Online Psychiatry & Mental Health Care
Be the author of your own story, not a character in someone else's.
Board certified online psychiatry for adults, without months-long waits. Whole person care for anxiety, depression, and more, from wherever you are. Same clinician over time, no controlled substances.
Already know your state is active? Skip to the waitlist.
See how it works →Where shrinkMD fits
Where shrinkMD fits in The Shrink Network
The Shrink Network helps people understand mental health before, during, and beyond care. shrinkMD is the clinical care layer of the network, where evaluation, treatment planning, and ongoing psychiatric care happen. Wherever you enter the network, we help you find the next step that makes sense.
No matter where you enter the network, we will help you find the next step that makes sense. Your mind. Understood.
Urgent care psychiatry
Serious psychiatric care, without the wait
Most people who need a psychiatrist wait weeks, sometimes months. We work to make timely care the norm rather than the exception. You'll get a thorough evaluation with a board certified clinician in days, by secure video, so you can start feeling better sooner.
- ✓Care that fits your life. You can join from home, work, or anywhere, on your phone or laptop.
- ✓Continuity that matters. You'll see the same clinician over time, not a different face every visit.
- ✓Responsible by design. We don't prescribe controlled substances like Adderall or Xanax. We start with safe, evidence based treatment that lasts.
Our approach
We treat the whole person, not just a diagnosis
We built shrinkMD on the biopsychosocial and spiritual model. It's a simple idea with real depth. Your mental health is shaped by your biology, your thoughts and emotions, your relationships and circumstances, and what gives your life meaning. Good care looks at all four, because treating only one rarely holds. Tap or hover any petal to see what that means for you.
Biological
Your brain chemistry, sleep, and medical health.
Biological
Your body sets the stage for how you feel. We look at sleep, nutrition, exercise, hormones, thyroid and other medical issues, genetics, and how any medication affects your mood. We adjust until it's truly helping.
How we handle medicationPsychological
Your thoughts, emotions, and patterns.
Psychological
Your inner world of thoughts, emotions, coping habits, and the patterns that keep returning. We help you see what's driving how you feel, whether it's a diagnosis, trauma, or a hard season, and pair it with real tools.
Explore therapy at shrinkMDSocial
Your relationships, work, and daily life.
Social
You don't exist in a vacuum. Relationships, family history, work, culture, and money shape your mental health, and it shapes them back. We pay attention to your support and your stressors, because real life is where recovery happens.
Who we serveSpiritual
Your values, purpose, and what matters most.
Spiritual
Your beliefs, values, and sense of meaning are part of who you are, and often a real strength. We never impose. We make room for what matters to you and treat it as part of healing.
The shrinkMD FrameworkHow it works
Care in days, in four simple steps
Quick intake
Tell us your history and goals through a simple, secure form. It takes minutes, from anywhere.
Schedule fast
Pick a near term appointment that fits your life. No referral, and no long waitlists.
Personalized treatment plan
Meet with your clinician for a thorough virtual evaluation, a clear diagnosis, and a plan built around you.
Ongoing support
You'll keep the same clinician, with follow ups and adjustments as life changes.
What we treat
At shrinkMD, we treat a broad range of mental health conditions, with care that's tailored to each person. Here's a look at the areas we focus on. Choose one to learn more.
Common questions
Quick answers about seeing a shrink
People ask us these every day. Here are the honest answers, from a board certified psychiatrist.
What is a shrink?
"Shrink" is an informal word for a mental health doctor, usually a psychiatrist or a psychologist. It is slang, not a medical title. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. That is the care shrinkMD provides, and yes, the name is a nod to the nickname.
Why are psychiatrists called shrinks?
The nickname comes from "headshrinker," Hollywood slang from the 1950s. The word stuck because it was shorter and friendlier than "psychiatrist." Most clinicians today take no offense. We named the practice shrinkMD because we'd rather demystify the word than run from it.
Is "shrink" offensive?
Not really, though it depends on tone. "Shrink" started as a joke, but today most psychiatrists take it in stride, and many patients say it with affection, as in "my shrink gets me." It's informal, not a slur. We put it in our name because we think the word should feel approachable rather than whispered. If you prefer "psychiatrist," that works too.
What does a shrink actually do?
A psychiatrist evaluates your symptoms, medical history, and life situation, makes a diagnosis, and builds a treatment plan. That can include medication, therapy, or both. At shrinkMD your first visit is a full 45 to 60 minute evaluation with a board certified clinician, not a 15 minute questionnaire.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who can prescribe medication. A psychologist typically holds a PhD or PsyD and provides therapy and testing but, in most states, can't prescribe. If you think medication might be part of your care, start with a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
How much does it cost to see a shrink?
Without insurance, a first psychiatric evaluation in the US typically runs $300 to $500. shrinkMD publishes every price: your first evaluation is $295 with a nurse practitioner or $395 with a psychiatrist, follow ups run $110 to $215, and the optional $49 a month membership lowers every follow up. No surprise bills.
How do I find a shrink near me?
With telepsychiatry, "near me" means licensed in your state. shrinkMD currently sees adults in Maine and Nebraska by secure video, with more states coming. You book online, meet the same clinician each visit, and never sit in a waiting room.
Transparent pricing
Clear rates, no surprises
Memberships start at $49 a month, with transparent self-pay visit pricing that's the same in every state where we practice.
Membership
Predictable, ongoing care with priority scheduling, member visit rates, and free access to our Unstuck and QuitScrolling apps. First month free, cancel anytime.
Initial Evaluation
A full evaluation, diagnosis, and personalized plan with a psychiatrist or certified nurse practitioner.
Follow Ups
Per visit or member rates for ongoing care.
Meet your psychiatrist
Care from a board certified psychiatrist who actually listens.
I'm a board certified psychiatrist, and I built shrinkMD because the way most psychiatric care works isn't working. People with treatable conditions wait months to be seen, get fifteen minute med checks, and rarely see the same clinician twice. That's a logistics failure, not psychiatry.
shrinkMD is a small, private-pay practice for adults. You meet me by secure video, in days, for a full hour evaluation. We build a real plan. You see me again, not a rotating cast. We don't prescribe controlled substances; if your situation needs them, I'll point you to the right place.
I founded The Shrink Network so good information is free and good care is reachable. Shrinkopedia explains conditions. PsychiatryRx explains medications. shrinkMD is where care happens.
Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA · Board Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN) · Founder of The Shrink Network
Read Dr. Refai's full bio →Patient reviews
Patient experiences
Individual experiences. Outcomes vary. Care is personalized to each patient.
"Dr. Refai is the absolute best! I trust him more than I've ever trusted any doctor. He's easy to talk to and doesn't shove you off. Absolutely the best I've found in all my years of living."
"Dr. Refai is the best psychiatrist I've ever had in my 30 years plus of working with psychiatrists. He actually talks with me and listens to what I'm saying. One way I can tell he listens, he keeps excellent notes. He always presents solutions that I can implement."
"Dr. Refai is outstanding! He's prompt, intelligent, and great at what he does. He's a great psychiatrist and I wish I could clone him. He's a quick study and gets me. He's a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10."
"Dr Refai always listens, then explains and helps me understand the reason behind my behavior. He suggests ways of thinking and behaving to help myself in addition to my medications. Best psychiatrist I've ever had."
"Dr. Refai is very quick to respond to questions in the portal, and his office staff is great at making sure you get seen quickly to be evaluated, so problems can be dealt with before they go too far. Thank you for all you do!"
"Dr. Refai is brilliant. He's a quick study with a high intellect. He understands why I see the world the way I do. I'd be lost without him. He's never allowed to retire!"
"The easy access to care, and the quality of care. The willingness to hear my problems, the multiple options for treatment, the easy to understand directions, and the amazing attitude and atmosphere the team provides. Top notch. You can't get any better. Well done."
"My visits are always very transparent with Dr Refai. He's very receptive to what my needs are and addresses them with me and with my medications. He always helps me understand my own mental health and how it works. He's an absolutely awesome doctor."
"I couldn't ask for a better psychiatrist than Dr. Shariq Refai. He genuinely cares about my well being and mental health."
"It's always nice to see Dr. Refai. He's thorough and respectful of my time, and he always makes sure that all of my questions and concerns are addressed."
Where we practice
Launching in Nebraska and Maine
We provide licensed telepsychiatry in the states below, with dedicated, state specific care launching first in Nebraska and Maine, and more states to follow.
Your appointments happen by secure video, from home, work, or anywhere in a state where we're licensed. You'll meet with a clinician licensed in your state, with the same continuity and warmth you'd expect from an in person practice.
Ready to feel like yourself again?
Start with a comprehensive evaluation. Most patients are seen as soon as clinician availability allows. We'll build a plan together and find the level of ongoing care that fits your life.
Get StartedAlready know your state is active? Skip to the waitlist.