St Petersburg, Florida
Depression Treatment in St Petersburg
St. Pete has reinvented itself, but psychiatric access has not kept up: Pinellas waitlists run long, half the specialists are across the bay, and the bridge is its own appointment. Whether you are a retiree tired of being handed another pamphlet, a service worker on Central Avenue hours, or a remote worker who moved for the sunshine and brought the anxiety along, waiting months for care is the local default we exist to break. That's depression talking, and it responds to treatment. shrinkMD brings evidence based depression care to St Petersburg 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
Why St Petersburg chooses shrinkMD
Our visits happen by video anywhere in Pinellas, from a Kenwood bungalow to a condo near the pier, at hours that respect restaurant shifts and gallery weekends. No Howard Frankland, no parking, no waiting room.
Many of our St. Pete patients are retirees, and we make the technology easy: tap a link, and if anything goes sideways we finish by phone. We do not bill Medicare or any insurance, fees are flat and published, and HSA, FSA, and superbills are all supported.
What's included
What depression treatment includes
Treatment begins with a full evaluation, because depression has imitators, thyroid disease, sleep apnea, anemia, and the bipolar low that makes antidepressants alone risky, and each one redirects the plan. We confirm what this is, then combine what the evidence ranks highest: antidepressant medication matched to your trial history, behavioral activation scaled to the energy you actually have, and structured therapy where it multiplies results.
Your PHQ-9 score is tracked at every visit, so improvement shows on paper within weeks. Follow ups run every two to four weeks while we tune, then space out. Expect energy to return before mood, that's the normal sequence, and expect a written relapse prevention plan once you're well, because staying well is the actual goal.
Keep exploring
Care and next steps in St Petersburg
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
I am retired and not technical. Is video care realistic for me?
Very. If you can tap a link in a text or email, you can do this, and our team will walk you through the first connection by phone. Most retirees tell us it beats the office within two visits.
Do I have to cross the bay for anything?
No. Evaluation, follow ups, prescriptions to your Pinellas pharmacy, and coordination with your local doctors all happen without a bridge.
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 St Petersburg
With about 258,000 residents, St Petersburg is a community we're glad to serve. It's a major Tampa Bay city served by several large hospitals. We care for retirees, working families, and hospital staff.
Serving St Petersburg
Across St Petersburg, from Beach Drive, the St. Pete Pier, and Central Avenue, residents can meet a board-certified psychiatrist by secure video with shrinkMD. St Petersburg is a waterfront city on the Pinellas peninsula at Tampa Bay, 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
More from a trusted source: Depression - National Institute of Mental Health.
Nearby areas
Depression Treatment in nearby Florida 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 St Petersburg
Call 1-877-747-4656 now, appointments are available as soon as availability allows for St Petersburg residents, by secure video from home.
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