Zafar Zaidi, MD
My goal when working with patients is to not come to a generic diagnosis; rather, it is to get to know about the client and try and manage their symptoms in the best way possible. Overall, the process is collaborative, and both parties need to be comfortable with the decisions moving forward. I enjoy getting to learn about patients and working collaboratively to provide the best treatment possible, be it medications or talk therapy. I have vast experience treating Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, among many others.
I graduated residency from University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University in 2015. After residency, I worked at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center as a staff psychiatrist. I eventually took on the role of Mental Health Lead Psychiatrist and Interim Clinic Director at the Tomball VA Outpatient Clinic. I then transferred to a telepsychiatry role at VISN 15, providing mental health coverage for rural areas in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. I have over 15 years of experience in treating different mental health conditions and am currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
I reside in Houston, Texas and enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, and watching/playing sports such as Football, Basketball, and Soccer.
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Zeshen Wu, MD
I focus on effective and safe medication management as well as supportive and psychodynamic therapy in my practice. I take a gentle, collaborative, and patient-centered approach, specializing in forming individualized pharmacological treatments as well as taking time to explore stressors and psychological issues to achieve complete and comprehensive care.
I am an ABPN board certified psychiatrist with more than 10 years of experience. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, followed by medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch, and completed my residency in psychiatry at Dell Medical School in Austin. I previously served as assistant professor of psychiatry at UTHealth McGovern Medical School in Houston and have been involved in many years of teaching and mentorship. At UTHealth, I also served as clinical faculty in one of the nation's largest inpatient psychiatric campuses and am experienced in treating a wide range of adult mental illnesses including mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and ADHD.
Find a psychiatrist in Austin, TX
Getting a psychiatry appointment in Austin can mean long waits and a short list of nearby providers who are taking new patients. Online psychiatry changes that. You can meet with a psychiatrist licensed in Texas by secure video, from home or anywhere in the Austin area, without sitting on a waitlist for months.
Because care is online, you are not limited to the clinicians who are close to you. You get matched based on your needs, then meet from wherever you are.
Online psychiatry for Austin residents
When you start with Talkiatry, you answer a few questions about your location, what you are dealing with, and your mental health history. From there, you get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in Texas, so you can be seen by video from anywhere in Austin.
Your first appointment lasts 60 minutes, which gives you time to talk through your symptoms, ask questions, and work with your psychiatrist on a plan that fits your life. Follow-up visits are usually about 30 minutes. Every visit happens by video, so there is no commute and no office to drive to across town.
What a psychiatrist in Austin can help with
Talkiatry psychiatrists are medical doctors who evaluate what you are experiencing and personalize care around it. Medication may be one part of your plan, but it is never the automatic result of a visit. Depending on your needs and availability, therapy may also be part of the plan, and psychiatrists work alongside therapists to support that.
Psychiatrists at Talkiatry work with people on conditions such as:
- Anxiety: ongoing worry, tension, or panic that gets in the way of daily life.
- Depression: low mood, loss of interest, or fatigue that lasts for weeks.
- ADHD: trouble with focus, follow-through, and impulsivity across settings.
Mental health care in Austin
Across Texas, there are 393 designated mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas covering about 13.44 million people, and only about 32.2% of the need for psychiatric care is currently met (KFF). For someone in Austin, that shortage is one reason appointments can be hard to find and wait times can feel long. Online psychiatry helps by connecting you with a licensed psychiatrist across the state, rather than limiting your options to the providers in your immediate area.
Does insurance cover a psychiatrist in Austin?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, and your coverage is verified during the free assessment before you schedule a visit. What you pay out of pocket depends on your specific plan, so it is worth confirming the details with your insurer. You will not need to look up your insurance information ahead of time; the assessment checks it for you.
Psychiatry across Texas
For the full list of psychiatrists licensed across the state, visit our Texas psychiatrist page. If you are closer to another metro or splitting time between cities, you can also see care options in Dallas and Houston.
Start with a free assessment
Answer a few questions online, get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in Texas, and schedule a video visit, often within days. Take our free online assessment.
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Can I see a psychiatrist online in Austin?
Yes. You can meet with a psychiatrist licensed in Texas by secure video from anywhere in Austin. You get matched after a short online assessment, then schedule your first visit.
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist in Austin?
No referral is needed to get started with Talkiatry. You begin with a free online assessment, and if online psychiatry is a good fit, you get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in Texas.
Does insurance cover online psychiatry in Austin?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, and your coverage is checked during the free assessment before you schedule. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, so confirm the specifics with your insurer.
Can I get a prescription from an online psychiatrist in Austin?
A psychiatrist can prescribe and manage medication when it is clinically appropriate and legally permitted. Medication is one possible part of a plan, not a guaranteed outcome, and your psychiatrist decides with you based on your evaluation.
Why is it so hard to see a psychiatrist in Austin?
Texas has a shortage of psychiatric providers, so local appointments can fill up and waits can be long. Online psychiatry helps by matching you with a licensed psychiatrist across the state instead of only those near you.
How soon can I see a psychiatrist in Austin?
Many people are seen within days rather than months. Timing depends on your schedule and match, so there is no fixed promise, but online scheduling is designed to be faster than waiting for a nearby opening.