The Telepsychiatry Advantage Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:00:00 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2603615 en-us © 2026 The Telepsychiatry Advantage yes c1470284-0198-50c1-b045-16815d336372 operations@orbithealth.com Orbit Health episodic false The Telepsychiatry Advantage is a podcast for clinicians who want a clear, practical understanding of how telepsychiatry actually works. As more care moves online, the show breaks down the real considerations behind it—who it works for, where it doesn’t, how to handle risk, what regulations matter, and how to deliver care effectively through a screen. Each episode focuses on what you need to know to make better decisions and avoid common mistakes in a rapidly changing environment.


Your host is Dr. Edward Kaftarian, the founder of Orbit Health, the longest-running telepsychiatry company in the world. He received his psychiatry training at the renowned Johns Hopkins University and holds board certifications in Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Orbit Health operations@orbithealth.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/j0rf169s2lv17il8zoi66cq2rq3r?.jpg The Telepsychiatry Advantage https://www.buzzsprout.com/2603615 The Surprisingly-Long History of Telepsychiatry (Before The Internet) The Surprisingly-Long History of Telepsychiatry (Before The Internet) Telepsychiatry did NOT start during the pandemic. Heck, it didn’t even start with the internet.

Actually, remote medicine is more than a hundred years old, and modern telepsychiatry dates back to the 1960s.

The reason people have kept pushing telemedicine forward is the same reason it still matters today: geography can stand between a patient and the care they need. Someone in a rural community may live hours from the right specialist. A hospital may need expertise that simply is not available nearby. Remote care became a way to close that distance instead of asking patients to go without.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian traces back the history of telemedicine: doctors using telegraphs and telephones to reach patients from a distance, the first psychiatric video programs in Nebraska, early hospital experiments, and the decades of technological breakthroughs that eventually made virtual care mainstream.

Dr. Kaftarian walks through how we got here, why telepsychiatry took so long to catch on, and why the original promise of remote care still matters today.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Telepsychiatry did NOT start during the pandemic. Heck, it didn’t even start with the internet.

Actually, remote medicine is more than a hundred years old, and modern telepsychiatry dates back to the 1960s.

The reason people have kept pushing telemedicine forward is the same reason it still matters today: geography can stand between a patient and the care they need. Someone in a rural community may live hours from the right specialist. A hospital may need expertise that simply is not available nearby. Remote care became a way to close that distance instead of asking patients to go without.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian traces back the history of telemedicine: doctors using telegraphs and telephones to reach patients from a distance, the first psychiatric video programs in Nebraska, early hospital experiments, and the decades of technological breakthroughs that eventually made virtual care mainstream.

Dr. Kaftarian walks through how we got here, why telepsychiatry took so long to catch on, and why the original promise of remote care still matters today.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19824558 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 17:00:00 -0700 1590 full false Substance Use Disorders In Telepsychiatry: How To Treat Patients (Part 2) Substance Use Disorders In Telepsychiatry: How To Treat Patients (Part 2) Treating substance use disorders through telepsychiatry is not just a matter of moving the same office visit onto a screen.

These patients may be dealing with cravings, withdrawal, relapse, shame, unstable housing, limited transportation, or a recovery environment that makes treatment harder to sustain. So the question is not just what medication or therapy might help. It is how clinicians can keep patients engaged long enough for treatment to work.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down how clinicians can treat substance use disorders through telepsychiatry. Opioid use disorder, alcohol, nicotine, stimulants, cannabis, benzodiazepines — he covers it all in this episode.

This is Part 2 of the substance use disorder series. Part 1 focused on assessment. This episode focuses on treatment — what to do next, how to keep patients connected, and even when telepsychiatry needs support from in-person resources.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Treating substance use disorders through telepsychiatry is not just a matter of moving the same office visit onto a screen.

These patients may be dealing with cravings, withdrawal, relapse, shame, unstable housing, limited transportation, or a recovery environment that makes treatment harder to sustain. So the question is not just what medication or therapy might help. It is how clinicians can keep patients engaged long enough for treatment to work.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down how clinicians can treat substance use disorders through telepsychiatry. Opioid use disorder, alcohol, nicotine, stimulants, cannabis, benzodiazepines — he covers it all in this episode.

This is Part 2 of the substance use disorder series. Part 1 focused on assessment. This episode focuses on treatment — what to do next, how to keep patients connected, and even when telepsychiatry needs support from in-person resources.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Buzzsprout-19786980 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:00 -0700 1975 1 18 full false Substance Use Disorders In Telepsychiatry: How To Assess Risk (Part 1) Substance Use Disorders In Telepsychiatry: How To Assess Risk (Part 1) Drug overdoses have killed more Americans than every major U.S. war combined That is the scale of the substance use crisis in this country. 

And for many of the patients most affected — people in rural areas, people with unstable housing, people without reliable transportation, and people who already struggle to access care — telepsychiatry may be one of the most important ways to help them.

But assessing substance use disorders through a screen comes with challenges. A patient may appear stable on video while hiding intoxication, withdrawal, overdose risk, suicidality, or an unsafe environment lingers just outside the frame.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains how clinicians should assess substance use risk in a telepsychiatry visit: what to ask first, what warning signs to look for, why patient location matters, how the home environment can reveal risk, and when telehealth needs support from in-person resources.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Drug overdoses have killed more Americans than every major U.S. war combined That is the scale of the substance use crisis in this country. 

And for many of the patients most affected — people in rural areas, people with unstable housing, people without reliable transportation, and people who already struggle to access care — telepsychiatry may be one of the most important ways to help them.

But assessing substance use disorders through a screen comes with challenges. A patient may appear stable on video while hiding intoxication, withdrawal, overdose risk, suicidality, or an unsafe environment lingers just outside the frame.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains how clinicians should assess substance use risk in a telepsychiatry visit: what to ask first, what warning signs to look for, why patient location matters, how the home environment can reveal risk, and when telehealth needs support from in-person resources.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19751769 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:00:00 -0700 1999 1 17 full false How To De-Escalate Angry Patients in Telepsychiatry (Before It Spirals) How To De-Escalate Angry Patients in Telepsychiatry (Before It Spirals) Some patient encounters stay with you forever.

A patient gets angry. The conversation stops in its tracks. Logic does not work anymore. The tone changes. Suddenly, the appointment is escalating before the clinician can get it back under control.

In telepsychiatry, that moment can feel even more overwhelming because the clinician is not physically in the room. The only tools available may be your words, your voice, your face, your pacing, and your ability to recognize what is happening before the visit spirals.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down how clinicians can de-escalate angry patients in a virtual setting. He goes skill-by-skill through what the best psychiatrists do to lower the temperature, preserve safety, and keep the appointment moving forward.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Some patient encounters stay with you forever.

A patient gets angry. The conversation stops in its tracks. Logic does not work anymore. The tone changes. Suddenly, the appointment is escalating before the clinician can get it back under control.

In telepsychiatry, that moment can feel even more overwhelming because the clinician is not physically in the room. The only tools available may be your words, your voice, your face, your pacing, and your ability to recognize what is happening before the visit spirals.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down how clinicians can de-escalate angry patients in a virtual setting. He goes skill-by-skill through what the best psychiatrists do to lower the temperature, preserve safety, and keep the appointment moving forward.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19713362 Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0700 1546 1 16 full false Telepsychiatry For Psychotic Patients: What The Evidence Shows Telepsychiatry For Psychotic Patients: What The Evidence Shows A common objection to telepsychiatry is that it simply doesn’t work for patients with psychosis. The concern was that patients might feel paranoid on camera, refuse to engage, or become more symptomatic because the visit was happening through a screen. 

But is that actually what the evidence shows? Not even close. 

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian looks at the research behind telepsychiatry for patients with psychosis and schizophrenia, and explains why clinicians should be careful not to rule out virtual care based on flat-out wrong assumptions.

The episode also gets into the practical side of treating psychotic patients through telepsychiatry: how to respond when a patient is uncomfortable, why access sometimes matters more than a perfect setup, and why the doctor-patient relationship still matters more than the camera.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

Research articles referenced in the video:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4132656/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23428781/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3101132/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1744-859X-10-14

https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e59540/authors

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28550756/

https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.177901


]]> A common objection to telepsychiatry is that it simply doesn’t work for patients with psychosis. The concern was that patients might feel paranoid on camera, refuse to engage, or become more symptomatic because the visit was happening through a screen. 

But is that actually what the evidence shows? Not even close. 

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian looks at the research behind telepsychiatry for patients with psychosis and schizophrenia, and explains why clinicians should be careful not to rule out virtual care based on flat-out wrong assumptions.

The episode also gets into the practical side of treating psychotic patients through telepsychiatry: how to respond when a patient is uncomfortable, why access sometimes matters more than a perfect setup, and why the doctor-patient relationship still matters more than the camera.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

Research articles referenced in the video:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4132656/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23428781/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3101132/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1744-859X-10-14

https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e59540/authors

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28550756/

https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.177901


]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19643879 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0700 1630 1 15 full false How to Make Telepsychiatry Work For Elderly Patients How to Make Telepsychiatry Work For Elderly Patients The elderly population in America has nearly doubled since 1960, and by 2030, about 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older.

That means more elderly patients are going to need mental health care. But the number of geriatric psychiatrists is not growing fast enough to meet that demand. So whether a clinician specializes in geriatrics or not, they are going to see more elderly patients — in assisted living, nursing facilities, emergency departments, and at home.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains why telepsychiatry can help close that gap BUT only if clinicians understand how to make it work for older adults.

Elderly patients may not be digital natives. They may get frustrated with technology faster. They may need simpler questions, a slower pace, more pauses, clearer routines, and a visit that feels easy to follow from the start.

That is the essence of this episode: how clinicians can remove the barriers that make virtual care harder for elderly patients and create a telepsychiatry visit that feels clear, calm, and accessible.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> The elderly population in America has nearly doubled since 1960, and by 2030, about 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older.

That means more elderly patients are going to need mental health care. But the number of geriatric psychiatrists is not growing fast enough to meet that demand. So whether a clinician specializes in geriatrics or not, they are going to see more elderly patients — in assisted living, nursing facilities, emergency departments, and at home.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains why telepsychiatry can help close that gap BUT only if clinicians understand how to make it work for older adults.

Elderly patients may not be digital natives. They may get frustrated with technology faster. They may need simpler questions, a slower pace, more pauses, clearer routines, and a visit that feels easy to follow from the start.

That is the essence of this episode: how clinicians can remove the barriers that make virtual care harder for elderly patients and create a telepsychiatry visit that feels clear, calm, and accessible.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19611195 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:00:00 -0700 1476 1 14 full false How To Choose the Right Telepsychiatry Company to Join How To Choose the Right Telepsychiatry Company to Join Choosing a telepsychiatry company to join is a major decision. Pick something that's not a good fit, and now you have some real problems. 

The issue is, it's often hard to know. The company might look good on paper, but once you are inside, the red flags can start showing up fast: poor support, bad partners, rigid schedules, unfair contracts, high turnover, or a company that treats clinicians like a commodity instead of part of a team.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down what psychiatrists and mental health clinicians should look for before joining a telepsychiatry company — and what warning signs should make them ask more questions before signing on.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Choosing a telepsychiatry company to join is a major decision. Pick something that's not a good fit, and now you have some real problems. 

The issue is, it's often hard to know. The company might look good on paper, but once you are inside, the red flags can start showing up fast: poor support, bad partners, rigid schedules, unfair contracts, high turnover, or a company that treats clinicians like a commodity instead of part of a team.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down what psychiatrists and mental health clinicians should look for before joining a telepsychiatry company — and what warning signs should make them ask more questions before signing on.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19576245 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:00:00 -0700 1073 1 13 full false The Traits of Best-In-Class Telepsychiatrists The Traits of Best-In-Class Telepsychiatrists What separates a good telepsychiatrist from a best-in-class one?

It is not just credentials, experience, or being comfortable on video. The best clinicians know how to make patients feel heard through a screen, how to stay steady when the appointment gets complicated, and how to bring the same professionalism to virtual care that they would bring to any clinical setting.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains about what “best-in-class” really means in telepsychiatry—and why the strongest clinicians are not just technically skilled, but thoughtful, prepared, and easy to trust.

Because great telepsychiatry is not just about showing up online, it's also about raising the standard of care once you are there.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> What separates a good telepsychiatrist from a best-in-class one?

It is not just credentials, experience, or being comfortable on video. The best clinicians know how to make patients feel heard through a screen, how to stay steady when the appointment gets complicated, and how to bring the same professionalism to virtual care that they would bring to any clinical setting.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains about what “best-in-class” really means in telepsychiatry—and why the strongest clinicians are not just technically skilled, but thoughtful, prepared, and easy to trust.

Because great telepsychiatry is not just about showing up online, it's also about raising the standard of care once you are there.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19533612 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0700 1457 1 12 full false How To Completely Ruin a Telepsychiatry Appointment How To Completely Ruin a Telepsychiatry Appointment Want to make sure a patient never wants to book a telepsychiatry appointment with you again?

Then this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage is for you. Dr. Edward Kaftarian walks through what the worst version of a virtual psychiatry visit looks like — the kind that makes patients feel ignored, uncomfortable, distracted, or unsure if the clinician is even present with them.

It’s a fun look at how telepsychiatry can go wrong, but the point underneath is serious. The virtual environment is your clinic, and the way a clinician shows up on camera can either support the therapeutic alliance or ruin it before the real clinical work even begins.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Want to make sure a patient never wants to book a telepsychiatry appointment with you again?

Then this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage is for you. Dr. Edward Kaftarian walks through what the worst version of a virtual psychiatry visit looks like — the kind that makes patients feel ignored, uncomfortable, distracted, or unsure if the clinician is even present with them.

It’s a fun look at how telepsychiatry can go wrong, but the point underneath is serious. The virtual environment is your clinic, and the way a clinician shows up on camera can either support the therapeutic alliance or ruin it before the real clinical work even begins.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19437132 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0700 565 1 11 full false 5 Biggest Mistakes Telepsychiatrists Make That Hurt Patient Care 5 Biggest Mistakes Telepsychiatrists Make That Hurt Patient Care Telepsychiatry gives clinicians more flexibility to meet patients where they are. But that flexibility can also create more room for small mistakes that quietly hurt the relationship with the patient.

Poor eye contact, a noisy or unprofessional setting, delayed documentation — unfortunately, mistakes like these happen too often in virtual care. And while they may seem minor in the moment, they can make patients feel less heard, less protected, or less confident in the care they are receiving.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down five of the biggest mistakes telepsychiatrists make that get in the way of delivering great care — and what clinicians should do instead.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Telepsychiatry gives clinicians more flexibility to meet patients where they are. But that flexibility can also create more room for small mistakes that quietly hurt the relationship with the patient.

Poor eye contact, a noisy or unprofessional setting, delayed documentation — unfortunately, mistakes like these happen too often in virtual care. And while they may seem minor in the moment, they can make patients feel less heard, less protected, or less confident in the care they are receiving.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down five of the biggest mistakes telepsychiatrists make that get in the way of delivering great care — and what clinicians should do instead.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19396760 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0700 1156 1 10 full false Ryan Haight Act: How New DEA Rules Could Impact Telepsychiatry (Part 4) Ryan Haight Act: How New DEA Rules Could Impact Telepsychiatry (Part 4) Prescribing controlled substances through telepsychiatry requires more than knowing the law. It requires knowing how to evaluate risk, read what is happening on camera, and maintain the same clinical standard you would bring to an in-person visit.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage—and part 3 of our Ryan Haight Act series—Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains why the screen does not lower the bar, especially when it comes to medications with safety risks, abuse potential, or diversion concerns.

The episode gets into what clinicians should be watching for during a video visit—signs of intoxication, withdrawal, sedation, cognitive slowing, inconsistent stories, early refill requests, and other red flags that may change how you prescribe or monitor. Dr. Kaftarian also discusses the role of PDMP checks, collateral information, drug screens, documentation, and functional outcomes when deciding whether a controlled medication is truly helping the patient.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Prescribing controlled substances through telepsychiatry requires more than knowing the law. It requires knowing how to evaluate risk, read what is happening on camera, and maintain the same clinical standard you would bring to an in-person visit.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage—and part 3 of our Ryan Haight Act series—Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains why the screen does not lower the bar, especially when it comes to medications with safety risks, abuse potential, or diversion concerns.

The episode gets into what clinicians should be watching for during a video visit—signs of intoxication, withdrawal, sedation, cognitive slowing, inconsistent stories, early refill requests, and other red flags that may change how you prescribe or monitor. Dr. Kaftarian also discusses the role of PDMP checks, collateral information, drug screens, documentation, and functional outcomes when deciding whether a controlled medication is truly helping the patient.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19367309 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0700 827 1 9 full false Ryan Haight Act: How To Safely Prescribe Controlled Substances in Telepsychiatry (Part 3) Ryan Haight Act: How To Safely Prescribe Controlled Substances in Telepsychiatry (Part 3) Prescribing controlled substances through telepsychiatry requires more than knowing the law. It requires knowing how to evaluate risk, read what is happening on camera, and maintain the same clinical standard you would bring to an in-person visit.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage—and part 3 of our Ryan Haight Act series—Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains why the screen does not lower the bar, especially when it comes to medications with safety risks, abuse potential, or diversion concerns.

The episode gets into what clinicians should be watching for during a video visit—signs of intoxication, withdrawal, sedation, cognitive slowing, inconsistent stories, early refill requests, and other red flags that may change how you prescribe or monitor. Dr. Kaftarian also discusses the role of PDMP checks, collateral information, drug screens, documentation, and functional outcomes when deciding whether a controlled medication is truly helping the patient.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Prescribing controlled substances through telepsychiatry requires more than knowing the law. It requires knowing how to evaluate risk, read what is happening on camera, and maintain the same clinical standard you would bring to an in-person visit.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage—and part 3 of our Ryan Haight Act series—Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains why the screen does not lower the bar, especially when it comes to medications with safety risks, abuse potential, or diversion concerns.

The episode gets into what clinicians should be watching for during a video visit—signs of intoxication, withdrawal, sedation, cognitive slowing, inconsistent stories, early refill requests, and other red flags that may change how you prescribe or monitor. Dr. Kaftarian also discusses the role of PDMP checks, collateral information, drug screens, documentation, and functional outcomes when deciding whether a controlled medication is truly helping the patient.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19331545 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0700 2525 1 8 full false Ryan Haight Act: What Happens When Telemedicine Flexibilities End? (Part 2) Ryan Haight Act: What Happens When Telemedicine Flexibilities End? (Part 2) The entire telemedicine industry has one date on its mind: December 31, 2026. That’s when the current telemedicine prescribing flexibilities are set to expire, creating what many in the field now call the “telemedicine cliff.”

These flexibilities were created during the pandemic and allowed many clinicians to prescribe controlled substances remotely without an initial in-person visit. If they expire without a clear replacement, patients could lose access to medications overnight.

The telepsychiatry industry can and will change depending on what the government decides to do next. In part two of our Ryan Haight Act series, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains what’s going on, tries to read the “tea leaves” the DEA is leaving, and walks through what psychiatrists should be thinking about before the deadline arrives.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> The entire telemedicine industry has one date on its mind: December 31, 2026. That’s when the current telemedicine prescribing flexibilities are set to expire, creating what many in the field now call the “telemedicine cliff.”

These flexibilities were created during the pandemic and allowed many clinicians to prescribe controlled substances remotely without an initial in-person visit. If they expire without a clear replacement, patients could lose access to medications overnight.

The telepsychiatry industry can and will change depending on what the government decides to do next. In part two of our Ryan Haight Act series, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains what’s going on, tries to read the “tea leaves” the DEA is leaving, and walks through what psychiatrists should be thinking about before the deadline arrives.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19250128 Wed, 27 May 2026 13:00:00 -0700 632 1 7 full false Ryan Haight Act: The Law That Changed Telepsychiatry (Part 1) Ryan Haight Act: The Law That Changed Telepsychiatry (Part 1) The Ryan Haight Act is one of the most important laws in modern telepsychiatry, especially when it comes to prescribing controlled substances remotely. Nearly every conversation around telemedicine care eventually leads back to this legislation and the events that led to its creation.

The law emerged during a chaotic period in the early internet era, when rogue online pharmacies were distributing highly addictive medications with almost no real medical oversight. What followed was a tragedy that changed telemedicine forever and led regulators to fundamentally reshape how controlled substances could be prescribed remotely.

In part one of this special four-part series, Dr. Edward Kaftarian recounts the story that led to the Ryan Haight Act. He also gets into what the law actually does, including the baseline in-person requirement and the seven telemedicine exceptions written into it.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> The Ryan Haight Act is one of the most important laws in modern telepsychiatry, especially when it comes to prescribing controlled substances remotely. Nearly every conversation around telemedicine care eventually leads back to this legislation and the events that led to its creation.

The law emerged during a chaotic period in the early internet era, when rogue online pharmacies were distributing highly addictive medications with almost no real medical oversight. What followed was a tragedy that changed telemedicine forever and led regulators to fundamentally reshape how controlled substances could be prescribed remotely.

In part one of this special four-part series, Dr. Edward Kaftarian recounts the story that led to the Ryan Haight Act. He also gets into what the law actually does, including the baseline in-person requirement and the seven telemedicine exceptions written into it.

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19210994 Wed, 20 May 2026 12:00:00 -0700 647 1 6 full false 3 Ways AI Is Making Psychiatry Better 3 Ways AI Is Making Psychiatry Better AI is one of the biggest conversations happening in the world right now, and healthcare is no exception. Some clinicians are excited about what AI could make possible. Others are understandably worried about what it could mean for the future of the profession and the doctor-patient relationship.

First things first: we don’t think AI is here to take the job of psychiatrists. We think the opposite. Used correctly, AI can improve the way psychiatrists work and give clinicians more time to focus on patients directly.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains three practical ways AI is already beginning to improve telepsychiatry — from reducing documentation overload to freeing up time.

Here at Orbit Health, we offer some AI tools to our clinicians. To learn more about what we do, visit us at: https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> AI is one of the biggest conversations happening in the world right now, and healthcare is no exception. Some clinicians are excited about what AI could make possible. Others are understandably worried about what it could mean for the future of the profession and the doctor-patient relationship.

First things first: we don’t think AI is here to take the job of psychiatrists. We think the opposite. Used correctly, AI can improve the way psychiatrists work and give clinicians more time to focus on patients directly.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian explains three practical ways AI is already beginning to improve telepsychiatry — from reducing documentation overload to freeing up time.

Here at Orbit Health, we offer some AI tools to our clinicians. To learn more about what we do, visit us at: https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19172670 Wed, 13 May 2026 14:00:00 -0700 796 1 5 full false How To Make Telepsychiatry Work With Younger Patients How To Make Telepsychiatry Work With Younger Patients Telepsychiatry with children and adolescents comes with a different set of challenges. Younger patients may be distracted, restless, reluctant to talk, or more interested in what’s happening around them than what’s happening on screen. But with the right approach, those challenges can become opportunities.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian talks about how to connect with younger patients virtually by meeting them where they are. That might mean using their interests to start a conversation, letting them introduce a pet, using games or whiteboard tools, building in movement, or working with parents to keep the session grounded without making it feel forced. This episode is packed with examples that Dr. Kaftarian has seen work firsthand.

He also explains how the home environment can give clinicians information they may never get in an office — from family dynamics and background noise to the child’s room, routines, privacy, and attention patterns.

Yes, treating children and adolescents online comes with unique challenges, but it is NOT harder when psychiatrists are prepared. With the right approach, telepsychiatry can be really effective with younger patients. That's what this episode is all about!

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Telepsychiatry with children and adolescents comes with a different set of challenges. Younger patients may be distracted, restless, reluctant to talk, or more interested in what’s happening around them than what’s happening on screen. But with the right approach, those challenges can become opportunities.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian talks about how to connect with younger patients virtually by meeting them where they are. That might mean using their interests to start a conversation, letting them introduce a pet, using games or whiteboard tools, building in movement, or working with parents to keep the session grounded without making it feel forced. This episode is packed with examples that Dr. Kaftarian has seen work firsthand.

He also explains how the home environment can give clinicians information they may never get in an office — from family dynamics and background noise to the child’s room, routines, privacy, and attention patterns.

Yes, treating children and adolescents online comes with unique challenges, but it is NOT harder when psychiatrists are prepared. With the right approach, telepsychiatry can be really effective with younger patients. That's what this episode is all about!

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19136333 Wed, 06 May 2026 14:00:00 -0700 1461 1 4 full false Best Tips To Manage Crises In Telepsychiatry Best Tips To Manage Crises In Telepsychiatry Managing a psychiatric crisis online is not the same as managing one in person. If a patient is manic, psychotic, intoxicated, or in danger of self-harm, good clinical instincts still matter—but they are not enough on their own.

he patient may be in another city. They may be in another state. They may hang up. Calling 911 may not send help to the right place. And in that moment, the clinician cannot afford to be thinking about what to do next.

That is why crisis care in telepsychiatry has to begin BEFORE the emergency itself. In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down the pieces clinicians need in place ahead of time — patient location, emergency contacts, local response options, and a clear plan for what happens if the session escalates.

He also gets into the clinical side of the moment itself: recognizing when a routine appointment has turned urgent, assessing risk, and knowing when safety has to take priority.

It's an important episode with a lot of nuance so make sure you listen all the way through!

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Managing a psychiatric crisis online is not the same as managing one in person. If a patient is manic, psychotic, intoxicated, or in danger of self-harm, good clinical instincts still matter—but they are not enough on their own.

he patient may be in another city. They may be in another state. They may hang up. Calling 911 may not send help to the right place. And in that moment, the clinician cannot afford to be thinking about what to do next.

That is why crisis care in telepsychiatry has to begin BEFORE the emergency itself. In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down the pieces clinicians need in place ahead of time — patient location, emergency contacts, local response options, and a clear plan for what happens if the session escalates.

He also gets into the clinical side of the moment itself: recognizing when a routine appointment has turned urgent, assessing risk, and knowing when safety has to take priority.

It's an important episode with a lot of nuance so make sure you listen all the way through!

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19097233 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0700 1003 1 3 full false How To Create a Professional Telepsychiatry Setup That Builds Patient Trust How To Create a Professional Telepsychiatry Setup That Builds Patient Trust First impressions in telepsychiatry aren’t made when you start speaking—they’re made the moment your video turns on. And for many clinicians, that first impression is working against them.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down how your virtual setup shapes patient trust before a single word is spoken. Poor lighting that hides your expressions, camera angles that feel disengaged or even condescending, and audio issues that hurt interpretation—these small mistakes quietly erode rapport and impact the entire session.

This episode walks through how to fix those problems from the jump so your setup supports the interaction instead of undermining it. Dr. Kaftarian shares his best tips and recommendations on camera, lighting, audio, and more!

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> First impressions in telepsychiatry aren’t made when you start speaking—they’re made the moment your video turns on. And for many clinicians, that first impression is working against them.

In this episode of The Telepsychiatry Advantage, Dr. Edward Kaftarian breaks down how your virtual setup shapes patient trust before a single word is spoken. Poor lighting that hides your expressions, camera angles that feel disengaged or even condescending, and audio issues that hurt interpretation—these small mistakes quietly erode rapport and impact the entire session.

This episode walks through how to fix those problems from the jump so your setup supports the interaction instead of undermining it. Dr. Kaftarian shares his best tips and recommendations on camera, lighting, audio, and more!

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19059129 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0700 947 1 2 full false Getting Started In Telepsychiatry! Here's What Actually Matters Getting Started In Telepsychiatry! Here's What Actually Matters Telepsychiatry isn't just a "nice to have" alternative anymore—for many patients, it’s becoming the default.

The field is seeing more patients, more clinicians, and more sessions. The issue is that information on how to actually deliver high-quality care using telepsychiatry has NOT kept up. Many clinicians are still relying on outdated practices, which frankly, don't work as well as they could. 

That's why I've created The Telepsychiatry Advantage! 

A podcast where I'll be sharing EVERYTHING I've learned about this industry over my career—no gatekeeping here. I’ll be pulling the most up-to-date research with real-world experience to break down what actually works in practice and, just as importantly, what doesn’t.

This is our debut episode, but we'll be here every week with new content. Be sure to subscribe so you can stay up to speed with best practices, avoid common issues, and stay sharp as the field continues to evolve!

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Telepsychiatry isn't just a "nice to have" alternative anymore—for many patients, it’s becoming the default.

The field is seeing more patients, more clinicians, and more sessions. The issue is that information on how to actually deliver high-quality care using telepsychiatry has NOT kept up. Many clinicians are still relying on outdated practices, which frankly, don't work as well as they could. 

That's why I've created The Telepsychiatry Advantage! 

A podcast where I'll be sharing EVERYTHING I've learned about this industry over my career—no gatekeeping here. I’ll be pulling the most up-to-date research with real-world experience to break down what actually works in practice and, just as importantly, what doesn’t.

This is our debut episode, but we'll be here every week with new content. Be sure to subscribe so you can stay up to speed with best practices, avoid common issues, and stay sharp as the field continues to evolve!

For more information about Orbit Health, visit us at:
https://www.orbithealth.com/

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the podcast are  Dr. Kaftarian's personal opinions regarding best practices and are not intended to establish or represent the standard of care. It remains the responsibility of each listener to ensure compliance with all applicable standards of care, laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

]]> Orbit Health Buzzsprout-19014705 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0700 355 1 1 full false