Board certified online psychiatry · Opening soon
Real psychiatry, without the wait.
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. We're not accepting patients yet. Join the waitlist and we'll tell you the day we open where you live.
First evaluation $295 with a nurse practitioner or $395 with a psychiatrist. Optional membership $49/month. Same clinician over time. See full pricing.
"From the very first session, he created a safe, welcoming environment where I truly felt heard and understood... Every session leaves me feeling supported, encouraged, and more hopeful than when I walked in."
Verified patient review of our founder's care
Not sure if shrinkMD is right for you? See who we are (and aren't) for. Are you a clinician? Refer a patient.
See how it works →Board certified online psychiatry for adults
How care works at shrinkMD: full 45 to 60 minute evaluations, medication management, and whole person follow-up with the same clinician every visit. Cash-pay, transparent pricing, no controlled substances.
Is shrinkMD right for you?
We're honest about who we're for, and who we're not.
Probably a good fit if
- You're 18 or older in Maine or Nebraska
- You want a real 45 to 60 minute first evaluation
- You want the same clinician at every visit
- You're comfortable with cash-pay pricing
- You need care for depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, insomnia, PMDD, postpartum, or stable psychotic conditions
Probably NOT a fit if
- You need controlled substances (stimulants, benzodiazepines)
- You're in a psychiatric emergency (call 988)
- You need child or adolescent care (adults only)
- You're in a state we haven't opened yet
- You need Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medicaid billing
Read the full "who we are (and aren't) for" or use our care-finder if we're not the right fit.
Why patients choose shrinkMD
Seven honest reasons, no marketing gloss
Days, not months. Timely access without insurance credentialing delays.
Same clinician every visit. No rotating panel. The person who evaluated you follows up with you.
45 to 60 minute first visit. Real evaluation, not a 15-minute med check.
Published pricing. $295 or $395 first visit. $110 to $215 follow-ups. No surprise bills.
No insurance games. Cash-pay by design. Superbill available for out-of-network reimbursement.
No controlled substances. Safer prescribing standards. Not right for everyone, and we say so.
Physician-led. Founded by a board-certified psychiatrist who directs clinical standards.
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.
How to find psychiatric care
If you're deciding where to start, here are your real options
shrinkMD is one of five paths, and it isn't right for everyone. If you're comparing options, this is the honest menu.
For common depression and anxiety, your PCP can often prescribe first-line medication. Fastest and often lowest cost if you have an established primary care relationship.
If medication isn't the fit or you want talk therapy first. Find one through Psychology Today or your insurance panel.
If you have psychiatric coverage and don't mind waits or in-person visits. Best for insurance-first patients.
Cash-pay telepsychiatry in Maine and Nebraska. Best if you want continuity with the same psychiatrist, transparent pricing, and no controlled substances.
shrinkMD is scheduled outpatient care, not emergency care. If you're in danger, call 911 or the nearest ER.
Founder disclosure: Dr. Shariq Refai founded shrinkMD and The Shrink Network. We show this menu on every page suggesting clinical evaluation because you deserve to know your options.
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 is opening in Maine and Nebraska first, with more states coming. Join the waitlist, and once intake opens you'll meet the same clinician each visit, with no 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
Verified patient reviews of our founder.
"My mental health is very important to me. I appreciate that my thoughts and questions are considered when discussing treatment and medications."
"High degree of professionalism and collaboration rather than just throwing out suggestions without actually valuing my opinion."
"Provider cares about you as a person not just your diagnosis."
"The time taken to explore and adjust my medication in hopes of improving my mental health."
"I have been with my doctor now for 6 years, I think he hears me and cares about me and my mental health."
"Great provider. Easy to use and great video quality."
"Provider is very knowledgeable and attentive."
"Doctor listened and was friendly."
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 be seen by a psychiatrist who has time for you?
We're opening in Maine and Nebraska. Join the waitlist and we'll reach out when intake opens in your state. First evaluation $295 (NP) or $395 (psychiatrist). Same clinician over time. No controlled substances.
Join the waitlistAre you a clinician? Refer a patient.