Telepsychiatry can sound futuristic if you’ve never tried it, but the concept is simple: you meet with your psychiatric provider over secure video instead of in a physical office. Same evaluation. Same clinical rigor. Same prescribing authority. Just more convenient for you.
At Brady Psychiatry, telepsychiatry isn’t an alternative we offer alongside in-person visits. It’s how the entire practice is built. Montana Brady, PMHNP, designed it this way intentionally, because he believes that where you live in Kansas shouldn’t determine the quality of psychiatric care you can access.
Here’s how the whole process works, from scheduling to treatment.
Scheduling Your Appointment
Booking is available 24/7 through SimplePractice, our online scheduling platform. You pick a time slot that works for your life, not the other way around. Brady Psychiatry offers appointments Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. central standard time. If those hours don’t work, reach out directly and we’ll try to accommodate you.
Most new patients can get their first appointment within one to two weeks. Compare that to the months-long waitlists common at traditional psychiatry offices across Kansas, and the advantage is clear.
The Technology
We use SimplePractice for video sessions. It’s a HIPAA-compliant platform used by healthcare providers nationwide. Here’s what that means for you:
- Your sessions are encrypted and private. No one can access your appointment except you and Montana.
- You can join from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. All you need is a camera, a microphone, and a stable internet connection.
- You’ll receive a secure link before your appointment. Click it at your scheduled time and you’re in.
If technology isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry. We can walk you through the setup before your first appointment. The last thing we want is for a tech issue to stand between you and getting help.
What Happens During a Telepsychiatry Session
The clinical experience is the same as an in-person visit. Your first appointment is a 40-minute evaluation where Montana gets to know you, your symptoms, your history, and your goals. He asks the same questions, performs the same clinical assessment, and has the same prescribing authority as any in-office psychiatric provider.
Follow-up appointments are typically 20 minutes and focus on how treatment is working, whether medications need adjustment, and what’s changed since your last visit.
The only difference is the setting. Instead of sitting in a waiting room, you’re at home. Instead of driving across town, you’re opening your laptop. For many patients, this actually makes appointments more productive because they’re more relaxed in their own space.
What Telepsychiatry Can and Can’t Do
Telepsychiatry covers the vast majority of psychiatric care:
- Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and diagnosis.
- Medication prescribing, monitoring, and adjustment.
- Psychotherapy delivered during sessions.
- Treatment planning and care coordination with your other providers.
- Crisis assessment and safety planning (for immediate emergencies, call 911 or 988).
What it can’t do: physical exams, lab draws, or in-person procedures. If Montana determines you need a physical workup (such as thyroid testing to rule out a medical cause for your symptoms), he’ll coordinate with your primary care provider or recommend a local resource.
Is Telepsychiatry as Effective as In-Person Care?
Yes. This isn’t opinion; it’s backed by research. Multiple studies have shown that telepsychiatry produces outcomes equivalent to in-person care for depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions. The American Psychiatric Association supports its use, and insurance companies increasingly cover it at the same rate as office visits.
In some ways, telepsychiatry is better. Patients attend appointments more consistently when they don’t have to travel. They’re more comfortable in familiar surroundings. And for people with conditions like social anxiety, agoraphobia, or panic disorder, removing the office visit barrier can make the difference between getting care and going without it.
Who Can Use Telepsychiatry in Kansas
Brady Psychiatry serves patients ages 5 and up across the entire state of Kansas. Whether you’re in Wichita, Topeka, Lawrence, Johnson County, or a rural community hours from the nearest psychiatrist’s office, you have the same access to care.
The only requirement is that you’re physically located in Kansas at the time of your appointment, since Montana is licensed in the state of Kansas. Beyond that, all you need is internet access and a private space.
Insurance and Cost
Most major insurance plans cover telepsychiatry at the same rate as in-person visits. Brady Psychiatry accepts Medicare, Medicaid, BCBS Kansas, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Molina, Tricare, Oscar Health, Sunflower Health Plan, Community Care, and more. Self-pay rates are available if you don’t have insurance or prefer to pay out of pocket.
Your coverage is verified during the scheduling process, so there are no surprises.
Getting Started
If you’ve been putting off psychiatric care because of long wait times, distance from a provider, or the hassle of office visits, telepsychiatry removes those barriers. The care is real. The provider is an expert. The only thing that’s different is you don’t have to leave your house.
