Locations / Nebraska
Online psychiatry for Nebraska
Now launching. Telepsychiatry for adults across Nebraska, from Omaha and Lincoln to Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, and the rural counties of the Sandhills and the Panhandle. 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 wide, rural state
Closing Nebraska's access gap
Nebraska's mental health care is concentrated in Omaha and Lincoln, while much of the state, from the Sandhills to the Panhandle, sits in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas. For families in places like Scottsbluff, North Platte, or Valentine, the nearest psychiatrist can be hours away, and that distance often means symptoms deepen before care begins.
Nebraska organizes public behavioral health through regional authorities, and crisis help runs statewide, but routine psychiatric appointments can still be hard to reach across the rural west. shrinkMD closes that gap by bringing care to you over secure video, so your zip code no longer decides how quickly you're seen.
You'll work with a certified clinician (a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner) licensed in Nebraska, 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 eastern cities to the rural west, expert psychiatric care is a few days away.
How it works
Getting started in Nebraska
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.
Nebraska resources
Mental health resources in Nebraska
Public starting points for care in Nebraska. 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 Nebraska crisis center when possible. Call 911 for emergencies.
- Nebraska Family Helpline: 1-888-866-8660, 24/7, a single statewide number that screens for safety and connects you to local behavioral health resources.
- Mobile crisis response: 988 can coordinate mobile crisis teams where the county or regional system supports it. Availability varies by county across Nebraska.
- State authority: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health, 402-875-3763, dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Behavioral-Health.aspx.
- NAMI Nebraska: 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 Nebraska: advocacy, screening tools, and information and referral, where available, at mhanational.org/affiliates.
- 211 Nebraska: dial 211 for free, confidential referrals to behavioral health, housing, food, and transportation. Find your local 211 at 211.org.
- SAMHSA FindSupport: 1-877-726-4727, 24/7, and samhsa.gov/find-support to locate mental health and substance use care.
- Nebraska Medicaid, Heritage Health: behavioral health coverage and a provider locator at dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Medicaid.aspx.
- Academic care: University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Psychiatry in Omaha, unmc.edu/psychiatry, which runs specialty mood and treatment resistant programs and often accepts 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 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
Nebraska cities we serve
shrinkMD provides telepsychiatry across Nebraska, including these cities and their surrounding communities. Each linked city below has a dedicated local page.
- Omaha
- Lincoln
- Bellevue
- Grand Island
- Kearney
- Fremont
- Hastings
- North Platte
- Papillion
- Gretna
- Bennington
- and surrounding communities
Direct answer
Can an online psychiatrist prescribe medication in Nebraska?
Yes. A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner licensed in Nebraska can evaluate you by video and prescribe non controlled psychiatric medication electronically to any Nebraska pharmacy, the same visit. shrinkMD clinicians hold Nebraska 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
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is telepsychiatry legal in Nebraska?
Yes. Telepsychiatry is legal in Nebraska when delivered by a certified clinician (a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner) who holds an active Nebraska license at the time of your appointment. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs are not controlled substances.
Do you prescribe controlled medication in Nebraska?
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 Nebraska.
Do I need a referral to be seen in Nebraska?
No referral is needed. You can complete the intake yourself and book directly, which is often faster than waiting for a referral, especially from a rural county in the Sandhills or the Panhandle.
What conditions do you treat in Nebraska?
We care for the full range of adult mental health conditions by video, including anxiety, depression, bipolar and mood disorders, OCD, postpartum and women's mental health, and psychotic disorders, with medication management and therapy coordination.
How fast can I be seen in Nebraska?
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 in a shortage area.
Where in Nebraska do you provide care?
Anywhere in the state by secure video, including Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, Scottsbluff, and the rural counties of the Sandhills and Panhandle.
Does Nebraska Medicaid cover mental health care?
Nebraska Medicaid, delivered through Heritage Health, covers medically necessary behavioral health services for eligible residents, including therapy and psychiatric medication management. Coverage and in network clinicians vary by plan. Start at dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Medicaid.aspx.
What number do I call in Nebraska for a mental health emergency?
Call or text 988 from anywhere in Nebraska, or call the Nebraska Family Helpline at 1-888-866-8660, available 24/7. If you may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Get started in Nebraska
Expert psychiatric care, wherever you are in Nebraska. Complete the intake and book your evaluation online, often as soon as availability allows.
Join Our Waiting List