Start care
Start psychiatric care with shrinkMD.
Before you book, here's what care here looks like, who it's for, and what to expect.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Last reviewed June 24, 2026 · Editorial policy
Eligibility
Am I eligible?
shrinkMD provides licensed telepsychiatry for adults (age 18 and over) in the states where we hold clinical licenses. To start care, you'll need to be a resident of a state where we're actively licensed, and you'll need to be physically located in that state during your visits. Care is conducted by secure video; you'll need a reliable internet connection and a private space where you can speak openly.
We're a private-pay practice. We don't bill or participate with commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or other government health plans. We can provide a superbill on request for possible out-of-network reimbursement, but reimbursement is determined solely by your plan and isn't guaranteed.
Where we serve
What states are we serving?
We're actively welcoming patients in Nebraska and Maine. Additional states are licensed and launching: Florida, Georgia, Texas, California, New York, Virginia, Indiana, Hawaii. If your state is on the launching list, you can join the waitlist now and we'll reach out the day intake opens for your state.
If your state isn't listed at all, we're sorry. We hold ourselves to licensure compliance and we won't see patients in states where we aren't licensed.
Conditions
What we treat
We're a general adult psychiatry practice with depth in anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, mood disorders, sleep disorders, women's mental health, and psychotic disorders. The full list:
- Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and OCD.
- Depressive disorders, including major depression and seasonal affective disorder.
- Mood disorders, including bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia.
- Sleep disorders, including insomnia, treated with CBT-I and non-controlled approaches.
- Women's mental health, including postpartum depression, PMDD, and maternal mental health.
- Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, when continuity care is the right fit.
- Adjustment disorder, treated with therapy first and non-controlled support when needed.
- Anger and irritability, where we look for the underlying condition driving it.
Fit
What we don't treat
We're not the right fit for every situation. Specifically:
- We don't provide active substance use disorder treatment (detox, medication-assisted treatment for opioid or alcohol use, residential or intensive outpatient programs). If you need that level of care, we'll help point you toward an appropriate program.
- We don't manage active eating disorders that need a higher level of care.
- We don't provide custody, disability, or forensic evaluations.
- We don't see anyone under age 18.
Prescribing
Medications we don't prescribe
shrinkMD is a non-controlled psychiatry practice. We don't prescribe:
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium) on an ongoing basis.
- Stimulants for ADHD (Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, Concerta).
- Opioids, sleep sedatives like Ambien, or other controlled substances.
If you're currently prescribed a controlled medication and want to continue it, we may not be the right practice for you. We're happy to refer you to a clinician who manages those medications. If you want to come off a controlled medication, we can support you through a careful taper, coordinated with your current prescriber where appropriate.
Pricing
Pricing
Transparent and the same in every state where we practice:
- Initial Evaluation: from $295. A full evaluation, diagnosis, and personalized plan with a psychiatrist or certified nurse practitioner.
- Follow-up visits: $110 to $215 per visit, depending on length and complexity.
- Membership: $49 per month. Predictable, ongoing care with priority scheduling, member visit rates, and free access to the Unstuck and QuitScrolling apps. First month free, cancel anytime.
After intake
What happens after intake
You'll complete the secure intake form.
It collects your history, current concerns, and goals. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
You'll schedule your initial evaluation
for the earliest time that fits your life. Wait times depend on state and clinician availability.
You'll meet your clinician by secure video
for a thorough evaluation, typically 50 to 60 minutes. You'll leave with a working diagnosis (where appropriate) and a written plan.
Follow-up visits run on the cadence the plan calls for,
usually every 2 to 4 weeks at first, then less often as you stabilize.
You'll keep the same clinician over time.
That's the whole point. Continuity is part of how care actually works.
Get started
Join the waitlist (or start now if your state is active)
If you're in Nebraska or Maine, you can start the intake now. If you're in a launching state, the waitlist is the right move; we'll email you the day intake opens.