Houston, Texas
Depression Treatment in Houston
Houston has the world's largest medical center and still quotes months for a psychiatric appointment, while the city's real schedules, plant turnarounds, hospital nights, energy desks, run right past office hours. Add distances that make Katy to anywhere a half day project, and care keeps losing to logistics. That's depression talking, and it responds to treatment. shrinkMD brings evidence based depression care to Houston 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
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Why shrinkMD
Made to fit life in Houston
Video deletes the logistics: visits from the Heights, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, or a parked truck at the plant gate, with post shift mornings and evening slots as standard issue, and turnaround season treated as a calendar fact.
No insurance billing keeps everything off employer plans, which energy and medical professionals consistently tell us is what got them through the door. Flat fees first, same clinician throughout.
What's included
From flat to forward
The first visit establishes what we're actually treating, depression's severity and subtype, any seasonal pattern, and the medical or bipolar mimics that change everything, plus your full medication history with doses, durations, and responses. Treatment then starts immediately: a thoughtfully chosen antidepressant when indicated, an activity plan built for low fuel days, and therapy folded in where it strengthens the result.
Follow ups every two to four weeks measure your scores and adjust the plan while the medication takes hold, energy usually moves first, mood follows, most often within four to six weeks. As you recover, visits space out and the focus shifts to prevention: consolidating sleep, protecting the habits that lifted you, and writing the relapse plan that keeps the next episode from ever getting traction.
Keep exploring
Care and next steps in Houston
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Can plant and refinery rotations really fit treatment?
Yes. Rotations are scheduling inputs, follow ups run 15 to 30 minutes, and the sleep disruption turnarounds cause is treated as part of the condition.
Why not just use the Medical Center?
It is extraordinary and booked. We see you within days, keep one clinician throughout, and coordinate with your Houston doctors with your permission.
Will I be on medication forever?
Often no. Many patients treat for a defined period after recovery, then taper with a plan. Some conditions warrant longer treatment, and we're honest about which is which.
How long until depression treatment works?
Typically two to six weeks for medication, with energy improving before mood. We track scores at every visit so neither of us is guessing.
What if antidepressants have failed me before?
Bring the history, names, doses, durations, responses. Past trials are a map, not a verdict, and structured re evaluation often finds the path earlier prescribers missed.
About Houston
Houston is home to more than 2.3 million people, the most populous city in Texas. It's a major metro and home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world. Our patients here range across healthcare and energy workers, professionals, and a large, diverse population of working families.
Serving Houston
Care should reach every corner of Houston. As the largest city in Texas, just inland from the Gulf coast, Houston stretches from Hermann Park, downtown, and Montrose, and shrinkMD brings board-certified telepsychiatry to all of it by secure video, with the same psychiatrist over time.
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.
Learn more
More from a trusted source: Depression - National Institute of Mental Health.
Nearby areas
Depression Treatment in nearby Texas 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 Houston
Call 1-877-747-4656 now, appointments are available as soon as availability allows for Houston residents, by secure video from home.
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