Mental Health Jobs in Atlanta: Where to Find Opportunities and How to Get Started

Atlanta has become a major hub for mental health careers, with opportunities in hospitals, schools, community clinics, nonprofits, private practices, and government agencies. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, there are many paths to meaningful mental health jobs in Atlanta.

Below is a clear, locally focused guide to common roles, key employers, qualifications, pay expectations, and where to look for openings in the Atlanta area.

Overview: The Mental Health Job Landscape in Atlanta

Atlanta’s size and diversity mean there is steady demand for professionals who support mental health, including:

• Licensed clinicians (therapists, counselors, psychologists, social workers)
• Case managers and care coordinators
• Peer support specialists
• Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners
• School-based counselors and social workers
• Crisis workers and hotline staff
• Administrative and support staff in behavioral health programs

You’ll find roles across:

• Large hospital systems (e.g., Grady, Emory Healthcare, Piedmont)
• Georgia state agencies in downtown and metro Atlanta
• County mental health centers
• Atlanta Public Schools and nearby school districts
• Universities and college counseling centers
• Nonprofits and community-based organizations
• Private group practices and telehealth companies (often based in Atlanta or hiring locally)

Common Mental Health Job Types in Atlanta

1. Licensed Counselors and Therapists

These roles typically work directly with clients providing therapy or counseling.

Common Atlanta job titles include:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Associate Professional Counselor (APC)
• Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT / LAMFT)
• Clinical Social Worker (LCSW / LMSW)
• Substance Use Counselor / Addiction Counselor

You’ll often see these jobs in:

• Community Service Boards (CSBs) serving metro counties
• Hospital outpatient clinics and inpatient psychiatric units
• Nonprofit counseling centers
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) based in Atlanta
• Private practices in neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, and Sandy Springs

Typical requirements in Atlanta:

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field
• Georgia licensing or associate-level license (e.g., LPC/APC, LCSW/LMSW, LMFT/LAMFT)
• Supervised clinical hours (for full licensure)

2. Psychologists

Psychologists in Atlanta may work in hospitals, private practices, school systems, or academic settings.

Common roles:

• Clinical Psychologist
• School Psychologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Health Psychologist

You may find openings at:

• Major hospitals (e.g., Emory University Hospital, Grady Health System)
• Atlanta VA Medical Center (Decatur)
• University counseling centers (e.g., Georgia State University)
• Metro Atlanta school districts

Typical requirements:

• Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology
• Georgia state license as a psychologist for clinical practice
• For school psychologists: specialist or doctoral degree and state certification

3. Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

These roles involve prescribing and managing psychiatric medications and working in treatment teams.

In Atlanta, psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs often work in:

• Hospital psychiatric units and consult services
• Community mental health centers and CSBs
• Private practices and telepsychiatry services
• Integrated care clinics that combine primary care and behavioral health

Typical requirements:

• For psychiatrists: MD or DO, psychiatry residency, Georgia medical license, board certification/eligibility in psychiatry
• For psychiatric NPs: advanced practice nursing degree, psychiatric specialty certification, Georgia APRN license

4. Case Managers and Care Coordinators

Case managers help connect individuals with services like therapy, housing, transportation, and benefits.

Common Atlanta titles:

• Mental Health Case Manager
• Care Coordinator / Care Manager
• Community Support Specialist
• Intensive Case Manager

You’ll see these roles with:

• Community Service Boards (CSBs)
• Nonprofit agencies focused on housing, homelessness, or reentry
• Medicaid managed care organizations with offices in Atlanta
• Hospitals and health systems coordinating behavioral health care

Typical requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or related field (some roles accept associate degrees or experience)
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Familiarity with Atlanta-area resources and public benefit systems is often preferred

5. Peer Support Specialists

Peer specialists use their own lived experience of mental health or substance use recovery to support others.

In Atlanta, peer support specialists may work:

• In CSBs and community programs
• On mobile crisis teams
• In inpatient psychiatric units or step-down programs
• In recovery community organizations

Typical requirements:

• Lived experience and stable recovery
• Completion of Georgia Certified Peer Specialist training (mental health, addictive disease, or youth-specific)
• High school diploma or equivalent for many roles

6. School-Based Mental Health Jobs

Metro Atlanta has a large network of public and private schools, creating demand for:

• School counselors
• School social workers
• School psychologists
• Behavior specialists

You can find these positions with:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) – central office at 130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Surrounding districts: DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton
• Charter schools and independent schools across the city

Typical requirements:

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or education
• Georgia professional certification (e.g., for school counseling or school psychology)
• Experience with children and adolescents

7. Crisis and Hotline Roles

Atlanta has several crisis response and support options that hire:

• Crisis counselors
• Mobile crisis clinicians
• Call center specialists for mental health and suicide prevention lines

Some of these roles are based in or near Atlanta and may involve:

• 24/7 call centers
• On-call mobile crisis response in metro counties
• Coordination with local law enforcement, EMS, and hospital emergency departments

Typical requirements:

• For clinicians: relevant degree and licensing or eligibility
• For call specialists: training in crisis intervention, good communication, and emotional resilience

Major Employers and Agencies for Mental Health Jobs in Atlanta

Atlanta’s mental health job market is supported by a mix of state agencies, local governments, hospitals, and nonprofits.

1. State of Georgia: Behavioral Health & Government Roles

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

DBHDD oversees much of the public mental health system. Roles may include:

• Clinical staff in state-operated programs
• Policy and program specialists
• Data and quality improvement roles
• Training and workforce development

Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) and Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) also offer positions related to mental and behavioral health, especially for children and families.

2. Community Service Boards (CSBs) Serving Metro Atlanta

CSBs are public agencies that provide mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services. They regularly hire clinicians, case managers, peer specialists, and support staff.

Key CSBs in the Atlanta area include:

These organizations often list jobs on their own sites and on broader job boards. Positions may include:

• Outpatient therapist
• ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) team member
• Intensive case manager
• Residential support staff
• Crisis clinician

3. Hospitals and Health Systems

Atlanta’s major hospital systems employ a wide range of mental health professionals.

Common employers:

• Grady Health System – 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

  • Large safety-net hospital with psychiatric services, crisis care, and outpatient programs

• Emory Healthcare – multiple locations across Atlanta and Decatur

  • Academic medical system with inpatient psychiatry, outpatient behavioral health, and research opportunities

• Piedmont Healthcare – various metro Atlanta hospitals and clinics

  • Often hires behavioral health providers for integrated care and specialty clinics

• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) – pediatric focus, including behavioral health services

Hospitals frequently hire:

• Psychiatric RNs and nurse practitioners
• Social workers and discharge planners
• Psychologists and therapists
• Behavioral health technicians
• Case managers

4. Atlanta Public Schools and Universities

Atlanta Public Schools (APS)

APS and neighboring districts need:

• School counselors
• School psychologists
• Social workers
• Behavioral specialists

Higher education institutions in and around Atlanta also hire:

• Georgia State University – downtown Atlanta
• Georgia Tech, Emory University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and others

Typical roles:

• University counseling center therapists
• Case managers for student support services
• Psychologists and psychiatric providers for students

5. Nonprofits and Community-Based Organizations

Atlanta has many nonprofits focused on:

• Homelessness and supportive housing
• Youth and family services
• Domestic violence and trauma
• Substance use recovery
• Reentry from incarceration

These groups often hire:

• Case managers
• Counselors/therapists
• Peer specialists
• Program coordinators

Well-established organizations in Atlanta frequently advertise on general job boards and their own sites. Nonprofits may provide more flexibility with licensure while offering rich community-based experience.

6. Private Practices and Group Clinics

Metro Atlanta has a large number of:

• Group therapy practices
• Psychiatry practices
• Integrated primary care clinics with behavioral health

Common arrangements:

• W-2 employment with salary or hourly pay
• 1099 contractor roles with percentage-based income
• Opportunities for hybrid or telehealth schedules

Neighborhoods and areas with many practices include:

• Midtown
• Buckhead
• Virginia-Highland / Inman Park
• Sandy Springs
• Decatur
• Dunwoody

These roles usually require at least an associate or full clinical license in Georgia.

Education, Licensure, and Training in Georgia

Key Licenses for Clinical Roles

If you plan to practice as a clinician in Atlanta, common Georgia licenses include:

• LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) / APC (Associate Professional Counselor)
• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) / LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker)
• LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) / LAMFT
• Licensed Psychologist
• PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
• Board-certified Psychiatrist (MD/DO with GA medical license)

Each license has its own:

• Educational requirements
• Supervised hours
• Examination requirements
• Ongoing continuing education rules

Most licensing boards are coordinated through Georgia’s Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists, or equivalent boards for psychologists, nurses, and physicians.

Training Programs in the Atlanta Area

If you’re still in school or considering going back, there are metro Atlanta programs in:

• Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (master’s level)
• Social Work (BSW, MSW)
• Psychology (BA/BS, MA, PhD/PsyD)
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Psychiatric Nursing

Programs are offered through large universities and smaller colleges around the city. Many students in these programs complete practicums or internships at Atlanta hospitals, CSBs, nonprofits, and school systems, which can lead directly to job opportunities.

Pay Expectations and Work Settings in Atlanta

Exact salaries vary by employer, license, and experience, but some general patterns within the Atlanta area:

• Entry-level case managers or residential staff often earn less than licensed clinicians but may have more openings for those new to the field.
• Fully licensed therapists, social workers, and counselors in hospitals or CSBs typically receive a set salary with benefits.
• Private practice clinicians may earn more depending on client volume and insurance contracts but are more exposed to fluctuation.
• Psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs usually fall at the higher end of the pay range within mental health.
• School-based roles (counselors, psychologists) often follow district pay scales with good benefits and predictable schedules.

Work schedules can include:

• Traditional weekday hours (common in schools, many clinics)
• Evenings/weekends (private practices, crisis centers)
• Shift work and nights (inpatient units, emergency departments, crisis services)

Where to Search for Mental Health Jobs in Atlanta

Here are practical ways Atlanta residents commonly find mental health positions:

1. General Job Boards

Use broad job sites and search terms like:

• “mental health jobs Atlanta GA”
• “LPC jobs Atlanta”
• “LCSW Atlanta”
• “psychologist Atlanta”
• “psychiatric nurse practitioner Atlanta”
• “case manager behavioral health Atlanta”

Filter by location (Atlanta + nearby suburbs like Decatur, Marietta, Sandy Springs, College Park, etc.) and job type (full-time, part-time, remote).

2. Employer Career Pages

Many Atlanta organizations post jobs directly on their own career pages, including:

• Grady Health System
• Emory Healthcare
• Piedmont Healthcare
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
• Atlanta Public Schools and nearby districts
• Georgia DBHDD and other state agencies
• Local CSBs (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb & Douglas, etc.)

Checking employer-specific pages can reveal openings that don’t always appear on broad job boards.

3. Professional Associations and Licensing Boards

Georgia and Atlanta-area professional associations sometimes share job postings or directories that can help you identify potential employers, including:

• Counseling associations
• Social work associations
• Psychology associations
• Nursing and psychiatry groups

These organizations may also host local networking events, CE trainings, and conferences in Atlanta where employers connect with candidates.

4. University and Training Program Networks

If you are a student or recent graduate of a Georgia or Atlanta program:

• Use your school’s career services office.
• Join alumni networks, which often share mental health job leads in the city.
• Attend career fairs where Atlanta hospitals, CSBs, and nonprofits recruit interns and new graduates.

5. Local Networking and Word of Mouth

In Atlanta, many mental health jobs are filled through:

• Referrals from colleagues and supervisors
• Connections formed during internships or practicums
• Volunteering or part-time jobs at local agencies that later convert to full-time roles

Consider:

• Joining local meetups or professional groups in Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, or other central locations
• Attending workshops or CE events held at Atlanta hospitals, universities, or conference centers

Tips for Landing a Mental Health Job in Atlanta

Here are practical steps to make yourself more competitive in the Atlanta market:

1. Tailor your resume to Atlanta roles.
Highlight:

• Experience with urban and culturally diverse populations
• Work with Medicaid/Medicare and managed care if applicable
• Familiarity with community resources and local systems (schools, courts, shelters, etc.)

2. Clarify your Georgia licensure status.
Be explicit about:

• Current license (e.g., APC, LPC, LMSW, LCSW)
• Supervision status and approximate timeline to full licensure
• Any out-of-state licenses and whether you’re in the process of transferring to Georgia

3. Consider starting in high-demand settings.
Places that often hire and train newer staff in Atlanta include:

• CSBs and community mental health centers
• Hospital behavioral health units
• Nonprofit agencies serving high-need populations

4. Be open on location and schedule.
Willingness to work:

• In outer metro areas (e.g., Gwinnett, Clayton, Douglas, Rockdale)
• On evenings, weekends, or shifts

can increase job options, especially early in your career.

5. Keep up with continuing education and training.
Popular Atlanta-area trainings include:

• Trauma-informed care
• Suicide risk assessment and safety planning
• Culturally responsive practice for diverse communities
• Evidence-based therapies (e.g., CBT, DBT-focused trainings)

Quick-Glance Summary: Paths Into Mental Health Work in Atlanta

Atlanta offers a broad spectrum of mental health jobs, from entry-level support positions to highly specialized clinical roles. By understanding the local agencies, licensing expectations, and typical work settings, you can focus your search on the parts of the city and types of employers that best match your skills and career goals.