Free tool
Do you actually need a psychiatrist?
Seven quick questions. At the end you get an honest recommendation about whether a psychiatrist is the right next step for you, or whether your primary-care doctor, a therapist, or something else fits better. Written by a psychiatrist. No sign-up. Nothing saved unless you save it.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Last reviewed August 27, 2026 · Editorial policy
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Why this exists
Written by a psychiatrist, not a marketing quiz
Most "do you need therapy" quizzes on the internet exist to sell you something. This one exists because the honest answer for a lot of people is "you do not need us, and here is where you actually need to go." Dr. Refai wrote the logic himself.
Honest routing
Five real options: your PCP, a therapist, an in-network psychiatrist, shrinkMD, or 988. Whichever fits your situation.
See the full 5-option guide →Not a diagnostic tool
This does not diagnose you. It helps you think about what kind of clinician can help, given what is going on.
What a real psychiatric evaluation looks like →Nothing saved unless you save it
Your answers stay in your browser. If you want to email yourself the result at the end, that is optional.
Website privacy policy →How the tool works
What the seven questions do
The walkthrough asks about your primary symptom, how long it has been going on, how much it is affecting your life, whether you have tried medication or therapy before, whether you are safe right now, and where you live. It then applies a small set of physician-designed rules to sort you into the most reasonable next step.
The logic is not perfect. It cannot replace a clinician who actually talks with you. But it will tell you honestly when you are probably better off starting with your PCP, when a therapist is the higher-value first move, when a psychiatrist is genuinely the right step, and when the answer is to call 988. It will also tell you when shrinkMD is not a fit for you, which is unusual language for a website that runs a psychiatric practice.
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is this a diagnosis?
No. It is a decision walkthrough. Diagnosis requires a licensed clinician talking with you. This tool helps you decide which kind of clinician to see.
Who wrote the routing logic?
Dr. Shariq Refai, board-certified psychiatrist and founder of shrinkMD. The rules mirror how a psychiatrist thinks about triaging new patients.
Is my data saved?
No, unless you specifically choose to email yourself the result at the end. Everything stays in your browser until then. Nothing is written to any server without your consent.
Why does the tool sometimes tell me not to use shrinkMD?
Because we are not the right practice for everyone. If you need controlled substances (like stimulants for ADHD), in-person care, or care in a state we do not cover, the tool tells you plainly and points you where to go instead.
Does this replace talking to a doctor?
No. It supplements. Use the result to have a better conversation with whichever clinician you end up seeing.
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?
Sources
Sources and further reading
Care in Maine and Nebraska?
If the walkthrough pointed you to shrinkMD and you live in a state where our clinicians are licensed, join the waitlist. One email when booking opens in your state.
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