Augusta, Maine
Online Psychiatrist for Depression in Augusta, Maine
Board certified, physician led depression care for adults in Augusta, Maine, 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 Maine. Maine is one of shrinkMD's first launch states, and we aren't seeing patients yet. Join the Maine 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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Depression in Augusta
Depression help in Augusta, Maine
When depression takes hold, waiting weeks or months for a psychiatrist is not a real option. For people in Augusta, online care closes that gap.
Augusta is Maine's state capital and a center of government employment on the Kennebec River. Its residents, state employees, government staff, and families throughout the Kennebec Valley, deserve psychiatric care that does not require a long drive or a long wait. shrinkMD is licensed across Maine and serves Augusta by secure video.
Mental health shortage data
Is Augusta a mental health shortage area?
Kennebec County outlined; dot marks Augusta. Light teal: other designated counties.
Augusta itself is inside LI-Augusta SA, a designation for low-income residents (score 17 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 Maine can widen your options. See which professional fits what you need.
See Kennebec County on the Maine shortage map · All Maine 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 depression
Depression can look like low mood, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, trouble concentrating, or a heavy hopelessness that will not lift. We begin with a thorough evaluation to get the diagnosis right, then build a plan that often combines a non-controlled antidepressant when appropriate with therapy coordination and regular check-ins. No controlled substances are involved. Depression responds to accurate diagnosis, the right non-controlled medication, and follow-up that does not drop off after the first visit.
Why timely care matters
Getting depression care in Augusta without the wait
Augusta is home to about 19,000 residents. Many residents live hours from the nearest psychiatrist, and rural Maine has long faced a shortage of mental health providers. So even here, a timely in-person psychiatry appointment can be hard to come by, and that is the gap online depression care fills for Augusta adults.
Care that fits
Online depression care that fits Augusta life
For Augusta, video visits remove the usual barriers. You get a full evaluation and a real plan, then steady follow-up with the same clinician, without leaving home. shrinkMD is opening to patients first in Maine. 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 depression care or depression care across Maine.
“Provider cares about you as a person not just your diagnosis.”
Verified patient reviews of our founder.
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is online treatment effective for depression?
Yes. Studies consistently find virtual psychiatric care matches in-person care for depression, with the added benefit of easier, more consistent follow-up.
What if an antidepressant did not work before?
That is common and useful information. A careful re-evaluation often finds a better-fitting diagnosis or medication and a clearer plan.
Do you treat seasonal depression too?
Yes. Seasonal patterns of depression are part of what we treat, with the same careful evaluation and plan.
Do I have to live in Augusta to be seen?
You need to be located in Maine during your visits, since that is where we are licensed. Augusta and the surrounding area are covered.
Is online depression care as good as in person in Augusta?
For most adults, yes. Research shows video-based psychiatric care matches in-person care for depression, and it is often easier to keep up with from Augusta.
Do I need a referral to see an online psychiatrist?
No referral is needed. You complete a secure intake and book once care is open in your state.
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 depression care in Augusta
shrinkMD is opening first in Maine and Nebraska. Join the waitlist and we'll email you when booking opens in your state.
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