• You get to help people feel better and live healthier lives.

• Every day is different—as every patient has a unique history and set of needs. 

• You navigate how the brain functions, how people think and feel, and how medications can support healing. 

• You can work in a hospital, private practice, clinic, school, or even online.

• You’ll be part of a team that could include counselors, nurses, other medical doctors, and social workers.

Psychiatry is a great fit for those passionate about understanding the brain and using a combination of science, medication, and patient history to support individuals with unique and complex mental health needs.

With a doctoral degree:

• Psychiatrist (M.D. or D.O.)

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who helps people with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. They can diagnose problems, talk with patients about how they’re feeling, and prescribe medication to help them feel better. In Ohio, psychiatrists often work in hospitals, clinics, or private offices as part of a care team. They play a big role in helping people manage their mental health and live healthier lives.

• Chief Clinical Officer (CCO)

Chief Clinical Officers (CCOs) in behavioral health are top leaders who ensure that people receive high-quality mental health and addiction care. In Ohio, CCOs can work in hospitals, clinics, or community programs. They oversee the provision of services, ensuring they meet state laws and professional standards. They also lead teams of therapists, doctors, and support staff, helping create treatment plans, guide staff training, and make sure patients are treated with respect and safety. CCOs often collaborate with other leaders to develop new programs, manage budgets, and enhance services. [Learn more about careers in Clinical Supervision →]

• Researcher

Researchers help us better understand mental health, addiction, and ways to improve care. They design and lead studies that answer big questions—like what treatments work best or how to reach people in need. They write reports and share their findings to help improve services. [Learn more about Research careers→]

Other job titles you may see

• Telepsychiatrist 

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

As medical doctors, psychiatrists offer expert support in diagnosing mental health conditions and managing medications to better serve clients and their care teams.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They help people feel better by:

• Listening and Talking: Spend time with patients to understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

• Diagnosing Conditions: Identify mental health issues like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more.

• Creating Treatment Plans: Develop personalized care plans that may include talk therapy, medications, or both.

• Prescribing and Managing Medication: Choose the right medicine and check how it’s working over time.

• Supporting Families: Help family members understand the condition and ways they can support their loved one.

• Working with a Team: Partner with therapists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and other professionals to provide complete care.

• Crisis Intervention: Step in during emergencies to help people who are in serious mental distress.

Psychiatrists play a key role in behavioral health by combining medical knowledge with compassionate care to support mental wellness.

Psychiatrists can work in many different settings to help people with mental health needs:

• Psychiatric and General Hospitals

• Mental Health Clinics and Addiction Treatment Programs

• Residential Treatment Programs

• Private Practices

• Schools and Colleges

• Telehealth (Online Visits)

• Correctional Facilities

• Veterans' Centers

• Community Health Centers

Psychiatrists are in high demand and can work in a variety of settings to support the medical needs associated with mental health treatment.

• Children and Teens: Help young people who are struggling with emotions, behavior, or mental health issues like anxiety, ADHD, or depression.

• Adults and Seniors: Support people of all ages in managing mental health conditions, life changes, and aging-related challenges.

• People with Addiction or Substance Use Disorders: Treat those who are working to recover from drug or alcohol use, often with counseling and medication.

• People Managing Trauma or Stress: Help individuals heal from difficult experiences like abuse, violence, loss, or toxic stress.

• People with Serious Mental Illnesses: Provide care for conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression that affect a person’s ability to live and work independently.

Psychiatrists work with people across the lifespan and from every community, offering care that helps them feel better, stay safe, and live healthier lives.

To become a psychiatrist, you must:

1. Earn a 4-year college degree (often in science or psychology).

2. Attend medical school (another 4 years). Choose a program that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)! 

3. Complete a residency in psychiatry (4 more years of training in hospitals and clinics).

Psychiatrists are licensed Medical Doctors (MD) or Doctors of Osteopathy (DO). 

After completing your education and residency, you must:

• Pass medical exams to become a licensed doctor in Ohio. Information about these exams can be found on the United States Medical Licensing Examination website.

• Become certified in psychiatry by passing exams from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).

• Stay up to date with continuing education.

Click here to learn more about licenses, credentials, and certifications.