Tele-medicine is the provision of health care remotely through the use of technology. Telehealth psychiatry is a method to provide a range of services including:

• Evaluation
• Therapies
• Individual
• Group
• Family
• Education
• Medication management

​Although it uses video-based electronics, telehealth psychiatry involves direct care between the psychiatrist and patient. Telehealth is a live interactive method for a doctor to provide needed mental health service to remote patients. It can also be used to transmit medical information to other consultants.

• Brings accessibility to rural areas
• The care is brought directly to the patient
• Incorporates mental health care along with primary medical services
• Allows for continual follow-up services
• Reduces barriers like transportation, child care, etc.
• Provides a confidential and convenient service

Telehealth psychiatry provides a needed service in what might otherwise be an underserved area due to access  or safety concerns. It is a cost effective method to offer aid to patients in privacy. The psychiatrist must be licensed in the states they are working, and can only provide care for patients in those states.
It is used in a number of different settings:

• Military
• Nursing homes
• Correctional facilities
• Schools
• Nursing Homes
• Clinics and hospitals

Experts estimate that 1/8 emergency room visits require a psychiatric intervention. Electronic Psychiatry visits can help evaluate the patient and offer treatment options. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities use telehealth psychiatry appointments to provide mental health treatment without compromising accessibility. Those in jail and prison can now also receive valuable psychiatric treatments for ongoing mental issues.

For the ordinary individual, they will schedule an appointment for a video appointment. However, it is suggested that, if at all possible, the patient should be prepared for an in-person appointment. The individual should have all relevant information, medical records, medications, and other materials readily accessible.  
Research is showing that telehealth psychiatry visits are equivalent to in-person appointments. Diagnoses are just as accurate, treatments are as effective, and patients show a high degree of satisfaction. Privacy and confidentiality are still maintained to standards or greater.

For people with severe anxiety disorders or those with mobility issues, remote treatments have proven highly beneficial. 
 
When considering a telehealth psychiatry appointment, it is important to find a secure place for your appointment. The psychiatric team will be responsible for their location. Be sure to verify the software works and you have a working internet connection. While many devices and operating systems offer secure software, not all do.

Transference is the shift of emotional involvement from one entity (person) to another.  This is usually focused on one important person in the patient's life to another.  Commonly it happens when the patient expresses feelings toward the therapist instead of to someone else (like a parent, significant other, etc.).  Although it is primarily the shift of emotions from one person to another, it could also involve an inanimate object. 
 
An example might be a person whose parent was critical of the patient's actions as a child or even as an adult.  If the therapist makes some remark that the patient interprets as judgmental, the patient becomes angry at the therapist, applying the emotions the patient would like to express to the parent.
 
In theory this can happen in everyday activities.  For instance, the formation of an unlikely friendship based on a perception of the other party to a close family member.  Like a person who treats a boss like a parent because of a physical or, more likely, emotional response. 
 
In therapeutic situations, transference can occur both positively and negatively.  Positive would be when a patient assumes the therapist has a specific characteristic, like wisdom.  Under normal circumstances, this will work to the therapist's benefit in being able to influence a change in behavior.  Negative is if the patient becomes angry with or suspicious of the therapist. 
 
Sexual transference occurs when the patient applies a romantic fantasy to the relationship between the therapist and the patient.  This can expand into sexual fantasies, which can become more intense and problematic.
 
When a therapist recognizes transference, he or she will use approved methods to point out the transference to the patient.  This includes the terminology (words used to describe the transference), relationship between the therapist and the client, and level of trust.  The therapist may consider this an opportunity to discuss the dynamics of a relationship.  However, if the transference begins to indicate a threat, either through anger or sexual interest, the therapist will carefully but completely manage the situation.
 
There are names for the more common types of transference.

• Paternal – When the client looks to another person as a father figure either idealized or as a position of power or protection.
• Maternal – When the patient treats another person as a mother figure for nurture and comfort.
• Sibling – In the absence of a parental relationship, this comes forward as a team-based relationship.
• Non-familial – This is when the client views a profession in an idealized manner.  Examples include a surgeon that never makes a mistake, a business owner who would never embezzle, or a pastor who would never sin.
• Sexualized – As mentioned previously, this is when a patient forms an unwarranted attraction to the therapist that can become detrimental to the therapist-patient relationship and the progress of the client.

 
Transference is when an individual redirects strong emotion from one person to another.  This is generally an unconscious process and often stems from childhood relationships or activities.

Experienced psychiatrists and counselors can recognize transference if it happens between patient and therapist and reduce or help reverse its effect on your therapeutic relationship with them. 

​Emotional Intelligence can be learned and developed through the application of specific strategies. 

• Reactions – How do you react to other people?  Think about your biases (we all have them).  Do you prejudge before you have all the information?  When you try to empathize, put yourself in their position.  You may be more able to accept their ideas and actions.
• Work – While it is nice to be humble about your accomplishments, you can still be confident in your ability to continue to produce good output in quality and speed.  Your confidence will reflect your ability to continue.  There is no need to brag.  Be sure to give credit to others when due; if it was a team effort, name them.
• Weaknesses – Everyone has downsides.  Recognize them in yourself.  If it is something you can change, do.  If not simply admit you are not perfect.
• Stress – Everyone deals with stress in their own ways.  Sometimes we get angry or blame others.  Sometimes it is no one's fault; it just happens.  Attempting to stay as calm as possible is a benefit to all around you.
• Responsibility – Assuming responsibility for your own actions is a sign of maturity.  If you have wronged someone, apologize honestly. 
• Actions – Think through your actions, especially those that will affect others.  If you follow the “golden rule,” you will make the best decision.

 
People who understand themselves have a high degree of emotional intelligence.  The more realistic we are about ourselves, strengths and weaknesses, the better we are able to empathize and manage our relationships with other people.  
 
Employers are paying more attention to EQ in their hiring and promotions.  They are seeking people who are:

• Self Aware – They are willing to be honest with themselves and work on target areas to improve.  It is important to recognize limitations and where we can best help others.
• Self Regulated – These people have great impulse control.  They have emotions but don't let them get out of control.  They think through a situation, especially a difficult one, to make the best decision possible.  They are comfortable with change; they have integrity; they are able to say no when appropriate.
• Motivated – They can see the big picture.  They are not concerned with immediate success but can recognize the long game and wait for results.  They are productive and enjoy a challenge.
• Empathetic – They are able to understand the feelings of others and act appropriately.  They are good listeners.
• Socially Active – They are easy to talk with and have good manners and ability to fit into different types of groups.  They have successful relationships with others in many different walks of life.

 
If you are interested in becoming more successful especially in business relationships, perhaps you should consider improving your EQ.  It will take some work but will be worth it in the long run for both your employment status and for your own well being.
Your therapist or psychiatrist can also give you tips on how to develop these skills for daily use. 

Many of us will experience a form of loss at some point in our life, and grief is a normal reaction to any kind of loss.  Bereavement is a type of grief which involves the death of a loved one. Both bereavement and grief will give you a range of feelings, from sadness to anger or numbness.  Grief counseling can help.
 
There are different processes on how to adapt and cope with significant loss, and the process can vary from person to person. This depends on various factors, including a person's background, beliefs, and how they were related to or connected to the person that was lost.
 
While we are experiencing grief, it is good to have support from someone that can empathize with your feelings. That is where grief counseling can play a significant role.  But what is grief counseling and is it as helpful as people say it is?
 
Read on!
 
What is Grief Counseling?
Grief counseling is a form of psychotherapy to help people cope with losses of any form, may it be a loss of a loved one, divorce or separation, losing a job, home, or any number of other things.
 
This is different from bereavement counseling, which is psychotherapy to help people that cope with losses specifically to the death of a loved one. Grief counseling is a larger umbrella that tackles different forms of losses.
 
What Does Grief Counseling Do?
Grief counseling isn't an immediate fix, but it can help significantly as you go through the different stages of complicated feelings of grief. You can move through the common stages of grief with proper support and start the healthy healing process.
 
Grief counselors have studied and developed strategies for the stages of grief and techniques to help people move on in healthy ways while mourning their loss. Here are some of the common goals of grief counseling:

• Accept the reality of the loss
• Identify and deal with any trauma experienced
• Talk freely about the loss, may it be the job, loved one, among other things that may have been lost
• Experience and express emotions freely
• Overcome any feelings of guilt
• Cope with life changes
• Dealing with complicated grief
• To build a healthy support system

 
Grief counseling won't have you forget who/what you lost or bypass the painful feeling of loss, nor does it change who you are. It simply helps you through the painful process to help you heal as you go.
 
Grief Counseling Techniques
There are different steps and techniques taken during grief counseling, including:

• Talking privately in a peaceful and quiet area
• Describing the exact moment of the loss
• Discussing the funeral arrangements and plans made after the loss
• Using correct words
• Check for any signs of depression
• Talk about any losses experienced in the past
• Writing letters, journaling, and creating memory books
• Art therapy and/or reading assignments
• Visualizing resolutions of any unfinished businesses and the "Empty Chair" technique
• Roleplaying new solutions
• Having remembrance rituals
• Giving the patience the time to grieve without the feeling of guilt, weakness, or selfishness

 
Wrapping It Up
Grief counseling is a healthy way to deal with any emotions related to grief. Not many people know about the stages of grief they go through, which can make the loss painful and hard to bear. Through counseling, you can navigate through your feelings and find healthy ways to cope, heal, and open your eyes to a better tomorrow.
 
If you feel like grief counseling can help you, do find a reputable grief counselor you can see today. You can also share your experiences and insights on seeing grief counseling below, I appreciate all of your thoughts.