Arlington, Virginia
Depression Treatment in Arlington
Arlington holds clearances at dinner parties and bills by the hour in between, and both halves share the same fear: that a diagnosis in a database follows you through every reinvestigation and reference check. So the 4 a.m. wakeups get managed with discipline, and discipline is running out. That's depression talking, and it responds to treatment. shrinkMD brings evidence based depression care to Arlington as soon as availability allows, by secure video, with progress measured at every visit.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed July 7, 2026 · Editorial policy
Already know your state is active? Skip to the waitlist.
Why shrinkMD
shrinkMD in Arlington, on your terms
The structural answer: no insurance billing, so no claims data exists anywhere; records that move only with your written authorization; and current security guidance that treats voluntary care as the responsible choice, untreated conditions are the actual risk.
Appointments fit federal and consulting calendars, early before the Pentagon lots fill, lunch blocks, evenings, by video from Clarendon, Crystal City, or a parked car off the GW Parkway.
What's included
Depression care that compounds
Depression maintains itself through a loop, less activity, fewer rewards, lower mood, less activity, and effective treatment attacks the loop from every side at once. Medication lifts the floor, typically within four to six weeks. Behavioral activation restarts momentum in five minute increments. Therapy, where indicated, rebuilds the thinking patterns depression distorts.
We track your PHQ-9 at every follow up so the trend is visible to both of us, and we adjust until the numbers and your life agree. Once recovered, treatment continues for the months that protect against relapse, and you leave maintenance with a written plan: your warning signs, your responses, and exactly when to call. Recovery is the goal; staying recovered is the standard.
Keep exploring
Care and next steps in Arlington
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
How does treatment interact with a security clearance, honestly?
Current adjudicative guidance focuses on impairing, untreated conditions and explicitly favors voluntary care. Structurally with us, no insurance claim ever exists, and records move only with your authorization.
Can appointments fit a federal schedule?
Yes, early mornings, lunch blocks, and evenings, with 15 to 30 minute follow ups that start on time.
How do I know it's depression and not burnout?
Burnout lifts with rest and distance from its cause; depression follows you everywhere. The evaluation tells them apart, and the treatments differ.
Can I do treatment if I can barely get off the couch?
That's exactly who video care is for: 15 to 30 minute visits from wherever you are, and a plan built for the energy depression leaves you, not the energy it takes.
What if I'm having thoughts of suicide?
Call or text 988 now, that line exists for this exact moment. Then let treatment start, because depression this heavy is still treatable, and you should not carry it alone.
About Arlington
With about 240,000 people, Arlington is a community we're glad to serve. It's a dense Northern Virginia community directly across the Potomac from Washington DC and home to the Pentagon. We care for federal employees, defense and government professionals, and DC commuters.
Serving Arlington
Across Arlington, from Ballston, Crystal City, and Pentagon City, residents can meet a board-certified psychiatrist by secure video with shrinkMD. Arlington is an urban county across the Potomac from Washington, DC, so virtual care means no drive and no waiting room, just steady follow-up with one clinician.
What it costs
Transparent, published pricing
Our self-pay prices are the same in every state where we practice. No insurance billing, and no surprise statement later.
| Service | Self-pay price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Initial evaluation | From $295 | A full 50 to 60 minute evaluation, diagnosis, and written plan. |
| Follow-up visits | $110 to $215 | Per visit, depending on length and complexity. Member rates are lower. |
| Membership (optional) | $49 per month | Priority scheduling, member rates, and the Unstuck and QuitScrolling apps. First month free. |
Your care team
Who you will see
Your care is delivered by shrinkMD clinicians, and you keep the same one over time. You meet by secure video with a clinician licensed in your state.
- Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, founder and board certified psychiatrist (ABPN), dual board certified in psychiatry and in sports and performance psychiatry.
- Matthew George, PMHNP-BC, ANP-BC, dual board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with more than two decades of clinical experience.
Helpful guides to read next
- seasonal affective disorder
- types, symptoms, and treatment of depression
- the hidden signs of depression
More from a trusted source: Depression - National Institute of Mental Health.
Nearby areas
Depression Treatment in nearby Virginia cities
Your next step in The Shrink Network
You are here: shrinkMD, the clinical care layer of The Shrink Network.
Each site in the network has one job. No matter where you enter, we help you find the next step that makes sense.
Get clinical care with shrinkMD
Want to understand more first?
Start depression treatment in Arlington
Call 1-877-747-4656 now, appointments are available as soon as availability allows for Arlington residents, by secure video from home.
Get StartedAlready know your state is active? Skip to the waitlist.