Kearney, Nebraska
Online Psychiatrist for Anxiety in Kearney, Nebraska
Board certified, physician led anxiety care for adults in Kearney, Nebraska, by secure video.
Written under the clinical direction of Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Last updated October 4, 2026 · Editorial policy
Opening soon in Nebraska. Nebraska is one of shrinkMD's first launch states, and we aren't seeing patients yet. Join the Nebraska waitlist and we'll let you know when intake opens. If you need care sooner, here's how to find the right kind of help now. In a crisis, call or text 988.
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Anxiety in Kearney
Anxiety help in Kearney, Nebraska
If you are searching for anxiety help in Kearney, you are probably tired of waitlists. shrinkMD is built for timely access, so you can meet a clinician from home.
Kearney is a regional hub for central Nebraska and home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Its residents, college students and university staff, farming and ranching families, hospital workers, and commuters, deserve psychiatric care that does not require a long drive or a long wait. shrinkMD is licensed across Nebraska and serves Kearney by secure video.
Mental health shortage data
Is Kearney a mental health shortage area?
Buffalo County outlined; dot marks Kearney. Light teal: other designated counties.
Kearney is in Buffalo County, which sits entirely inside Mental Health Catchment Area 3, a federally designated mental health shortage area with a score of 12 out of 25.
A shortage designation means there are too few mental health providers for the people who live there, which often shows up as longer waits. Your primary care clinician can start treatment, and telepsychiatry with a clinician licensed in Nebraska can widen your options. See which professional fits what you need.
See Buffalo County on the Nebraska shortage map · All Nebraska designations
Source: HRSA mental health shortage designations, checked September 28, 2026; 2020 Census. Shrinktionary and shrinkMD are part of The Shrink Network, founded by Shariq Refai, MD.
Our approach
How we treat anxiety
Anxiety can show up as constant worry, a racing mind, a pounding heart, trouble sleeping, irritability, or a sense of dread that does not match what is actually in front of you. We start with a full evaluation to understand what is actually driving the anxiety, then build a plan that pairs non-controlled medication, like an SSRI or SNRI when it fits, with practical skills and therapy coordination. Because we do not prescribe controlled substances like Xanax or other benzodiazepines, anxiety care here is built around treatments that create lasting stability instead of short-term sedation.
Why timely care matters
Getting anxiety care in Kearney without the wait
Kearney is home to about 34,000 residents, the fifth-largest city in Nebraska. Of Nebraska's 93 counties, the large majority are designated mental health provider shortage areas and many have no psychiatric prescriber at all, leaving rural residents to drive long distances for in-person care. So even here, a timely in-person psychiatry appointment can be hard to come by, and that is the gap online anxiety care fills for Kearney adults.
Care that fits
Online anxiety care that fits Kearney life
Care from home works for Kearney. The same clinician, secure video visits, and a plan that builds over time, instead of starting over with someone new each appointment. shrinkMD is opening to patients first in Nebraska. Join the waitlist and we will reach out the day intake opens, or read how to start care first. You can also see our broader anxiety care or anxiety care across Nebraska.
“My mental health is very important to me. I appreciate that my thoughts and questions are considered when discussing treatment and medications.”
Verified patient reviews of our founder.
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Can anxiety really be treated online?
Yes. Research shows video-based psychiatric care works as well as in-person care for anxiety disorders, and it often improves how consistently people keep up with follow-up.
What kinds of anxiety do you treat?
Generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and related patterns in adults. If obsessive-compulsive symptoms are part of the picture, we address those too.
How soon could I start?
shrinkMD is built for timely access rather than months-long waits. Exact timing depends on your state and clinician availability.
Do I have to live in Kearney to be seen?
You need to be located in Nebraska during your visits, since that is where we are licensed. Kearney and the surrounding area are covered.
Is online anxiety care as good as in person in Kearney?
For most adults, yes. Research shows video-based psychiatric care matches in-person care for anxiety, and it is often easier to keep up with from Kearney.
Is online psychiatry legit?
Yes. shrinkMD is LegitScript certified and led by a board certified psychiatrist, with care delivered by licensed clinicians over secure, HIPAA compliant video.
How much does an online psychiatrist cost without insurance?
Initial evaluations start at $295 and follow-ups run $110 to $215, with an optional $49 per month membership where offered (Maine, once intake opens). shrinkMD is cash pay and provides a superbill on request.
Start anxiety care in Kearney
shrinkMD is opening first in Maine and Nebraska. Join the waitlist and we'll email you when booking opens in your state.
Join Our Waiting List