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Therapy
Therapy and medication work best together. shrinkMD coordinates evidence based therapy alongside your psychiatric care, so the two reinforce each other instead of happening in silos. The result is care that treats the whole picture.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 8, 2026 · Editorial policy
Why it matters
Two tools, one plan
Medication can lift the biology of a condition, and therapy builds the skills and patterns that keep you well. For many conditions, combining the two produces the strongest, most durable results.
When therapy and psychiatry are coordinated rather than separate, your clinicians share a plan and pull in the same direction. That's what we build.
Focused support
Therapy support by focus
We coordinate therapy for a range of needs, including dedicated support for these.
Therapy for Depression
Evidence based approaches like CBT and behavioral activation that pair well with medication or stand alone.
Learn more →Therapy for Anxiety
CBT, exposure based therapy, and ERP for anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and OCD.
Learn more →Integrated with psychiatry
Therapy coordinated with your evaluation and medication plan, so everything works together.
Learn more →
Therapy plus the right medication, working together, is often the strongest plan.
What works
Therapy with an evidence base
Not all therapy is the same. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, has the strongest research support for anxiety and depression, and it is structured and skills based rather than open ended talking. Exposure based approaches are the standard for panic, phobias, and OCD. Behavioral activation works directly on the withdrawal and inactivity that feed depression.
The common thread is that effective therapy gives you specific skills to practice between sessions. Insight matters, but practice is what changes how you feel.
Working together
How therapy and psychiatry connect at shrinkMD
For many conditions, the combination of medication and therapy outperforms either alone. Medication can lower the volume of symptoms enough that therapy skills become learnable, and therapy builds the durable habits that protect you when medication is eventually tapered.
Your shrinkMD clinician coordinates both sides of that equation, whether you work with a therapist through us or already have one you trust. One plan, not two parallel treatments.
Keep exploring
Related care and next steps
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Do you provide therapy directly, or coordinate it?
We coordinate evidence based therapy alongside your psychiatric care so the two work together. Your plan reflects both, with clinicians pulling in the same direction.
What kinds of therapy do you coordinate?
Evidence based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD, exposure therapy for anxiety, and behavioral activation for depression, matched to your needs.
Can I do therapy and medication together?
Yes, and for many conditions that combination is the most effective. We design care so therapy and medication reinforce each other.
Is therapy available by video?
Yes. Coordinated therapy fits the same secure, convenient telehealth model as the rest of your care.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose conditions and prescribe medication. Therapists provide structured talk therapy. Many patients do best with both, and shrinkMD coordinates the two so your care works as one plan.
Do I need therapy if I am already taking medication?
Often the combination works better than either alone, especially for anxiety, depression, and trauma related conditions. Your clinician will tell you honestly whether therapy, medication, or both fit your situation.
What kind of therapy works best for anxiety and depression?
Cognitive behavioral therapy has the strongest evidence for both, and skills based approaches like behavioral activation and exposure work well for specific symptoms. The best therapy is one you will actually attend, which is where virtual visits help.
How long does therapy take to work?
Many people notice change within 6 to 12 sessions of structured therapy. Progress depends on consistency, the fit with your therapist, and practicing skills between sessions.
Sources
Sources and further reading
Get started with integrated care
Therapy and psychiatry, working together. Choose your state, complete the intake, and book your evaluation online.
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