April 3, 2024
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What is online psychiatry?
Online psychiatry takes place over a video call with a qualified consultant psychiatrist and works much the same way as regular appointments with a psychiatrist. There are no limitations associated with having an appointment online, as you can receive an official diagnosis and prescription for medication if required. The key difference is that online psychiatry allows you to access face-to-face consultations whenever and wherever is convenient for you, without the hassle of having to travel to a clinic.
For more information about booking psychiatry appointments, such as waiting times, fees, cancellations or confidentiality, you can look at our private psychiatry appointments page.
How does online psychiatry work?
Your psychiatrist can conduct a psychiatric assessment for mental health conditions via a remote video consultation, as it involves responses to questions and clinical observation, which are both possible online. You can also receive psychotherapy (talking therapy) online with a qualified clinical psychologist or therapist (link to /services/online-therapy).
You can use your phone, computer or a tablet for your consultation. We have a range of different video platforms available to suit your preferences, including Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. If your preferred platform of choice isn’t listed, please contact us and we’ll do our best to accommodate your preferences (subject to the platform meeting the required safety features).
How can I find an online psychiatrist?
You can choose a psychiatrist who specialises in treating a specific condition or uses a particular approach from our large team of highly qualified consultant psychiatrists (link to /specialist-type/psychiatrists). We can also arrange a brief courtesy call directly with one of our psychiatrists so you can decide for yourself if you feel comfortable talking to them before booking an appointment. During the courtesy call, you can discuss your current situation or ask about treatment for a child or a loved one.
If you’re not sure which psychiatrist you would like to talk to, our friendly team of medical secretaries can guide you through some questions to determine which psychiatrist is the best match for your needs. We can also help you if you are calling on behalf of a loved one or want to find out how you can help someone close to you.
If you prefer to browse through our team of therapists online, you can access all of our therapist profiles here:
What are the benefits of online psychiatry?
Research shows that online psychiatry can be just as effective as in-person consultations, and studies have found that for some individuals, online psychiatry might even be more effective. Some people prefer contacting online psychiatrists in the UK because it removes the hassle of having to travel to appointments in person. Some people also feel more comfortable having an online discussion with a psychiatrist, rather than in person.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are unable to travel or would prefer not to. However, mental health is an important priority and online psychiatry enables people to receive the benefits of professional psychiatric support without increasing any risks of infection or transmission associated with the virus.
Do I need a referral to see an online psychiatrist?
You don’t need a referral to set up a consultation, whether it’s for an online or in-person appointment. However, if you have a referral letter from your GP or other professional, you are welcome to share it with us.
To set up a consultation, you can simply contact our friendly team of medical secretaries who can guide you through some questions to determine which psychiatrist is the best match for your needs. We can also arrange a brief courtesy call directly with one of our therapists so you can decide for yourself if you feel comfortable talking to them before booking an appointment. During the courtesy call, you can discuss your current situation or ask about treatment for a child or a loved one.
Can a psychiatrist prescribe medication online?
If you require medication, your psychiatrist will be able to prescribe this after an online consultation. It is legal and ethical for online psychiatrists in the UK to write prescriptions for their patients after an online evaluation providing that they are licenced and insured.
Your psychiatrist will send an electronic prescription directly to a pharmacy of your choice using electronic health records. This means that you can collect the medication directly from your nearest pharmacy at your convenience. You don’t need to worry about taking a prescription to the pharmacy, but you may need to check with the pharmacist that they have the medication ready before you go to pick it up.
Deciding whether or not you should take medication is a collaborative process between you and your psychiatrist. If the patient is a child, then it will be a collaborative process between the child’s parents, psychiatrist and the child (if they are old enough to be involved). For more information, please see our FAQ on parental consent for children.
Can I receive treatment from a psychiatrist online?
You can receive online psychiatry for any mental health condition or symptoms that concern you. After an initial consultation and assessment, your psychiatrist will develop a personalised treatment plan based on your symptoms and diagnosis, depending on the type of talking therapy and your specific needs and circumstances. Once your treatment has commenced, your psychiatrist will set up sessions to monitor your improvement and adjust the treatment based on feedback.
How much does online psychiatry cost?
The cost of your appointment will vary depending on your psychiatrist, the time required and the type of appointment. The fees for appointments are stated on all of our psychiatrist’s individual profile pages (link to /specialist-type/psychiatrists). For example, autism and ADHD assessments can be more time-consuming and typically take place over multiple appointments, so they have different costs compared with normal appointments.
We are completely transparent about all fees associated with appointments, prescriptions or treatments. There is no difference in costs between in-person and remote video consultations, nor between self-funding and insurance patients.
For new patients, we will confirm your fees in writing. For a detailed quote or more information about our fees, you are welcome to contact our friendly team of medical secretaries, who will be happy to help you.
Will my medical insurance cover an online psychiatry appointment?
Medical insurance providers will cover online psychiatry appointments just as they would cover in-person appointments that take place in an office or clinic. However, we always recommend checking with your health insurance provider to make sure that they will cover your appointments with a specific psychiatrist.
Each of our psychiatrists has the providers they are insured with listed on their profile pages (link to /specialist-type/psychiatrists). Please contact your insurer before your consultation to check the terms of your policy, particularly the level and type of outpatient cover you have, including any reimbursement limits on individual consultation fees. Generally, your insurance provider will issue a pre-authorisation code to cover your appointment. Please note you are responsible for any fees not covered by your insurer.
Can I see a psychiatrist without my parent's permission?
If you are under 18 and seeking psychiatry treatment, we will follow the guidelines set out by the NHS:
Children aged 16 and 17: can seek treatment without the consent of their parents.
Children under the age of 16: are only allowed to seek treatment without the consent of their parents if they're believed to have sufficient capacity (intelligence, competence and understanding) to fully appreciate what's involved in their treatment.
However, if there is significant evidence to suggest that a child doesn’t have enough capacity (for example, if they have a learning disability) then parental consent may still be required.
Parental consent can be provided by individuals considered to have parental responsibility, including:
- The child's mother or father
- The child's legally appointed guardian
- A person with a residence order concerning the child
- A local authority designated to care for the child
- A local authority or person with an emergency protection order for the child
Is seeing an online psychiatrist confidential?
All medical professionals, including psychiatrists, are legally bound by a duty of confidentiality toward their patients, so no information will be shared without your consent. Your therapist will always request your consent and document it on the clinical notes before discussing any aspect of your care with any third parties, including your GP, other medical professionals, and even your family relatives and parents.
For more information about confidentiality, please read through the FAQ on Confidentiality and GP letters for psychiatry appointments.
Can a psychiatrist break confidentiality?
Please bear in mind that while doctors are bound by a duty of confidentiality toward their patients, they are also bound by a duty of care. If there is a potential risk to your health (for example if you are acutely unwell or have relapsed into severe addiction or have intense suicidal thoughts), your psychiatrist is responsible for ensuring you are receiving appropriate care.
If this is the case, your psychiatrist may require you to provide consent to communicate with your GP (or another third party) to ensure your safety so that they can continue holding responsibility for your psychiatric care. In these exceptional circumstances, your psychiatrist will endeavour to discuss this with you in detail and aim to reach a mutually acceptable solution that you feel comfortable with before proceeding.
For more information about confidentiality, please read through the FAQ on Confidentiality and GP letters for psychiatry appointments.
Do you have more questions?
For more information about booking psychiatry appointments, such as waiting times, fees, cancellations or confidentiality, you can look at our private psychiatry appointments page.
If you have any questions that we haven’t been able to answer, or you would prefer to speak with us directly, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today (provide contact details).
