychiatry, which involves writing prescriptions? Can an online psychiatrist effectively get to know you over the internet and prescribe the correct dosage and form of medication? Publications like the World Journal of Psychiatry have reported high levels of patient satisfaction among those participating in videoconferencing-based psychiatric assessments, and that outcomes in these cases are comparable to those experienced by people seeking in-person psychiatric treatment. 

When interviewing potential online psychiatrists or psychologists, they should be able to refer you to credible organizations which can shed light on different forms of treatment. Otherwise, you can conduct a simple search online. Just make sure to check each source for reliability -- .gov and .edu sources are generally more reliable than .com sources, which may be used for primarily commercial reasons.

Takeaway

We hope this article has given you some insight as to whether or not online counseling is for you. There are many ways you can pick an online counselor and receiving the mental health you need can help you out immensely. 

Do not think that just because your problem feels insignificant compared to other people’s issues that you do not deserve support or attention. Your mental problem could be a passing phase, or it could be exacerbated if left untreated. If you’re ready to pursue guidance and learn techniques that could change your life for the better, reach out to an empathetic, licensed online counselor at MyTherapist today.