People from all over the world contact me for online doctor consultations. They or their loved ones have different problems. Anxiety, ADD, oppositional defiance, OCD, RAD, autism, and depression are some of those problems. They want to know if can I help them using a natural approach without their coming to see me in Portland, Oregon. Do I offer telehealth services for mental health? The short answer is, sometimes, yes! Insurance may or may not cover it. And I have certain restrictions on how I can help, for sure. But telemedicine is the wave of the future, and may be a good approach for many people. What does this process look like?
Telemedicine services or telepsychiatry is like having an in-person appointment. We can have our appointment on the phone or via HIPAA-compliant video. For most of the diagnoses and/or symptoms I listed above, telemedicine works great. You schedule an appointment and fill out the paperwork. I review the paperwork before the appointment. I have you get labs based on the Walsh Protocol to find what the imbalance may be. Any imbalance found allows me to treat with supplements.
Telemedicine services are a great option for many patients. Most of my patients don’t live in places that have access to alternative providers. And my approach is truly unique. I have seen amazing progress with patients using “just” nutrient therapy. It’s not just taking a bunch of random supplements. It’s a targeted approach to balancing out the body. The combination of the intake paperwork and labs helps me determine the right supplements. In general, we do follow-up appointments every 4-6 weeks, depending upon the case, to make sure you are progressing well.
There are many things, though, that I cannot treat using telemedicine without another doctor’s help. In these cases, I can act as a health consultant. Any time a physical exam is required, you will need to visit your local physician. For example, many digestive ailments need a physical exam and/or imaging for proper diagnosis. While I can assist with naturopathic treatments using telemedicine services, I likely couldn’t diagnose. Some patients may also need neurofeedback or other services. These require a trip to my office or seeing a local provider. In some cases, I can give a referral depending upon where you live.
Also, sometimes other natural therapies are required to treat the problem. In this case, I have other approaches such as biotherapeutic drainage and botanical medicine to assist you.
Find out more about telehealth services for mental health and whether they are right for you or your family member. Call my office today.
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