Key takeaways
- Telehealth psychiatry is a live, interactive visit by secure video. A 2023 review of 32 randomized trials found symptom improvement similar to face-to-face care overall.
- At Better Place Now, video visits are available statewide, from major cities to rural communities. You must be physically located in Arizona at the time of the visit.
- The first visit is a full 60 minutes, with evening and weekend times offered. In-person visits in the Phoenix area are available by arrangement.
- Video is not right for every situation. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911 rather than booking a visit.
Arizona is large, and much of it is far from a psychiatric office. Telehealth changes that: a person in Flagstaff, Yuma or a small town outside Tucson can see a prescriber from home, at a time that fits around work, school or caregiving. This guide covers how it works, what the research says, and how to make a video visit a good one.
What is telehealth psychiatry?
Telehealth psychiatry, also called telepsychiatry, is psychiatric care delivered by live video. It is the same kind of visit you would have in an office: a conversation about your history, symptoms and medications, and a plan. Arizona’s telehealth law defines telehealth as the interactive use of audio, video or other electronic media, and allows audio-only visits when video is not available (Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. 36-3601 (opens in a new tab)). Email, voicemail and text messages are not counted as telehealth visits under that definition.
Does telehealth psychiatry work as well as in-person care?
For many conditions, the research says it does. A 2023 meta-analysis of 32 randomized trials, covering 3,592 participants and 11 conditions, found symptom improvement similar to face-to-face treatment. Results were better for depression and worse for eating disorders, and dropout was higher in treatment for substance misuse (Hagi et al., British Journal of Psychiatry, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). An earlier review found telemental health effective for diagnosis and assessment across populations, comparable to in-person care (Hilty et al., 2013 (opens in a new tab)). The American Psychiatric Association states that telepsychiatry is equivalent to in-person care in diagnostic accuracy, effectiveness, quality and satisfaction (APA (opens in a new tab)).
How a video visit works at Better Place Now
Step 1: Call, text, or email
Call or text 480-660-2160, or email support@betterplacenow.com. The team asks for what is needed to schedule you, without health details.
Step 2: Coverage and cost are checked
Your benefits are verified and you are told your expected copay or self-pay rate before the visit. Most replies come within one business day. See what psychiatry costs in Arizona.
Step 3: Choose a time
Same-week openings are available, and evening and weekend appointments are offered by secure video.
Step 4: Meet your provider
A full 60-minute first visit with Dr. Justin Schwarting, DNP, PMHNP-BC: your history, your medications, and a plan you choose together. Follow-up visits are 30 minutes.
Who can have a telehealth visit in Arizona?
Better Place Now sees children, teens, adults and older adults, and parents and guardians are included throughout care for minors. Secure telehealth visits are available statewide, and you must be physically located in Arizona at the time of your visit. That rule is about where you are during the appointment, not where you live: if you are travelling outside Arizona on the day, the visit needs to wait until you are back.
| Secure video | In person | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Anywhere in Arizona, from home or another private space | Phoenix area, by arrangement |
| When | Includes evening and weekend times | Scheduled with the team |
| Good for | People far from an office, busy schedules, care that fits around work, school or family | People who prefer face-to-face, or who cannot use video comfortably |
How to prepare for a video visit
The American Psychiatric Association suggests gathering your records and current prescriptions, writing down your questions, and choosing a private space with a reliable internet connection (APA (opens in a new tab)). A few practical additions:
- Test your device. Camera, microphone and speakers, ten minutes before the visit.
- Pick a private, quiet spot. If that is hard at home, a parked car or a friend’s spare room can work.
- Have your medications within reach. Bottles or a list, including supplements.
- Write down what you want to cover. The first minutes go fast.
- Ask what happens if the connection fails. Have the practice’s phone number handy so you can reach them.
What telehealth cannot do
Some things are harder by video, such as a hands-on physical exam or drawing blood. A careful provider will tell you when something is better handled in person or by your primary care doctor, and will coordinate rather than guess. Video also is not an emergency service. Scheduling requests are not monitored for emergencies.
What to expect in the first visit
The first visit looks the same on video as in person: your reasons for seeking help, your history, sleep, stress, health and daily life, and your options. For a detailed walk-through, see what to expect at your first psychiatry visit. If you are wondering who you will be seeing, read psychiatric nurse practitioner vs. psychiatrist.
When you are ready, you can request an appointment. To see how statewide coverage works, the patient care page includes a map of the Arizona communities served.
Common questions
Do I have to live in Arizona?
You must be physically located in Arizona at the time of your visit. Secure telehealth is available statewide, from major cities to rural communities.
Are evening and weekend visits available?
Yes. Evening and weekend appointments are offered by secure video. Exact timing depends on the schedule.
Is a video visit as long as an in-person visit?
Yes. The first visit is a full 60 minutes and follow-ups are 30 minutes, whether by video or in person.
Can my child or teen be seen by video?
Yes. Better Place Now works with children and teens, and parents and guardians are included throughout care for minors.
What does it cost?
Most patients use insurance and pay their normal copay or coinsurance. For self-pay patients, a 60-minute evaluation is $220 and a 30-minute follow-up is $120. Benefits and expected patient responsibility are discussed before the first appointment.
Sources
- Telepsychiatry versus face-to-face treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (opens in a new tab). Hagi et al., British Journal of Psychiatry, 2023.
- The effectiveness of telemental health: a 2013 review (opens in a new tab). Hilty et al., Telemedicine and e-Health, 2013.
- What is telepsychiatry? (opens in a new tab). American Psychiatric Association.
- A.R.S. 36-3601: Definitions (telehealth) (opens in a new tab). Arizona State Legislature.
- Finding mental health care (opens in a new tab). National Institute of Mental Health, 2026.
