Vikas Kodali, MD
I provide psychiatric medication management as well as a combination of therapeutic interventions such as supportive, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, and lifestyle interventions. I am adept at incorporating psychotherapy principles in all patient care encounters and am trained in treating multiple disorders and diagnoses including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as others.
I completed my psychiatry residency training at Trinity Health Hospital in Livonia, MI, where I was selected to be chief resident. Prior to this, I received my undergraduate bachelor's degree in Neurology and Anthropology from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, and my medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. I also completed the psychodynamic psychotherapy fellowship from the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute.
I have experience treating adult patients of all ages in multiple treatment settings including outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, and emergency departments.
Find a psychiatrist in San Diego, CA
Searching for a psychiatrist in San Diego often means calling practice after practice only to land on a waitlist. Talkiatry matches you with a psychiatrist licensed in California who sees San Diego residents by video, so you can start care from home instead of hunting for an open slot near you. Because your visits happen online, your options are not limited to the few practices with room in your part of the county.
Online psychiatry for San Diego residents
You begin by answering a few questions about where you live, what you are dealing with, and your history, then get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in California and book a video visit. Your first appointment lasts about 60 minutes, giving you time to walk through your symptoms, ask questions, and build a plan with your psychiatrist. Follow-ups usually run about 30 minutes, so keeping up with care fits around work, school, and family in San Diego.
Your psychiatrist is licensed in California, which means you can be seen from anywhere in the San Diego area over secure video. There is no office to drive to and no parking to find, so a busy week does not have to push your care out by months.
What a psychiatrist can help with
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can evaluate your symptoms, reach a diagnosis, and prescribe and manage medication when it fits your needs. Talkiatry psychiatrists listen first and personalize your care, so medication is one possible part of a plan rather than the automatic result of a visit. Depending on what you are facing, your plan may also include therapy, and your psychiatrist will talk through the options with you.
Common reasons San Diego residents reach out include:
- Anxiety, including constant worry, panic, and nerves that interrupt daily life
- Depression, including low mood, loss of interest, and trouble getting through the day
- ADHD, including trouble focusing, staying organized, and following through
Does insurance cover a psychiatrist in San Diego?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, and your coverage is checked during the free assessment before you schedule a visit. You will not need to dig up your plan details in advance. What you pay out of pocket depends on your specific plan, so confirm the details with your insurer for an estimate that matches your coverage.
Mental health care in San Diego
Long waits for a local appointment reflect a real shortage of psychiatric care across California. As of December 31, 2025, the state had 627 designated mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas covering about 11.54 million people, and only about 23.5% of the need for psychiatric care was being met (according to KFF as of 12/31/25). For you, that gap is one reason a nearby search turns up long waits and closed lists. Online psychiatry helps by connecting you with a psychiatrist licensed in California, rather than limiting your options to the providers with an opening in your immediate area.
Psychiatry across California
San Diego is one of many California cities Talkiatry serves. To see the full list of psychiatrists licensed across the state, visit our California psychiatrist page. If you are closer to another part of the state, you can also find care through our Los Angeles psychiatrist page.
Start with a free assessment
Answer a few questions online, get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in California, and schedule your first video visit. Take our free online assessment.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 for immediate help.
Can I see a psychiatrist online in San Diego?
Yes. You can meet a psychiatrist licensed in California over secure video from anywhere in San Diego. You start with a free online assessment, get matched, and schedule your first visit without leaving home.
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist in San Diego?
No. You can start directly by taking the free online assessment. You answer a few questions about your concerns and history, then get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in California who sees you by video.
Is Talkiatry available in San Diego?
Yes, for anyone located in San Diego or elsewhere in California. Care is fully online, so your psychiatrist is licensed in California and sees you by video wherever you are in the state.
Does insurance cover online psychiatry in San Diego?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, and your coverage is verified during the free assessment before you schedule. Because out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, check the specifics with your insurer.
Can I get a prescription from an online psychiatrist in San Diego?
A psychiatrist can prescribe and manage medication when it is clinically appropriate and legally permitted. A prescription is never guaranteed. Your psychiatrist listens, evaluates your symptoms, and recommends a plan that fits your needs.
How quickly can I see a psychiatrist in San Diego?
Many people are matched and seen within days rather than the months a local search can involve. Your exact timing depends on your schedule and the visits available after you finish the assessment.