Can Talkiatry prescribe controlled substances?

The short answer is that it depends on your state’s laws. All our psychiatrists (and all psychiatrists in general) are medical doctors. This means that they can prescribe any medications they believe are appropriate for your care. That’s simple.

Where it gets more complicated is with state laws. Certain states require you to have an in-person visit with your doctor before they can prescribe controlled substances. Since we’re a virtual practice, we can’t always meet this requirement.  

The most common controlled substances used in psychiatry are benzodiazepines (like Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, or Valium) and stimulants (like Adderall or Ritalin). In order to be prescribed any of these by a Talkiatry psychiatrist:

1. They have to believe these medications are appropriate for you after they provide an initial evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan. (If you’re interested in setting up a visit, start with our online assessment.)

2. Your state’s laws need to allow doctors to prescribe controlled substances without an in-person visit.  

If you’re currently taking a controlled substance, there’s no guarantee your Talkiatry clinician will agree with your past doctors on your condition or on the treatment plan you’re currently on. As medical practitioners, our doctors must provide their own examinations to determine what they recommend for you.