Rochester, New York
Psychiatric Evaluation in Rochester
Rochester engineers its way through everything except the gray: long waits, long winters, and a workforce of engineers, clinicians, and students who treat their own symptoms as a side project to manage solo. By the time most people book, the project is a year overdue. 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 Rochester 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
Made to fit life in Rochester
We shorten the timeline to days, by video from the South Wedge, Brighton, or an RIT dorm, with seasonal patterns screened explicitly at this latitude and continuity through breaks and job changes across our ten states.
Measured care suits this town: validated scores at every visit, one clinician throughout, and nothing billed to any insurer or visible to any employer.
What's included
The evaluation, start to finish
Before the visit, you gather the short list that sharpens everything: current medications, your pharmacy, and any past psychiatric medications with dose, duration, and response. The appointment itself runs 45 to 60 minutes by secure video, covering your history, screening tools, medical contributors, and goals, in plain conversation rather than interrogation.
By the end you know three things: what this is, what we recommend, and what to expect in the first six weeks. Validated scores from this visit become the baseline every follow up is measured against, prescriptions go to your pharmacy the same day when indicated, and therapy is coordinated when it strengthens the plan. The next appointment is on the calendar before you close the laptop.
Keep exploring
Care and next steps in Rochester
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Can U of R and RIT students keep care through breaks?
Yes, anywhere in New York automatically and across our other states when home is elsewhere. Nothing touches university systems.
Is the gray season worth treating or just life here?
Worth treating. Seasonal patterns respond strongly to timed light, sleep anchoring, and medication when indicated.
What should I've ready for the appointment?
Current medications and doses, your pharmacy, any past diagnoses, and most importantly every psychiatric medication you've tried with dose, duration, and response. That history guides everything.
What if I need more than telehealth can provide?
Then we tell you plainly and help arrange the right level of care. Knowing our limits is part of the clinical standard, not an exception to it.
Will I get a diagnosis at the first visit?
Usually yes, a working diagnosis and plan the same day. When something genuinely needs more information or records first, we say exactly what and why.
About Rochester
With about 210,000 people in the city and roughly 1 million across the metro area, Rochester is a community we're glad to serve. It's an Upstate health care and university hub anchored by the University of Rochester Medical Center. We care for hospital staff, students, working families, and professionals.
Serving Rochester
Across Rochester, from the Park Avenue area, downtown, and the Genesee River, residents can meet a board-certified psychiatrist by secure video with shrinkMD. Rochester is a Finger Lakes city on the Genesee River, 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.
Nearby areas
Psychiatric Evaluation in nearby New York 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 psychiatric evaluation in Rochester
Call 1-877-747-4656 now, appointments are available as soon as availability allows for Rochester residents, by secure video from home.
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