Arlington, Virginia
Medication Management 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 what unmanaged medication looks like, and it's fixable. shrinkMD delivers real medication stewardship to Arlington: board certified clinicians, measured follow up, and visits that fit your actual schedule.
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 Arlington chooses shrinkMD
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
How medication management works here
Everything starts with your medication story: what you take now and every psychiatric medication you've tried, each with dose, duration, and response, because that history is the strongest predictor of what will work next. Changes are then made one at a time, at sensible doses, and judged against validated symptom scores rather than impressions.
Expect visits every two to four weeks while adjusting and every one to three months once stable. Side effects get adult guidance, what fades, what to report, and how to switch safely, and tapers are planned rather than abrupt. We deprescribe when a medication stops earning its place, we don't prescribe controlled substances, and labs, when needed, are coordinated through your local clinic or lab.
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Care and next steps in Arlington
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Can appointments fit a federal schedule?
Yes, early mornings, lunch blocks, and evenings, with 15 to 30 minute follow ups that start on time.
Do you serve the rest of Northern Virginia?
Identically, Alexandria, Falls Church, McLean, Vienna, and Fairfax under the same Virginia coverage.
How often will I be seen?
Every two to four weeks while starting or adjusting, then every one to three months once stable. The cadence follows your response, not a fixed grid.
What if my medication causes side effects?
You get clear guidance on what fades within two weeks, what deserves a message, and what means call now, and switches are planned rather than abrupt.
Will you coordinate with my primary care doctor?
With your permission, yes, in both directions, so interactions get caught and both plans pull the same way.
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
More from a trusted source: Mental health medications - MedlinePlus.
Nearby areas
Medication Management 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 medication management in Arlington
Call 1-877-747-4656 now, appointments are available as soon as availability allows for Arlington residents, by secure video from home.
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