Locations / Florida / St. Petersburg
Online psychiatry for St. Petersburg, Florida
Board certified telepsychiatry for adults across St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, from Downtown and the Old Northeast to the Grand Central District, the beaches, and the many retirement communities. Expert psychiatric care by secure video, welcoming to younger and older adults alike.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 8, 2026 · Editorial policy
The Sunshine City
Psychiatric care for a city of every age
St. Petersburg is an arts city, full of galleries, murals, and a lively Downtown along the Tampa Bay waterfront, and it sits in one of the most densely populated counties in Florida. It's also home to a large older adult population, with retirees drawn to the beaches and the warm winters. Psychiatric needs look different across the generations, and finding care that fits can be hard when waitlists are long. shrinkMD brings board certified care to you by secure video, so consistent help is a few days away rather than a few months.
Telepsychiatry is a natural fit here. Older adults can be seen from home without arranging a ride or navigating Pinellas traffic, and younger residents working across the Grand Central District and Downtown can fit care around their day. We see adults of every age across the St. Petersburg area, with warmth and continuity.
You'll work with a clinician licensed in Florida who treats you as a whole person, with follow up that keeps your care on track, whether you're in the Old Northeast, near the beaches, or anywhere in Pinellas.
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 waterfront to the beaches, expert care is a few days away.
How it works
Getting started in St. Petersburg
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.
St. Petersburg resources
Mental health resources in St. Petersburg
Public starting points for care in the St. Petersburg area. 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 Tampa Bay Cares, now First Contact, answers Pinellas County's 211 line around the clock for crisis support and local referrals. Dial 211, call 727-210-4211, or text your zip code to 898211. Call 911 for emergencies.
- NAMI Pinellas County: education, support groups, and local resources, with a line at 727-826-0807.
- Hospital and community care: Johns Hopkins All Children's, along with community providers such as Suncoast Center and Directions for Living, offer behavioral health services and referrals across Pinellas, including Baker Act receiving facilities.
- Central Florida Behavioral Health Network: the managing entity that coordinates publicly funded behavioral health services across Pinellas and the surrounding Tampa Bay counties.
- Florida Medicaid: behavioral health coverage and provider information at flmedicaidmanagedcare.com and myflfamilies.com.
- Veterans: the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System serves the St. Petersburg area. 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
St. Petersburg neighborhoods and nearby areas we serve
shrinkMD provides telepsychiatry across St. Petersburg and the surrounding communities, including:
- Downtown, the Edge District, and the waterfront
- the Old Northeast and the Historic Kenwood district
- the Grand Central District and the Central Arts District
- Snell Isle and the Pink Streets
- the beach communities of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach
- Gulfport and South Pasadena
- the retirement communities across Pinellas
- and nearby Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, and Seminole
Keep exploring
Related care and next steps
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is telepsychiatry available in St. Petersburg?
Yes. You can be seen anywhere in St. Petersburg and Pinellas 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 St. Petersburg?
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 St. Petersburg?
Many patients schedule a full evaluation as soon as availability allows, depending on availability, which is often much faster than the wait for an in person psychiatrist in a busy Pinellas market.
What areas of St. Petersburg do you serve?
All of it by secure video, from Downtown and the Old Northeast to the Grand Central District, the beaches, and nearby Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, and Seminole.
Is online psychiatry a good fit for older adults in St. Petersburg?
Yes. With so many retirees in the area, telepsychiatry lets older adults be seen from home without arranging a ride or facing Pinellas traffic, with the same warmth and consistent follow up as an in person visit.
What number do I call in St. Petersburg for a mental health emergency?
Call or text 988 from anywhere in St. Petersburg, or dial 211 or call 727-210-4211 to reach First Contact, formerly 211 Tampa Bay Cares, staffed 24/7. If you may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department, including local Baker Act receiving facilities.
Does insurance cover telepsychiatry in St. Petersburg?
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 St. Petersburg area, by secure, HIPAA compliant video, from home or any private spot with an internet connection.
I am retired and on Medicare. Can I still be seen?
Yes. We do not bill Medicare or any insurance; you pay a transparent flat fee per visit, and many retirees find the cost reasonable for psychiatry without waitlists. We can provide documentation for your records.
I am not comfortable with technology. How hard is a video visit?
If you can tap a link, you can do this. We send a secure link before each visit, there is nothing to install, and our team can walk you through the first connection by phone.
Get started in St. Petersburg
Expert psychiatric care, wherever you are in St. Petersburg. Complete the intake and book your evaluation online, often as soon as availability allows.
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