Latest news with #onlinetherapy
The Guardian
29-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
I had no idea where to find help for my eating disorder. Then Australia's new e-clinic changed everything
In 2020, I decided to get help for an eating disorder. Up until that point, I'd had some variation of one for years. It all started when I decided to go on my first diet, aged 21. What followed was a half decade of cycling through maddening patterns of restriction. From bingeing to purging, starving to hardcore exercising, my mind was constantly overrun by thoughts of food. How much I was eating, how much I wasn't eating, how great of a person I was for resisting food, how much of a loser I was for not being able to control myself. My self-esteem went down the toilet, along with my ability to feel joy. By the time I was ready to seek treatment, none was available. Despite having the time and financial means to see a therapist, I couldn't get into one. Waitlists were months long. Inpatient treatment wasn't an option either – by that stage, my eating disorder wasn't considered 'severe' enough to warrant a stay. And even if it had been, I had rent to pay and a career to build. Pressing pause on all that wasn't feasible. That's when a psychologist – who didn't have space for me herself – reached out. She sent me a link to a study being run by the University of Sydney and the InsideOut Institute. They were testing an online therapy program for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. She said I'd be a good candidate. I had no idea what to expect. And whatever expectations I had were low. I wasn't convinced that an online program could make a dent in what I felt was, at that stage, a personality flaw. But I had nothing to lose. So I signed up. It was a 12-week program. Every day, I logged my meals, my thoughts and any compensatory behaviours. While that might sound like a lot, I was already constantly thinking about food and my body. Now, I was just putting it down somewhere other than my brain. At first, tracking seemed counterintuitive. Counting meals was something I did when I was deep in restriction mode. But the point was separation. I wasn't the food I did or didn't eat. My behaviour was just that: behaviour. Something that could be unlearned. Meanwhile, I had weekly check-ins with a counsellor. She was kind of like the site manager for my emotional excavation. I was slowly dismantling the scaffolding I'd built around myself, and she helped me name each bit as it fell away. The program changed my life. It kickstarted my recovery and set me on the path back to my child self – the girl who didn't obsess over what she ate. The girl who thought of food as just that. Food. Something to enjoy, to share with friends, to enrich life – not interrupt it. Last week the federal government announced it is rolling this program out to the general public. After 10 years of research, the InsideOut eClinic is now available to Australians aged 16 and over who are struggling with food or body image concerns. It's a free, online clinic that anyone can access at any time. You don't need a diagnosis. You don't need a referral. You can just go to the website and have a poke around. The eClinic includes tailored programs like BEeT (for binge eating and bulimia), SkillED (for broader symptoms) and SupportED (for carers). There's a health professional hub for clinicians. When I was unwell, I had absolutely no idea where to start looking for help. This eClinic is a much-needed safety net. You can complete the programs at your own pace, from wherever you are. It's not suitable for people in a medical emergency or psychological crisis – they'll still need face-to-face care – but for many people, this will be a lifeline. Research has already shown how effective online therapy through the eClinic can be. And it's a gamechanger for people who live regionally or can't afford private treatment. Eating disorder research in this country is sorely lacking and deeply underfunded. It's a dire reality, considering eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness in Australia. More than a million Australians are now living with one. In 2023 alone, more than 1,200 people died from an eating disorder, according to the Butterfly Foundation. Hundreds of thousands are still stuck in silence, still waiting, still falling through the cracks. The fact that the government has seen the merit in this treatment is significant. It's time we moved the dial. Lucinda Price is an author and comedian known online as Froomes. She is an InsideOut Institute eClinic ambassador In Australia, the Butterfly Foundation is at 1800 33 4673. In the UK, Beat can be contacted on 0808-801-0677. In the US, help is available at or by calling ANAD's eating disorders hotline at 800-375-7767. Other international helplines can be found at Eating Disorder Hope
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Best Online Therapy (2025): Talkiatry Recognized as Top Virtual Mental Health Platform by Expert Consumers
Talkiatry has been named the top virtual mental health platform of 2025 by NEW YORK CITY, May 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of changing mental health care dynamics and increased demand for accessible psychiatric services, Talkiatry has been named the top virtual mental health platform of 2025 by This announcement highlights Talkiatry's role in redefining online mental health delivery through a medical-first approach, streamlined virtual access, and integration with leading insurance providers. Best Online Therapy Platform: Talkiatry - The platform's clear focus on quality, backed by expert-led care and reliable virtual presence, positions it as a leader in the field. The acknowledgment follows a detailed, criteria-based review conducted by Expert Consumers, a digital authority on product and service reviews across a range of industries. The annual report, 'Best Online Therapy (2025),' evaluated virtual therapy services based on clinical integrity, accessibility, platform usability, and insurance compatibility. Among all platforms assessed, Talkiatry stood out for its focused delivery of psychiatric care rather than general counseling services alone. Responding to a Nationwide Shift in Mental Health Needs The designation of Talkiatry as a leading virtual mental health platform reflects a broader industry shift toward medical-grade mental health services delivered remotely. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 20% of U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Traditional healthcare systems often struggle to meet this need, citing long wait times, geographic shortages of providers, and logistical barriers as ongoing challenges. In fact, a 2023 report by General Hospital Psychiatry highlighted that median wait times for in-person and telepsychiatry appointments in the US were 67 days and 43 days. Moreover, areas had fewer local mental health resources available compared to urban areas. Talkiatry's telepsychiatry model directly addresses these pain points by offering accessible care that connects patients with board-certified psychiatrists without the limitations of location or scheduling. Its platform allows individuals to undergo psychiatric diagnosis, receive medication management, and engage in follow-up care entirely online. Platform Overview: Design Rooted in Psychiatry Unlike therapy-first platforms that focus on talk therapy or life coaching, Talkiatry focuses on the psychiatric space. All services are designed to provide medically sound treatment for individuals dealing with mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, and other complex conditions that often require clinical oversight. Upon entering the platform, patients complete an intake assessment that collects relevant medical history and symptom information. This data informs the clinician-matching process, allowing the company to connect patients with appropriate providers based on their specific needs. Once matched, patients engage in secure video consultations where licensed professionals evaluate conditions and recommend appropriate treatment plans, which may include medication. Talkiatry's emphasis on continuity of care is evident in its follow-up structure, which includes regular check-ins, prescription management, and care plan adjustments as needed. Talk therapy is offered to existing patients to help create a comprehensive care program. Insurance Accessibility Remains Central to the Model One of Talkiatry's most notable operational features is its alignment with major insurance networks. By contracting with insurance providers such as Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, the platform makes psychiatric services available to a wider population. Expert Consumers noted this element as a critical differentiator in the online therapy space, where many platforms remain limited to out-of-pocket payment models. Talkiatry streamlines the insurance verification process and handles claims administration, thereby reducing administrative burdens on patients. This insurance-backed model allows more individuals to seek help without the financial strain often associated with long-term mental health treatment. As rising healthcare costs continue to deter many from pursuing psychiatric care, Talkiatry's in-network care makes care more widely affordable. Conditions Treated Reflect a Comprehensive Clinical Scope Talkiatry's clinicians are licensed to treat a range of mental health disorders, extending services beyond basic stress management or occasional therapy. The conditions addressed through the platform include Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In addition, treatment is available for both adults and children over age five, positioning Talkiatry as a platform capable of serving entire families under one care model. Each condition is managed by established clinical guidelines, with providers staying informed through ongoing professional development and adherence to best practices in psychiatry. Virtual Mental Health in the Broader Healthcare Landscape The growth of virtual psychiatry is part of a larger digital health transformation. According to a 2024 report by the American Telemedicine Association, telehealth adoption has increased by more than 40% since 2020, with mental health services leading the category. Talkiatry's model aligns with these trends by merging healthcare delivery with technological efficiency. Its emphasis on secure digital communication, HIPAA compliance, and integrated scheduling systems illustrates how virtual psychiatry can meet rising demand without compromising on quality or professionalism. As health systems across the country continue to integrate telehealth as a core part of their service delivery, platforms like Talkiatry are setting the precedent for what virtual care can achieve. From decreasing hospitalization rates to improving medication adherence, the impact of structured telepsychiatry models is being recognized at both the clinical and policy levels. Industry Recognition and Future Outlook The announcement by Expert Consumers marks a significant moment for Talkiatry as it continues to expand its services and reach. The recognition not only affirms Talkiatry's existing contributions but also reflects growing confidence in the value of remote psychiatric care. Market analysts note that investment in mental health technologies has remained steady, even amid fluctuations in broader health tech funding. With mental health spending projected to increase through 2026, platforms that demonstrate both clinical efficacy and operational scalability, like Talkiatry, are well-positioned to lead the next phase of mental healthcare delivery. In parallel, state and federal policymakers have indicated continued support for telehealth-friendly regulations, including reimbursement parity and licensure reciprocity. These changes are likely to further solidify the role of virtual platforms in mainstream mental health services. The complete review detailing why Talkiatry was chosen as the top platform for online therapy in 2025 can be read at the Expert Consumers website. About Expert Consumers: Expert Consumers provides news and reviews of consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Expert Consumers may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided. CONTACT: Drew Thomas (press@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
08-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New online course offered in Sask. designed to help new and expecting parents through challenging times
WATCH: The province is teaming up with the University of Regina to offer a new online therapy course to help new parents. Jacob Carr explains.
CTV News
08-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Online therapy course offered to new parents
Regina Watch WATCH: The province is teaming up with the University of Regina to offer a new online therapy course to help new parents. Jacob Carr explains.
