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How Telepsychiatry Works at shrinkMD
shrinkMD provides structured, physician led telepsychiatry through a defined clinical process. Care begins with online intake, followed by a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, a personalized treatment plan, and ongoing monitoring, all delivered by licensed clinicians in the state where you live.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 8, 2026 · Editorial policy
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See how it works
A short explainer on how secure, online psychiatric care actually works.
The process
Five steps to care
Complete the secure intake
Submit our online intake so we can review your symptoms, psychiatric and medication history, medical conditions, and goals. Accurate intake supports diagnostic clarity and safety.
Schedule your visit
Pick a time that fits your schedule on our secure, HIPAA compliant video platform. You must be physically located in a state where your clinician is licensed at the time of the visit.
Comprehensive evaluation
Your first appointment includes a structured diagnostic assessment, risk and safety evaluation, review of prior treatment, medication reconciliation, and functional impact. Most initial evaluations last about 45 to 60 minutes.
Personalized treatment plan
Care is individualized and may include evidence based, non controlled medication when appropriate, therapy coordination, sleep and lifestyle strategies, and follow up. We don't prescribe controlled substances.
Ongoing monitoring
Patients on medication are typically seen at least every three months, or more often when needed, for symptom tracking, medication safety, and continuity.
Our promise
Standards that don't bend
Accessibility should never reduce accountability. Our process holds virtual care to the same standard as in person psychiatry.
- Comprehensive, unhurried evaluations.
- Responsible, non controlled prescribing.
- Structured follow up and continuity with the same clinician.
- Clear documentation and safety at every step.
Most patients schedule their evaluation withwithout the typical months-long wait.
Be ready
What to have ready for your intake
A few minutes of preparation makes your evaluation noticeably better:
- A list of current medications and doses, including supplements
- Every psychiatric medication you have tried before: the name, the dose, how long you took it, and how you responded, including side effects. This history is the single most useful thing you can bring, it steers what we try next and spares you repeating what already failed
- Your pharmacy name and location
- A private space and a device with a camera
- One or two sentences on what you most want help with, written before the visit
After the evaluation
The rhythm of ongoing care
Treatment is a cadence, not an event. While starting or adjusting medication, follow ups typically run every two to four weeks; once you are doing well, they space out to every one to three months. At each visit we track validated symptom scores, so progress is measured rather than assumed.
If therapy belongs in your plan, we say so and coordinate it. If a medication is not earning its place, we change course. The plan serves your results, never the other way around.
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Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
How long is the first appointment?
Most initial psychiatric evaluations last about 45 to 60 minutes, so there's time for a thorough assessment and a real plan.
How often will I be seen after that?
Patients receiving medication are typically seen at least every three months, or more frequently when clinically indicated.
Do I need to be in a specific state for my visit?
Yes. You must be physically located in a state where your clinician is licensed at the time of the appointment.
Can a psychiatrist diagnose you online?
Yes. A board certified psychiatrist can complete a full diagnostic evaluation by secure video, including history, symptom review, and screening tools. Online diagnosis is clinically valid for most adult mental health conditions, and we refer you for in person care when something truly requires it.
What are signs you should see a psychiatrist?
Common signs include persistent sadness or worry, sleep changes, panic attacks, mood swings, trouble functioning at work or home, or medications that no longer help. If symptoms last more than two weeks or interfere with daily life, an evaluation is worth scheduling.
What should I prepare before my first appointment?
Have a quiet private space, a list of current medications and doses, your pharmacy information, and any past diagnoses or hospitalizations. Most valuable of all: every psychiatric medication you have tried, with the dose, how long you took it, and how you responded, including side effects. That history directly guides what we try next. A short note about your main concerns helps your clinician focus on what matters most to you.
Can online psychiatrists prescribe medication?
Yes. Our clinicians prescribe most psychiatric medications electronically to your local pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances, which keeps care safe and compliant in every state we serve.
How long are appointments?
Initial evaluations typically run 45 to 60 minutes so your clinician can understand your full history. Follow ups are usually 15 to 30 minutes, scheduled at the cadence your treatment plan needs.
Start the process
It begins with a simple intake. Choose your state, complete the intake, and book your evaluation online.
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