Locations / Florida / Sarasota
Online psychiatry for Sarasota, Florida
Discreet telepsychiatry for adults across Sarasota and Sarasota County, from Downtown and the bayfront to the beaches of Siesta Key, the master planned community of Lakewood Ranch, and Longboat Key. Thoughtful psychiatric care by secure video, on a schedule that fits your life.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 8, 2026 · Editorial policy
The Suncoast
Psychiatric care that fits the pace of Sarasota
Sarasota sits on a string of bays and barrier islands on Florida's Gulf coast, a cultural city of the arts and the Ringling legacy, with the beaches of Siesta Key and Longboat Key on one side and the fast growing community of Lakewood Ranch inland. Life here spans retirees, young families, professionals, and a busy arts and hospitality calendar, often with a drive between the keys, downtown, and the eastern suburbs. Even in a well served city, a psychiatrist accepting new patients can be a long wait away.
shrinkMD removes that obstacle. You connect with your clinician by secure video from your home near the bayfront, your office, or a quiet room on the key, with no waiting room and no bridge traffic. For families and professionals juggling work, children, and a calendar that rarely pauses, care that comes to you is care that lasts.
You'll work with one clinician licensed in Florida, with the warmth, continuity, and follow up of an in person practice. Your story carries forward visit to visit, so your care builds rather than starting over each time.
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 bayfront to the keys and Lakewood Ranch, thoughtful care is a few days away.
How it works
Getting started in Sarasota
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.
Sarasota resources
Mental health resources in the Sarasota area
Public starting points for care in and around Sarasota and Sarasota County. 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). 211 Suncoast serves Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Call 911 for emergencies.
- NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties: education, support groups, and local resources at namisarasotamanatee.org.
- Local hospital and crisis care: Sarasota Memorial Hospital offers behavioral health services, First Step of Sarasota provides addiction and crisis services, and Centerstone serves the area as a Baker Act receiving facility.
- Managing entity: the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network coordinates publicly funded behavioral health services for Sarasota County.
- Florida Medicaid: behavioral health coverage information at myflfamilies.com and flmedicaidmanagedcare.com.
- Veterans: the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center and Sarasota VA clinic serve area veterans. Veterans Crisis Line, call 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
Cost and coverage
Insurance, access, and appointment availability in Florida
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 Florida 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
Sarasota neighborhoods and nearby areas we serve
shrinkMD provides telepsychiatry across Sarasota and the surrounding Sarasota County communities, including:
- Downtown and the bayfront
- Laurel Park and Gillespie Park
- the West of Trail neighborhoods
- Siesta Key
- Longboat Key and Bird Key
- Lakewood Ranch
- Palmer Ranch and Osprey
- Venice and Nokomis
- and nearby Bradenton, Lido Key, and North Port
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Related care and next steps
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is telepsychiatry available in Sarasota?
Yes. You can be seen anywhere in Sarasota and Sarasota County by secure video, as long as you're physically located in Florida and your clinician holds an active Florida license at the time of your appointment.
Do you prescribe controlled medication in Sarasota?
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 Sarasota?
Many patients schedule a full evaluation as soon as availability allows, depending on availability, which is often much faster than finding an in person psychiatrist taking new patients in the area.
What areas of Sarasota do you serve?
All of it by secure video, from Downtown and the bayfront to Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, and nearby Venice and Bradenton.
Is online psychiatry private and convenient for a full schedule?
Yes. You meet your clinician by secure, HIPAA compliant video from home, the office, or a quiet room on the key, with no waiting room and no bridge traffic. It's discreet care that fits around work, family, and a busy calendar.
What number do I call in Sarasota for a mental health emergency?
Call or text 988 from anywhere in Sarasota, or dial 211 to reach 211 Suncoast for 24/7 support and referrals. If you may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department, which under Florida's Baker Act can serve as a receiving facility.
Does insurance cover telepsychiatry in Sarasota?
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 Sarasota area, by secure, HIPAA compliant video, from home, the office, or any private spot with an internet connection.
I care for an aging parent and cannot leave for appointments. Can this work?
This is exactly where telepsychiatry shines. Caregivers are seen from home during nap windows or evenings, and caregiver depression and anxiety are conditions we treat with particular attention, because they are common and routinely ignored.
Does the arts and hospitality schedule fit psychiatric care?
Yes. Evening rehearsals, weekend shows, and season peaks are scheduling facts, not obstacles. Visits are short, by video, and planned around your calendar.
Get started in Sarasota
Thoughtful psychiatric care, wherever you are in Sarasota. Complete the intake and book your evaluation online, often as soon as availability allows.
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