Telehealth Therapy and Psychiatry Across California
BNI Clinics offers secure virtual mental health care led by the same psychiatrist-owned team behind our residential and outpatient programs. Clients can get support from home, planned around work and family schedules. Contact us to verify your insurance and learn more about our telehealth program in California.
What Is Telehealth at BNI?
A licensed BNI clinician leads every telehealth appointment via secure video, providing the same clinical standards and treatment philosophy as in-person care. Evidence-based therapies are used to address a wide range of mental health and behavioral disorders, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. Our programs are personalized, considering each client’s lifestyle and goals.
Is Telehealth Right for You?
Telehealth services are a good fit for:
- People who are struggling but safe at home
- Clients stepping down from residential or PHP who need continued support
- Individuals outside the Agoura Hills/Calabasas area
- People with busy schedules
A higher level of care may be needed if there are safety concerns, such as self-harm, or if mental health is declining rapidly. In these cases, we can assess and recommend the right level of care.
ALZHEIMER’S
BIPOLAR DISORDER
SCHIZOPHRENIA
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
MIGRAINES
EATING DISORDERS
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
OCD
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
Our Telehealth Services
Telehealth Therapy: Clients connect with a licensed therapist in a one-on-one remote setting to develop a personalized approach. We often use evidence-based practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), to help clients build coping skills for emotional regulation.
Telehealth Psychiatry: Our psychiatrists provide evaluations, medication management, and prescription renewals via secure video. Dr. Ali Alavi sees patients exclusively through telehealth, and Dr. Oliver Ahmadpour sees patients in person at our Agoura Hills clinic. Most prescriptions can be managed virtually, depending on your clinical needs and prescribing regulations. For controlled medications, an in-person visit is typically required at least once a year.
Family Involvement: Families may join therapy sessions to better understand their loved one’s condition and learn how to support them through recovery.
Conditions We Treat Virtually
Anxiety
Characterized by uncontrolled worry; in some cases, panic attacks
Depression
Prolonged periods of sadness and hopelessness, typically lasting two weeks or more
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Common characteristics include difficulty focusing, paying attention, and general restlessness
Mood Disorders
Conditions such as bipolar disorder or persistent depressive disorder that cause intense or prolonged shifts in mood.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) used to relieve the anxiety they cause.
Trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorde
Emotional issues tied to a traumatic incident
Behavioral Issues
Ongoing patterns of defiance, anger, or rule-breaking that strain relationships at home, work, or school.
Substance Use Concerns
Our psychiatrists can evaluate and treat substance use issues virtually when clinically appropriate. Patients who need medically supervised detox or a higher level of care are referred to in-person services.
Why Patients Choose BNI for Virtual Care
Psychiatrist-owned and operated
Founded by two USC-trained psychiatrists.
One team at every level of care
Your therapist and psychiatrist follow the same treatment plan, whether you’re seen in person or online.
Access to advanced treatments
When standard treatment isn’t enough, BNI offers in-person TMS and ketamine therapy without changing care teams.
How Does Telehealth Fit With In-Person Care at BNI Clinics?
Clients can attend telehealth sessions on their own or combine them with in-person services, as follows:
- Telehealth: Psychiatric assessments, therapy sessions, medication management, and prescription renewals by secure video
- In person at our Agoura Hills clinic: TMS, ketamine therapy, psychological testing, and outpatient detox
- Higher levels of care:For teens who need more support, BNI Clinics can refer to BNI Treatment Centers. Their residential, PHP, and IOP programs are for ages 12–17.
How Do You Get Started?
- Call or submit the callback form: Call our clinic directly at (310) 304-1226 or submit our online form.A member of our admissions team will contact you to discuss your treatment options.
- Insurance verification: The initial phone call may also include an insurance verification so you know what's covered before starting treatment.
- Initial assessment: Care begins with a psychiatric assessment, which can be done online or in person depending on your needs, your provider, and the type of assessment required. This helps us decide whether telehealth is a good fit.
- Tech setup and scheduling: You’ll receive an email with step-by-step instructions for joining your appointments and setting up your device. Our team is also available during regular clinic hours to help with technical questions.
- First session: During the initial meeting, your provider will learn more about your goals and begin developing a personalized treatment plan. We can adjust the plan over time as you make progress.
ALZHEIMER’S
BIPOLAR DISORDER
SCHIZOPHRENIA
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
MIGRAINES
EATING DISORDERS
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
OCD
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
What Do You Need for a Session?
To get started, you’ll need a device, a stable internet connection, and a private space. A smartphone is often enough to connect with our telehealth program.
If you don’t have reliable internet or a device, other options include low-cost home internet plans from major providers, federal and state Lifeline programs, and public libraries that lend hotspots or laptops.
With teen treatment, parents also play a role in telehealth services. They should:
- Help with tech setup before the session and give the teen a quiet, private space. Teens tend to open up more when they know what they share is confidential.
- Participate in care when required through family therapy sessions, parent check-ins, and psychiatry appointments, where parents typically take part in medication decisions for minors.
- Be available after sessions without pressing for details. Notice changes in mood or behavior and share concerns with the clinician.
- If your teen’s provider develops a safety plan, know what’s in it and when to call 988 or emergency services.
Privacy, Safety, and Crisis Support
We understand privacy and safety can be a concern. You may wonder who can access these sessions and what happens if you experience a crisis when a clinician is not in the room. Here are some measures BNI takes.
- Secure video platforms: Our providers use VSee Messenger and Doxy.me, secure platforms built to support HIPAA-compliant healthcare communication. What you share in sessions is kept confidential.
- Safety during sessions: At the start of your appointment, your clinician will confirm your current location and emergency contact so help can be reached quickly if needed. If the connection drops, your clinician will try to reconnect and follow clinic procedures to check on your safety.
- Safety planning: When clinically indicated, your provider will work with you to create a personalized safety plan.
- Support beyond telehealth: If your needs become more serious, our team can recommend the right next step, including in-person care at BNI Clinics or, for teens, our sister program BNI Treatment Centers.
Does Insurance Cover Telehealth?
Telehealth is generally covered under the same insurance plan as in-person care, though coverage, copays, and eligibility depend on your plan and the service you receive. BNI accepts most major plans. Contact us to verify your benefits before your first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions we hear most often.
Is telehealth as effective as in-person therapy?
For many clients with conditions like anxiety and depression, research shows telehealth can be as effective as in-person care. It works best for those who are safe at home and need weekly or step-down support, while teens with more serious needs may do better in person.
Can I do telehealth if we live outside Los Angeles?
Yes, we offer telehealth services for families outside Los Angeles. However, some in-person visits may be necessary, depending on the level of care needed.
Do families join sessions?
Yes, families often join sessions, and family involvement is often essential for recovery. However, we also offer individual sessions, which require privacy.
What ages do you treat through telehealth?
BNI Clinics treats children, adolescents, and adults. Whether telehealth is a good fit depends on the patient’s age and needs.
Can I switch between telehealth and in-person care?
Many patients combine both. For example, you might have medication check-ins by video and TMS or ketamine treatment at our clinic.
Can I do telehealth if we live outside Los Angeles?
Yes. We offer telehealth to patients throughout California. Some in-person visits may still be needed, such as an annual visit for controlled medications or in-clinic treatments like TMS.
Find Out If BNI's Telehealth Services Are Right For You
Want to find out if telehealth services are right for you? Schedule an assessment today. Assessments can be done online or in person to help families determine the right level of care. All sessions follow our psychiatrist-led approach and include evidence-based therapies that help you deal with emotional issues and achieve an improved quality of life.
Contact us today at (310) 691-5005 to verify your insurance and schedule an assessment.
NAVIGATION
BNI clinics provides premier psychiatric and psychological services. With beautifully appointed clinics in Agoura Hills, Los Angeles, California. BNI Clinics welcomes the opportunity to serve you or your loved one and help enhance the quality of life for years to come.
Licensed By Department of Health Services: 191401AP
If you or someone is in crisis, call or text 988
(Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7.
QUESTIONS? CALL US!
28038 Dorothy Dr, SUITE 200
Agoura Hills, CA 91301