Locations / California
Online psychiatry for California
Board certified telepsychiatry for adults across California, from Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento, the Central Valley, the Inland Empire, and the rural counties of the far north. Expert care by secure video, without the long drive or the long wait.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 8, 2026 · Editorial policy
A coastal, county run system
Closing California's access gap
California has more psychiatrists than any other state, but they cluster along the coast, in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego. Move inland to the Central Valley, the Inland Empire, the high desert, the Sierra foothills, or the rural far north counties like Modoc, Siskiyou, and Trinity, and coverage thins quickly, with many of these communities sitting in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas.
California also runs much of its public mental health care through county systems, so what's available can change sharply from one county line to the next, and rural residents often face long drives and long waits. That distance often means symptoms deepen before care begins. shrinkMD closes that gap by bringing care to you over secure video, so your county no longer decides how quickly you're seen.
You'll work with a certified clinician, a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner licensed in California, with the same warmth, continuity, and follow up you'd expect from an in person practice, just easier to reach from home, work, or anywhere in the state.
What we treat
Conditions we treat
Care for the full range of adult mental health conditions, by secure video.
Specialty Populations
Athletes, students, professionals, healthcare workers, first responders, and veterans.
Learn more →
From the coastal metros to the Central Valley and the rural north, expert care is a few days away.
How it works
Getting started in California
Quick intake
Share your history and goals through a simple, secure form, in minutes.
Schedule fast
Pick a near term video visit. No referral, no long waitlist.
Meet your clinician
A thorough evaluation, a clear diagnosis, and a plan built around you.
Ongoing care
Continuity and follow up with the same clinician over time.
California resources
Mental health resources in California
Public starting points for care in California. These are informational, not endorsements, and phone numbers, hours, and eligibility can change, so verify with each agency. None replace evaluation by a licensed clinician.
- Crisis, 24/7: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org). Calls route to a nearby California crisis center when possible. Call 911 for emergencies.
- Mobile crisis response: 988 connects you to local crisis centers, which can coordinate county mobile crisis teams where the local system supports it. Availability varies by county in California.
- State authority: California Department of Health Care Services, Behavioral Health, 916-345-7589, dhcs.ca.gov/services/Pages/Mental-Health.aspx. The state oversees county run mental health systems.
- NAMI California: helpline, peer led support groups, and education for individuals and families. Find your local affiliate at nami.org/find-your-local-nami.
- Mental Health America affiliates in California: advocacy, screening tools, and information and referral, where available, at mhanational.org/affiliates.
- 211 California: dial 211 or visit 211.org for free, confidential referrals to behavioral health, housing, food, and transportation.
- SAMHSA FindSupport: 1-877-726-4727, 24/7, and samhsa.gov/find-support to locate mental health and substance use care.
- Medi-Cal Behavioral Health: California's Medicaid program covers behavioral health for eligible residents, with a provider locator at dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH.
- Academic care: UCLA Department of Psychiatry, semel.ucla.edu, UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, psychiatry.ucsf.edu, and Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, med.stanford.edu/psychiatry, which run specialty mood and treatment resistant programs and often accept community referrals.
- Veterans: find the nearest VA facility at va.gov/find-locations. Veterans Crisis Line, call 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
Cost and coverage
Insurance, access, and appointment availability in California
shrinkMD operates on a transparent self pay basis, so you always know the cost up front, with no surprise bills. If your plan includes out of network telehealth benefits, we can provide the documentation you need to submit for reimbursement.
We're built for timely access. Many California patients schedule a full evaluation as soon as availability allows, not the months long wait common in traditional practices, with online scheduling, virtual visits that remove travel and missed workdays, and consistent follow up that never restarts your care.
Local to you
California cities we serve
shrinkMD provides telepsychiatry across California, including these cities and their surrounding communities. Each linked city below has a dedicated local page.
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- San Jose
- the San Francisco Bay Area
- Sacramento
- Fresno
- Irvine
- Palo Alto
- Beverly Hills
- Newport Beach
- the Central Valley
- and surrounding communities
Direct answer
Can an online psychiatrist prescribe medication in California?
Yes. A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner licensed in California can evaluate you by video and prescribe non controlled psychiatric medication electronically to any California pharmacy, the same visit. shrinkMD clinicians hold California licenses, and prescriptions are sent the day they are written. The exception is controlled substances, stimulants and benzodiazepines, which shrinkMD does not prescribe for any patient, in any state.
Keep exploring
Related care and next steps
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is telepsychiatry legal in California?
Yes. Telepsychiatry is legal in California when delivered by a clinician who holds an active California license at the time of your appointment. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs are not controlled substances.
Do you prescribe controlled medication in California?
No. shrinkMD does not prescribe controlled substances. We use non controlled medications like SSRIs, SNRIs, and bupropion, paired with coordinated therapy, and your clinician will explain what they can prescribe in California.
How fast can I be seen in California?
Many patients schedule a full evaluation as soon as availability allows, depending on availability. Telepsychiatry often shortens the wait compared with finding an in person psychiatrist, especially in the Central Valley and rural counties.
Where in California do you provide care?
Anywhere in the state by secure video, including Los Angeles, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, the Central Valley, the Inland Empire, and the rural far north.
Does Medi-Cal cover mental health care?
Medi-Cal Behavioral Health, California's Medicaid program, covers medically necessary outpatient mental health services, including therapy and psychiatric medication management, for eligible residents. Coverage and in network clinicians vary by county and plan. Start at dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH.
What number do I call in California for a mental health emergency?
Call or text 988 from anywhere in California to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which routes to a nearby crisis center when possible. If you may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Do I need a referral to start care in California?
No. You don't need a referral to begin. Complete the secure intake and book your evaluation directly, and we'll coordinate with your primary care provider or therapist when that helps your care.
What conditions do you treat for California patients?
We care for the full range of adult mental health conditions by video, including anxiety, panic, OCD, depression, bipolar and mood disorders, women's mental health concerns like postpartum depression, and more, all with non controlled treatment options.
Get started in California
Expert psychiatric care, wherever you are in California. Complete the intake and book your evaluation online, often as soon as availability allows.
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