For many people in Eastern Virginia, the barriers are real. There may not be a clinic nearby. You may not have reliable transportation. Your work or caregiving schedule may make it hard to get to appointments during office hours.
Telepsychiatry is one way more people are getting the care they need.
It uses secure video or phone visits so you can meet with a psychiatrist from home or another private location. In this article, we will cover what telepsychiatry is, how well it works, what to know about insurance, and how it supports continuity of care. If you are unsure where to start, your local Community Services Board (CSB) can help you explore both local and telehealth options.
What is telepsychiatry, in plain language?
Telepsychiatry is a form of telemedicine that delivers psychiatric assessment and care through video or audio technology instead of only in person. According to the American Psychiatric Association, telepsychiatry can include evaluation, therapy, medication management, and consultation using secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms.
In practice, that might look like this: you log into a secure video visit on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. You speak with a licensed psychiatrist in real time, much like you would in an office. They ask questions, review your history, discuss medications, and develop a treatment plan with you. Follow-up visits also happen by video or phone, unless you and your provider decide an in-person visit is needed.
Telepsychiatry is not a separate kind of mental health care. It is simply a different way of accessing the same professional services, using technology to reduce travel time and open up more options, especially for people in rural or underserved areas.
Does telepsychiatry actually work?
A key question for many people is whether telepsychiatry is “as good as” seeing someone face to face. Research suggests that for many common mental health conditions, it is.
Reviews of telepsychiatry have found that it can provide outcomes similar to in-person care for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders, while improving access for people who might not otherwise receive care. Studies have also found that telepsychiatry is associated with higher appointment completion rates, meaning fewer missed visits and cancellations compared with traditional care.
Telepsychiatry is not perfect for every person or every situation. Some people prefer or need in-person visits. Certain emergencies or complex medical issues still require face-to-face evaluation. But for many adults, teens, and children, telepsychiatry has become a safe, effective part of their ongoing mental health treatment, especially when combined with local supports.
Telepsychiatry in Eastern Virginia
Eastern Virginia includes urban centers and smaller communities where accessing specialty mental health care can be challenging. Telepsychiatry can help bridge that gap, especially when you work through your local CSB.
Community Services Boards are the publicly funded entry point for mental health, substance use, and developmental services in Virginia. Many CSBs now offer a mix of in-person and telehealth services, including psychiatric evaluation and medication management delivered by video. Telepsychiatry can reduce travel time, make it easier to schedule visits around work or school, and connect you with specialists who may not live in your immediate area.
If you are not sure what is available where you live, you do not have to guess. You can call your local CSB and say something like, “I think I may need medication for anxiety [or another concern]. I would like to know what local and telehealth options you offer for psychiatric care.” Staff can explain which services are available by video, how to schedule an intake, and what to expect from the process.
Telepsychiatry does not have to replace local care. In many cases, it works best as part of a blended approach, with a psychiatrist you see online and other supports, such as therapy, case management, or groups, available in your community.
What about insurance and cost?
Coverage for telepsychiatry has changed quickly over the past few years. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, many insurers expanded telehealth coverage. Since then, some policies have evolved, but the general trend has been toward ongoing support for telehealth in behavioral health.
Recent reports note that many private insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid plans now cover telepsychiatry, often at the same rate as in-person visits, although specific rules can vary by state and by plan. Telepsychiatry can also reduce indirect costs, such as travel, parking, time off work, or childcare, making care more realistic for many families.
Because coverage details change, the safest approach is to check with both your insurance plan and your provider. Questions you can ask include:
- Is telepsychiatry covered under my behavioral health benefits?
- Do I have a different copay for telehealth vs in-person visits?
- Are there limits on how many telehealth visits I can have in a year?
If you receive services through a CSB, staff can often help you understand what your insurance will cover, and what options exist if you are uninsured or under-insured. Many CSBs use sliding fee scales or other funding sources to keep care as accessible as possible.
How telepsychiatry supports continuity of care
Continuity of care means staying connected to treatment over time and across changes in your life. Telepsychiatry can be an important part of that.
Research on telehealth in behavioral health has found that virtual visits can support ongoing engagement, especially for people who might otherwise miss appointments because of transportation difficulties, work schedules, or caregiving responsibilities. When you can attend more of your visits, your provider can monitor your symptoms more closely, adjust medications safely, and respond sooner if things start to worsen.
Telepsychiatry can also make it easier to maintain care during transitions, such as moving within the region, changing jobs, or dealing with temporary mobility issues. Instead of pausing treatment until you can find a new in-person provider, telehealth may allow you to continue with the same psychiatrist or transition more smoothly.
Many telepsychiatry services use electronic health records and patient portals, which can improve communication between your psychiatrist, therapist, primary care provider, and CSB team. When your providers can see the same information, it is easier to coordinate care and avoid gaps or conflicting recommendations.
Getting ready for your first telepsychiatry visit
If you decide to try telepsychiatry, a little preparation can make your first visit smoother. Here are a few practical steps:
- Find a private space where you feel comfortable talking, even if that means sitting in a parked car, using headphones in a quiet room, or asking family members to give you privacy during the appointment. Test your internet connection and device ahead of time, if you can, so you are not rushed.
- Gather your current medications and any past mental health records you have. Write down your main concerns, when they started, and what you hope to change. It is also helpful to list previous treatments you have tried, including medications that worked or caused side effects.
- During the appointment, it is okay to ask the psychiatrist to repeat information, explain terms you do not understand, or summarize the plan at the end. Telepsychiatry is still your care, and you are allowed to take an active role.
Where to start if you need medication management
If you think medication might be part of your treatment, you do not have to figure it out alone or search the internet for random providers. In Eastern Virginia, your local Community Services Board can help you understand your options.
If you need medication management and are unsure where to start, call your CSB for local and telehealth options. Staff can explain how to schedule an assessment, what services are offered by video, and how those connect with other supports, such as therapy or case management.
If you are in crisis, such as having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel that you cannot stay safe, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Telepsychiatry is not about replacing in-person care. It is about expanding your options so that distance, transportation, or a busy schedule do not stand between you and the help you need.
With the right support, you can work with your providers to find a combination of local and telehealth services that fits your life and supports your long-term mental health.
