By Dr. Barbara Benton, Medical Director, Light On Anxiety

Telepsychiatry has made high-quality mental health care more convenient than ever. Many people appreciate being able to meet with their psychiatrist from home, work, or school without adding travel time to an already busy day.

The good news? For many people, virtual psychiatric care works extremely well.

But sometimes, the best care happens in person—or through a combination of virtual and in-person visits.

So how do you know which approach is right for you?

A Quick Self-Assessment

You may be an excellent candidate for primarily virtual psychiatric care if:

✔ You’re doing well on a stable medication regimen.
✔ Your symptoms are relatively consistent.
✔ You don’t have significant medical conditions that require close monitoring.
✔ You can reliably attend video appointments in a private setting.
✔ You value convenience because of work, school, transportation, or childcare demands.

You may benefit from a hybrid approach (both virtual and in-person visits) if:

✔ You’re starting a new psychiatric medication.
✔ Your medication dose is changing.
✔ You’re taking medications that require monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, or weight.
✔ You have ongoing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
✔ You’re a child or adolescent whose growth and development should be monitored.
✔ You appreciate the flexibility of virtual visits while still wanting periodic in-person check-ins.

An in-person visit may be the best choice if:

✔ You’re experiencing dizziness, fainting, rapid heartbeat, unexplained weight changes, or other physical symptoms.
✔ Your psychiatrist wants to evaluate medication side effects such as tremors, stiffness, or unusual movements.
✔ You’re taking medications that require closer physical monitoring.
✔ Your provider feels a physical examination would help guide treatment decisions.

The good news? Most people don’t have to choose one or the other. A combination of virtual and in-person visits often provides the best balance of convenience, safety, and personalized care.

Why Do Some Psychiatric Visits Need to Be In Person?

Psychiatric medications don’t just affect the brain—they can also affect the rest of the body.

Depending on the medication, your psychiatrist may want to monitor:

• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Weight (and height for children and adolescents)
• Temperature
• Occasionally, lab work or an ECG

These simple measurements help ensure that medications remain both effective and safe.

For example, some medications can:

• Increase blood pressure or heart rate
• Cause significant weight gain or weight loss
• Affect blood sugar or cholesterol
• Cause dizziness when standing
• Rarely, trigger serious medical reactions that require prompt attention

Checking these physical health markers allows your psychiatrist to identify concerns early—often before they become serious.

When Are In-Person Visits Especially Important?

Although many follow-up appointments can be done virtually, your psychiatrist may recommend coming into the office if you’re:

Starting a New Medication

Before beginning treatment, it’s helpful to record your baseline blood pressure, heart rate, and weight so future changes can be monitored.

Taking Certain Psychiatric Medications

Some medications—including stimulants used to treat ADHD and many antipsychotic medications—require regular monitoring because they can affect weight, heart rate, blood pressure, or metabolism.

Experiencing New Physical Symptoms

If you develop dizziness, fainting, a racing heartbeat, unexplained fever, or significant weight changes, an in-person visit allows your psychiatrist to perform a focused physical assessment.

A Child or Teen

Children and adolescents are still growing, so monitoring height, weight, blood pressure, and heart rate helps ensure medications continue to be both safe and effective.

An Older Adult or Someone with Medical Conditions

People with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or multiple medications often benefit from closer monitoring.

Concerned About Medication Side Effects

Some psychiatric medications can cause tremors, muscle stiffness, restlessness, or other movement changes that are easiest to evaluate in person.

What Happens During an In-Person Psychiatric Visit?

An in-person appointment is usually very straightforward.

Your psychiatrist or clinical staff may:

• Check your blood pressure and pulse
• Measure your weight (and height for children)
• Take your temperature if indicated
• Review any medication side effects
• Perform a brief physical assessment when appropriate

Depending on your medications, your provider may also recommend periodic laboratory tests or an ECG.

The Best Care Is Personalized Care

Psychiatry is about treating the whole person—not just emotional symptoms.

That’s why your psychiatrist may occasionally recommend an in-person visit, even if most of your appointments are virtual. These visits help ensure your treatment remains safe, effective, and tailored to your individual needs.

For many people, a hybrid model—combining the convenience of telepsychiatry with periodic in-person visits—offers the best of both worlds.

The Bottom Line

Virtual psychiatric care has transformed access to mental health treatment, and for many people it’s an excellent option. But just as your mental health deserves attention, so does your physical health.

By combining thoughtful medication management with appropriate medical monitoring, your psychiatrist can help you receive care that is not only convenient—but also as safe and effective as possible.

Not sure whether virtual, in-person, or hybrid psychiatric care is right for you? Our team can help match you with the approach that best fits your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and treatment goals. At Light On Anxiety, we believe great psychiatric care should be both accessible and comprehensive—meeting you where you are while ensuring you receive the safest, highest-quality care possible.