Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness. They assess patients, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, provide psychotherapy, and coordinate care with other providers to address the complex interplay between mental, physical, and neurological health.

Common job duties

• Conduct psychiatric evaluations and diagnostic assessments
• Develop and manage individualized treatment plans
• Prescribe, adjust, and monitor psychiatric medications
• Provide individual, group, or family psychotherapy
• Consult with other physicians and healthcare providers on complex cases
• Admit and discharge patients from inpatient psychiatric units
• Document clinical encounters and maintain patient records
• Supervise psychiatric residents, medical students, and other trainees
• Conduct or contribute to research on mental illness and its treatment
• Participate in continuing education to maintain board certification

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree followed by an accredited medical school (MD or DO)
• Completion of a four‑year psychiatry residency (ACGME‑accredited)
• Valid state medical license in the state of practice
• Board certification in psychiatry through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
• Optional fellowship in a subspecialty (child & adolescent, geriatric, forensic, addiction, or consultation‑liaison) for those seeking additional expertise

Psychiatrists typically work in private practice, hospitals, community mental health centers, academic medical centers, correctional facilities, or research institutions. Compensation varies by setting, geographic location, subspecialty, and practice style, with average salaries around $270,000 in the United States.