The Beat

Live at HLTH: Democratizing Therapy with Telemental Health—featuring Dr. Varun Choudhary

Episode Summary

On this episode, Dr. Choudhary joins host Dr. Guatam Gulati to explain the concept of asynchronous text-based therapy and explore the benefits of building a relationship with a therapist online. Dr. Choudhary discusses the root causes of the mental health crisis in our country, describing how rates of depression and anxiety skyrocketed during the pandemic and why telepsychiatry remains popular while other forms of telehealth are in decline.

Episode Notes

We have come to understand the importance of mental wellness in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Nevertheless, many of us don’t have access to traditional therapy, or we’re hesitant to visit a psychiatrist’s office. And a growing number of people are looking to online therapy as an alternative.

 

But can you build strong relationship with a therapist virtually? What does quality mental health care look like in a digital landscape?

 

Dr. Varun Choudhary is a Board-Certified Forensic Psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Talkspace, a leading virtual behavioral health company that offers convenient and affordable access to a fully credentialed network of highly qualified mental health providers.
 

Dr. Choudhary has 17 years of experience in behavioral health, providing care to patients in the public sector, correctional arena, private practice and community-based settings. He is a specialist in the realm of teletherapy, population health and collaborative care.
 

On this episode, Dr.  Choudhary joins host Dr. Guatam Gulati to explain the concept of asynchronous text-based therapy and explore the benefits of building a relationship with a therapist online.

 

Dr. Choudhary discusses the root causes of the mental health crisis in our country, describing how rates of depression and anxiety skyrocketed during the pandemic and why telepsychiatry remains popular while other forms of telehealth are in decline.

 

Listen in for Dr. Choudhary’s insight on the future of telemental health care and learn how online therapy like Talkspace is democratizing mental wellness around the world.
 

Topics Covered


 

Connect with Dr. Varun Choudhary

Talkspace

Dr. Choudhary on LinkedIn


 

Connect with Dr. Guatam Gulati

HLTH

Dr. Gulati on Twitter

Dr. Gulati on LinkedIn


 

Resources

‘A Study of Asynchronous Mobile-Enabled SMS Text Psychotherapy’ in Telemedicine and e-Health

Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health by Thomas Insel, MD

KFF/CNN Survey on Mental Health in America

Ryan Haight Act

Magellan Health

COVID-19 and Mental Health

Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek H. Murthy, MD