Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Psychiatric Evaluation in Kailua-Kona
West Hawaii's psychiatric access problem is geographic to the point of absurdity: a months long wait in Kona, a drive across the saddle, or a flight to Honolulu. When care requires an itinerary, people skip care, and the skipping compounds. A psychiatric evaluation is how the guessing ends: one structured hour with a board certified clinician that produces a real diagnosis and a real plan. shrinkMD brings that hour to Kailua-Kona by secure video, as clinician availability allows.
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 Kailua-Kona chooses shrinkMD
From Kailua-Kona to the coffee belt to Waimea, visits happen by video from home, office, or farm, deleting the itinerary entirely, with island economic rhythms respected.
We bill no insurance, fees are flat, published, and predictable through tourism's seasonal swings, with HSA and FSA accepted and superbills provided.
What's included
What your evaluation includes
Plan for 45 to 60 minutes of real clinical work, two to four times the length of a rushed intake. Your clinician maps your symptoms and their timeline, screens the conditions that imitate one another, including bipolar patterns hiding behind depression and anxiety masking trauma, reviews medical contributors like thyroid problems and sleep loss, and documents every psychiatric medication you've tried with its dose, duration, and response.
You leave with a working diagnosis explained in plain language, validated baseline scores so progress can be measured, and a concrete plan covering medication and therapy options. Prescriptions reach your local pharmacy the same day when medication is part of the plan, and your follow up is booked before you sign off. If we aren't the right level of care, we say so and point you to what is.
Keep exploring
Care and next steps in Kailua-Kona
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Internet up the mountain is spotty. Will visits hold?
Usually yes on modest bandwidth, and a phone on cellular works; if the connection drops, your clinician calls and the visit continues.
My income swings by season. How do fees work?
Flat and published before you book, follow ups cheaper than evaluations, and honesty about visit frequency so you never overpay.
Do I need a referral to book an evaluation?
No. You book directly, and with your permission we coordinate with your primary care clinician afterward so the whole picture stays connected.
Is a video evaluation as accurate as in person?
Yes. Psychiatric evaluation is history, conversation, and structured screening, all fully intact over secure video, and the research consistently shows equivalence.
What happens after the evaluation?
Treatment starts: same day prescriptions when appropriate, a booked follow up, therapy coordination when it belongs in the plan, and measured progress from visit one.
About Kailua-Kona
With about 20,000 people, Kailua-Kona is a community we're glad to serve. It's the main town on the Big Island's west (Kona) side. We care for west-side island residents, retirees, and workers in healthcare, hospitality, and small business.
Serving Kailua-Kona
Across Kailua-Kona, from Mokuaikaua Church, the Kailua Pier, and Alii Drive, residents can meet a board-certified psychiatrist by secure video with shrinkMD. Kailua-Kona is the heart of the Big Island's sunny Kona coast, 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: What is psychiatry? - American Psychiatric Association.
Your next step in The Shrink Network
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Each site in the network has one job. No matter where you enter, we help you find the next step that makes sense.
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Want to understand more first?
Start psychiatric evaluation in Kailua-Kona
Call 1-877-747-4656 now, appointments are available as soon as availability allows for Kailua-Kona residents, by secure video from home.
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