Telepsychiatry is an innovative practice in healthcare that applies telemedicine to the field of psychiatry. This term refers to the delivery of psychiatric assessment and treatment via telecommunications technology, usually video conferencing.

There’s no question that a lack of access to proper psychiatric care is one of the biggest struggles of the American public health system. While psychiatry is one branch of medicine least affected by technological change, recent advances in videoconferencing technology have proven effective in bringing professional mental health care to underserved populations.

Telepsychiatry is one of the most promising developments in the fight to provide more patient-centered, affordable, and effective interventions for individuals who need psychiatric care.