Locations / Nebraska / Kearney
Online psychiatry for Kearney, Nebraska
Telepsychiatry for adults across Kearney and Buffalo County, a central Nebraska hub on I-80 known for the Archway and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Expert psychiatric care by secure video, whether you're a student, a professional, or raising a family along the Platte.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 8, 2026 · Editorial policy
Where I-80 meets the Platte
Psychiatric care that reaches all of Kearney
Kearney sits at the heart of Buffalo County, a busy crossroads where I-80 meets the Platte River and the Archway arches over the interstate. The University of Nebraska at Kearney brings students and faculty to town, and the city serves as a regional center for shopping, work, and healthcare across central Nebraska. Even so, demand for psychiatric care here outpaces the handful of local prescribers, and many residents end up on a waitlist or driving east for an appointment.
shrinkMD changes that. We bring board certified care to you by secure video, so being seen no longer hinges on whether a Kearney office is taking new patients or whether you can spare a day for the drive to Lincoln or Omaha. Students near UNK, professionals downtown, and families out toward Gibbon or Pleasanton all reach the same care from home.
You'll work with a clinician licensed in Nebraska, with the warmth, continuity, and follow up you'd expect from an in person practice, reached from a dorm, an apartment, or a farmhouse anywhere in the Kearney area.
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 campus to the county roads, expert care is a few days away.
How it works
Getting started in Kearney
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.
Kearney resources
Mental health resources in the Kearney area
Public starting points for care in and around Kearney. These are informational, not endorsements, and phone numbers and details can change. None replace evaluation by a licensed clinician.
- Crisis, 24/7: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988). Nebraska Family Helpline: 1-888-866-8660, answered around the clock. Call 911 for emergencies.
- Region 3 Behavioral Health Services: the behavioral health authority for central Nebraska, including Buffalo County, with its main office in Kearney at 308-237-5113 or 800-321-4981.
- CHI Health Good Samaritan: Kearney's regional hospital, offering behavioral and psychiatric services for central Nebraska.
- University of Nebraska at Kearney: enrolled students can reach campus Counseling and Health Care for support and referrals.
- 211 Nebraska: dial 211 for free, confidential referrals to local mental health, financial, and community resources.
- Veterans: the VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System serves the Kearney area through community based clinics. Veterans Crisis Line, call 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
Cost and coverage
Insurance, access, and appointment availability in Nebraska
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 Nebraska 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
Kearney and nearby communities we serve
shrinkMD provides telepsychiatry across Kearney and the central Nebraska communities around it, including:
- Kearney and Buffalo County
- Gibbon and Shelton
- Pleasanton and Ravenna
- Elm Creek and Odessa
- Minden and Kearney County
- Holdrege and Phelps County
- Lexington and Dawson County
- and the campus community at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Related care and next steps
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is telepsychiatry available in Kearney?
Yes. You can be seen anywhere in Kearney and Buffalo County by secure video, as long as you're physically located in Nebraska and your clinician holds an active Nebraska license at the time of your appointment.
Do you prescribe controlled medication in Kearney?
No. shrinkMD does not prescribe controlled substances. We use non controlled medications such as SSRIs and SNRIs, paired with coordinated therapy.
How fast can I be seen in Kearney?
Many patients schedule a full evaluation as soon as availability allows, depending on availability, which often beats the wait to find an in person psychiatrist in central Nebraska.
Is online psychiatry a good fit for UNK students?
Yes. Adult students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney can be seen by secure video from a dorm or apartment, as long as they're physically in Nebraska. Campus Counseling and Health Care is also available for enrolled students.
What areas around Kearney do you serve?
Kearney and the surrounding towns by secure video, including Gibbon, Pleasanton, Ravenna, Minden, Holdrege, and Lexington, plus the farm communities across Buffalo County.
What number do I call in Kearney for a mental health emergency?
Call or text 988, or call the Nebraska Family Helpline at 1-888-866-8660. Region 3 Behavioral Health Services, based in Kearney, is at 308-237-5113. If you may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Does insurance cover telepsychiatry in Kearney?
shrinkMD operates on a transparent self pay basis. If your plan includes out of network telehealth benefits, we can provide documentation you can submit for reimbursement.
Where do appointments take place?
Wherever you are in the Kearney area, by secure, HIPAA compliant video, from home, a dorm, work, or any private spot with an internet connection.
Can UNK students be seen, including over breaks?
Yes, adults 18 and older, anywhere in Nebraska year round, and in our other states if home is out of state. College age is the highest risk window for first episodes, so continuity is the point.
We ranch an hour from town. Is this practical for us?
It is built for you. No drive, visits from the kitchen table, and scheduling that respects calving season and harvest. Rural distance should not decide who gets psychiatric care.
Get started in Kearney
Expert psychiatric care, wherever you are in the Kearney area. Complete the intake and book your evaluation online, often as soon as availability allows.
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