Cost / California
How much does a psychiatrist cost in California without insurance?
shrinkMD publishes its self-pay prices, and they are the same across California. Here is the number, and what it buys.
Written under the clinical direction of Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Last updated October 4, 2026 · Editorial policy
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The number
What a psychiatrist costs in California
Money should not be the reason care in California stays a mystery. shrinkMD prints its self-pay prices, and this page walks through what each visit costs and why.
At shrinkMD the prices are simple and published: an initial evaluation from $295, follow-up visits $110 to $215, and an optional $49 per month membership where it's offered (Maine, once intake opens). Prices shown are shrinkMD's published self-pay rates as of July 2, 2026, and are the same in every state where we practice.
What it costs
shrinkMD self-pay prices for California
| Service | Self-pay price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Initial evaluation | $295 or $395 | $295 with a psychiatric nurse practitioner or $395 with a psychiatrist: a full 45 to 60 minute evaluation, diagnosis, and written plan. |
| Follow-up visits | $110 to $215 | Per visit, depending on clinician and length. Member rates are lower where membership is offered. |
| Membership (optional) | $49 per month | Membership availability varies by state and is not yet offered here. |
Access in California
Why cash pay makes sense in California
California, the most populous state, spanning dense coastal metros and a vast agricultural interior, has more than 39 million residents. Despite its large coastal cities, much of the Central Valley and rural inland California faces persistent shortages of psychiatrists and other mental health providers, leaving many residents with limited access to local care. A flat, published fee plus a video visit means your spot on the California map does not decide how much care costs or how far you travel for it.
Paying cash in California buys clarity: you see the fee before you book, get a full-length evaluation, and keep the same clinician. Insurance can hide the true cost behind deductibles and coinsurance until the statement shows up.
National data show that waits for a new outpatient psychiatric appointment often run beyond four weeks, and longer in rural areas, per AnxietyResearch. Cash-pay telepsychiatry is often quicker to reach because it does not depend on a plan's in-network panel.
Insurance
What about insurance?
In California, shrinkMD stays out of network on purpose. You pay the published rate, and we hand you a superbill you can file with your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement, which your plan determines and does not guarantee.
For the reasoning behind the model, see why we do not accept insurance. For care itself, see our anxiety and depression pages for California.
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Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
How much does a psychiatrist cost in California without insurance?
At shrinkMD, an initial evaluation in California starts at $295, follow-up visits run $110 to $215, and an optional $49 per month membership is offered only where state rules allow (Maine, once intake opens). Prices are published and the same in every state where we practice.
Do you take insurance in California?
No. shrinkMD is cash pay in California. We can provide a superbill on request for possible out-of-network reimbursement, but your plan decides whether you are reimbursed, and it is not guaranteed.
Is online psychiatry cheaper than in-person in California?
It depends on your coverage. Cash pay in California gives you a predictable price and a longer visit; strong in-network benefits could still make an insurance practice cheaper out of pocket.
How much does an online psychiatrist cost without insurance?
shrinkMD's self-pay prices are initial evaluations from $295, follow-ups $110 to $215, and an optional $49 per month membership. The prices are the same in every state where we practice.
Be first when booking opens
Physician led, cash pay online psychiatry for adults in California, with published prices, no controlled substances, and the same clinician over time. Join the waitlist for California.
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