Norfolk, Virginia
Psychiatric Evaluation in Norfolk
Norfolk's rhythm is set by the harbor: deployment cycles that stretch households, shipyard shifts that wreck sleep, and a mental health load that rarely fits a civilian clinic's Tuesday calendar. TRICARE visibility worries keep many from trying at all, and the waitlists punish the ones who do. What changes that's a real evaluation: a full clinical hour that ends in answers. shrinkMD delivers it to Norfolk by secure video, as soon as availability allows, from board certified clinicians.
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 Norfolk chooses shrinkMD
Everything here sits outside the systems: nothing billed to TRICARE or any insurer, records only with written authorization, and adult family members, veterans, shipyard workers, and civilians seen within days.
Care follows the deployment calendar, heavier during workups and absences, lighter when the household is whole, by video from Ghent to Ocean View to Portsmouth.
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 Norfolk
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is this safe for a Navy spouse worried about visibility?
Yes, structurally: nothing bills to TRICARE, no claims exist anywhere, and records release only with your written authorization.
Can shipyard rotations fit appointments?
Yes, with post shift and evening slots, and the sleep those shifts wreck treated as part of the plan.
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.
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.
About Norfolk
Norfolk is anchored by Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world, in the Hampton Roads region. It's home to about 231,000 people. The people we see here include active-duty sailors, military families, veterans, and Navy civilian staff.
Serving Norfolk
Norfolk is a historic port city in Hampton Roads, on the Elizabeth River, and reaching a psychiatrist here shouldn't take a long drive. shrinkMD sees adults across Norfolk by secure video, whether you're near the Waterside District, historic Ghent, and Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin. You keep the same clinician each visit, with no commute and no waiting room.
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.
Related reading
- the psychiatric evaluation
- what to expect at your first evaluation
- your first appointment, step by step
More from a trusted source: What is psychiatry? - American Psychiatric Association.
Nearby areas
Psychiatric Evaluation in nearby Virginia cities
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 Norfolk
Call 1-877-747-4656 now, appointments are available as soon as availability allows for Norfolk residents, by secure video from home.
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