YOUTH    |    ADULTS

SOCIAL WORKER

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER

PSYCHOLOGIST

Substance Use Counselor

Psychiatrist

Case Manager

FAMILY THERAPIST

NURSE

Psychiatric Technician

SOCIAL WORKER

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER

PSYCHOLOGIST

Substance Use Counselor

Psychiatrist

Case Manager

FAMILY THERAPIST

NURSE

Psychiatric Technician

Worthwhile work is community-driven, flexible, and purpose-filled. Start your career at the LA County Department of Mental Health.

Unboring work is community driven, flexible, and purpose filled. Start your career at the LA County Department of Mental Health.

Empathic and curious
about the mind?

Dr. Rab, wearing glasses, a black fleece jacket, and grey pants, walks across a downtown street while carrying a black backpack, with the Los Angeles skyline visible in the background.

Public mental health careers offer a path that’s not only personally rewarding, but also a place you can really grow. These careers are all about understanding feelings and emotions, and helping people, families and communities through tough times. And public mental health is deeply rooted in communities and neighborhoods, helping those who need it most. These roles need critical thinking, deep empathy, and elite problem-solving skills. Those who are drawn to this work know it’s worthwhile because it’s the care the world really needs right now.

unstigma unstuck UNBOUND UNTETHERED UNCORPORATE UNBELIEVABLE UNSTOPPABLE

unstigma unstuck UNBOUND UNTETHERED UNCORPORATE UNBELIEVABLE UNSTOPPABLE

Find your worthwhile work match

Take this quiz to find a public mental health career that fits your vibe, strengths, and goals.

 
What matters most to you in a CAREER?
What settings most interest you?
Which sounds most like you?
How much school?
 

What is public mental health?

These jobs are purpose driven, but they’re also exciting and flexible! You’ll do inspiring work, and never know what your day will look like.

These jobs work out in the community giving back — not behind a desk. (But we have jobs behind desks, too.) 

These jobs offer stability and fair pay. There are licensed and unlicensed positions, and even work you can do right out of high school.

These jobs are heart- and soul-fulfilling, and they really do help make the world better for so many people.

And honestly, there’s nothing
boring about that.

Cyndi stands outdoors looking off to the side, wearing a cream button-up cardigan over a black top, grey trousers, a gold name necklace, and a County ID lanyard, with a residential gate and greenery in the background.

Community Health Worker

Works directly in the community as a team member with shared community/lived experience, supporting outreach and finding care for mental & social services.
Dr. Yamaguchi sits on a swing at a playground, smiling warmly while in conversation with another person whose back is to the camera, wearing a dark knit sweater, with trees and woodchip ground visible in the background.

Psychologist

Diagnoses and treats mental health conditions using therapy, medication, and long-term care.
Daniel smiles softly at the camera in a close-up portrait, wearing a dark patterned button-up shirt and a black DMH lanyard, with a light grey wall in the background.

Marriage and Family Therapist

Treats individuals, couples, and families, with a focus on improving communication, managing conflict and building healthier relationships.
Carlos smiles warmly while in conversation with a client whose back is to the camera, wearing a black zip-up jacket, with palm trees and a sunny sky in the background.

Substance Use Counselor

Supports people working to recover from addiction through counseling, guidance, and practical tools to help them stay on track.
Zariah smiles softly at the camera, wearing an olive-green sweater over a white collared shirt with a DMH ID lanyard, her long braided hair flowing down, with trees and greenery in the sunlit background.

Community Health Worker

Works directly in the community as a team member with shared community/lived experience, supporting outreach and finding care for mental health & social services.
Josh smiles at the camera with his hand raised in a wave, wearing glasses, a black jacket, and a crossbody bag strap, with palm trees, parked cars, and a sunny street in the background.

Case Manager

Helps people make a plan, navigate services, and stay supported through health, housing and recovery challenges.
Leo smiles softly at the camera in a close-up portrait, wearing black-framed glasses, a maroon zip-up jacket, and a black DMH lanyard, with the Los Angeles skyline blurred in the background.

Mental Health Nurse

Helps with direct psychiatric care and medication and tends to the overall physical and emotional wellbeing of each client.
Amparo stands outdoors with hands in her pockets, wearing a grey zip-up jacket with a peace-sign pin over a maroon collared shirt and a County of Los Angeles ID lanyard, with bare branching trees and dry grasses in the background.

Psychiatric Technician

Provides hands-on care and support with medication and helps people with mental health needs under clinical supervision.
Dr. Rab glances over his shoulder toward the camera at a sunlit downtown intersection, wearing round glasses, a black jacket, a DMH lanyard, and a black backpack, with storefronts, traffic signals, and a 4th Street sign visible in the background.

Psychiatrist

Diagnoses and treats mental health conditions using therapy, medication, and medical care.

ride along with us

unstigma unstuck UNBOUND UNTETHERED UNCORPORATE UNBELIEVABLE UNSTOPPABLE

unstigma unstuck UNBOUND UNTETHERED UNCORPORATE UNBELIEVABLE UNSTOPPABLE

shenequa
medical case worker

daniel
marriage and family therapist

albina
social worker

dr. rab
psychiatrist

dr. yamaguchi
psychologist

josh
medical case worker

How much school + what’s the salary?

High School

Community Health Worker
1–2 years training
Starting at $48k

Substance Abuse Counselor
0–2 years education
Starting at $48k

Associate

Psychiatric Technician
2–4 years education
Starting at $52k

Bachelor’s

Case Manager
4 years education
Starting at $56k

Mental Health Nurse
4–6 years education
Starting at $111k

Master’s

Marriage and Family Therapist
6–7 years education
Unlicensed: Starting at $76k
Licensed: Starting at $87k

Social Worker
6–7 years education
Unlicensed: Starting at $76k
Licensed: Starting at $87k

Master’s

Marriage and Family Therapist
6–7 years education
Unlicensed: Starting at $76k
Licensed: Starting at $87k

Social Worker
6–7 years education
Unlicensed: Starting at $76k
Licensed: Starting at $87k

Doctorate

Psychologist
8–10 years education
Unlicensed: Starting at $84k
Licensed: Starting at $112k

Psychiatrist
10–12 years education
Starting at $266k

We need people like you at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

oh the places you can go oh the places you can go

oh the places you can go oh the places you can go

Aleetia looks directly at the camera with a calm expression, wearing a grey polo shirt with a County of Los Angeles patch and a black DMH lanyard, with palm trees and a blue sky in the background.

aleetia, social worker

Working for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health is steady, reliable work in a growing field. It’s also super inspiring, flexible, and exciting!

LACDMH also has a stipend program to support continuing education and training. Basically, we’re all in to keep people growing. (And with one application for the whole county, once you’re in — you’re in, and oh the places you can go!)

These days, we all know how important good health care is, and LACDMH has great benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, and school loan repayment.

LACDMH has entry level jobs and pathways for advancement all over LA County. Join us in helping uplift our communities!

(left) aleetia, social worker

Ready to apply?

 
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Talk to your
school’s counselor

Want to make a difference working with us? Talk to your school’s career counselor to express your interest and learn more about opportunities at the LA County Department of Mental Health for thriving careers focused on wellbeing for all.

Group

click here

What to expect:
As a public entity, the LA County Department of Mental Health’s hiring process is formal, structured, and considered. That means it will take a bit of time and effort — but we promise, it’s worth it.

Albina smiles softly at the camera in a close-up portrait, wearing round gold-framed glasses, a light blue blazer over a white top, and a black DMH lanyard, with a lemon tree and palm trees visible in the sunny background.

albina, social worker

Ready to apply?

click here

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health logo. Hope, recovery, wellbeing.
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Carlos sits outdoors smiling as he listens to a client in conversation, wearing a black Hollywood Mental Health Cooperative zip-up jacket, with a wooden utility pole and a sunny urban backdrop behind them.

carlos

carlos

substance use
counselor

If you ask Carlos, “Hope is the start for everything.”

He works on a team that offers more than just addiction counseling, they provide housing, therapy, food and clothing — but most importantly, a listening ear that’s been there, and knows what it’s like. And it worked for him: “Once someone showed that they cared, it really made a difference.” Carlos was drawn to the holistic approach of this work, how it looks at both immediate needs and long-term goals when helping someone with recovery.

How to become a Substance Use Counselor

1
Do This Now

In California, you can start this job with a high school diploma or GED, plus some addiction-specific education (typically 9–12 college-level units).

2
Get Certified

These are the possible certifications: Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC) or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC).

3
Grow Experience

Complete extensive ‘Supervised Practical’ hours” (often 2,080 to 4,000 hours!) and do Internship/Fieldwork with a supervisor.

4
Make Change in Community

LACDMH has full-service partnership (FSP) teams, integrated health centers, and contract residential treatment programs, working with clients who have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

5
Grow and Grow

You can get your advanced certification/clinical license, if you pursue a master’s degree. Or you can also grow into leadership roles, and specializations galore.

Cyndi smiles at the camera while seated at an office desk, wearing a cream button-up cardigan over a black top with a gold name necklace and watch, with a computer monitor and office supplies visible behind her.

cyndi

community
health worker

Cyndi likes the structure her job provides.

Cyndi likes the structure her job provides. She started her career in social work and non-profit housing during the pandemic, driven by her natural ability to connect with people and wanting to guide folks towards better lives. She views her role as providing essential support and reliability for people who often feel marginalized or unseen: “To see my clients through to the other side, when it comes to housing — it’s very rewarding.”

How to become a Community Health Worker

1
Start Here

You have lived experience to share and want to give back to the community.

2
Do This Now

You could start mentoring or doing group work to build relational skills.

3
Get Certified &
Do the Work

With a high school diploma and training, you can start working as a Mental Health Advocate or Community Health Worker.

4
Make Change in Community

You can work in hospitals or clinics: inpatient units, emergency rooms, or outpatient mental health centers. LACDMH also has several teams that help people in crisis moments with CHWs.

5
Grow and Grow

There are supervisor roles, training roles, and lots of folks who start out as a CHW continue on to licensed roles.

Amparo stands outdoors with hands in her pockets, wearing a grey zip-up jacket with a peace-sign pin over a maroon collared shirt and a County of Los Angeles ID lanyard, with bare branching trees and dry grasses in the background.

amparo

psychiatric
technician

Amparo is called in when the crisis is at its peak.

Drawn to high-intensity moments, she works on a mobile crisis team as the first empathetic point of contact. Her role is to de-escalate, meeting people with calm, care, and a simple question: “How can we help?” With a steady presence, she assesses needs and connects people to support when they need it most. “Even when they’re yelling, if I sit, listen, and show I care, we can usually calm things down.”

How to become a Psychiatric Technician

1
Do This Now

Consider finding some activities in high school that are people-focused and compassionate. Volunteering? Hands-on care?

2
Get Certified or
Get Your Degree

Complete an accredited Psychiatric Technician program. Like a Psychiatric Technician Certificate (often 12–18 months), or an associate of Science (AS) in Psychiatric

3
Grow Experience
AKA Clinical Hours

All programs include mandatory clinical experience (Fieldwork/Internships) in settings like hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and developmental centers. This is where you learn practical skills under supervision.

4
Get Licensed

Once you graduate, you must pass the state licensing exam to practice.

5
Grow and Grow

You can use your experience to move into supervisory or highly specialized roles, like forensic psychiatry, crisis stabilization, or substance abuse treatment. You can also use your degree and experience as a stepping stone to enroll in nursing programs.

Josh stands outdoors looking off to the side, wearing glasses, a black jacket, a crossbody bag strap, and a DMH lanyard with a Stitch-character ID holder, with a tall white building, a mural, and parked cars visible in the background.

josh

case manager

Josh didn’t really talk about mental health as a kid.

He was the first in his family to receive a college degree in the US, and growing up, his family didn’t really talk about mental health. But Josh knew he wanted to help people. So he joined a crisis response team as a Community Health Worker. Now he’s a Medical Case Worker, taking on more responsibility, while in grad school earning his degree. He collaborates with a team to ensure clients receive the support they need: “We’re there to advocate for people and be present with them.”

How to become a Case Manager
(aka Medical Case Worker)

1
Do This Now

Try classes like psychology or social sciences. Volunteer at school or in your community to practice problem-solving and people skills.

2
Get Your Degree

Earn a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in a human-services major (like Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or Public Health).

3
Grow Experience

Look for starter roles: Behavioral Health Tech, Intake Coordinator, Community Health Worker, or Peer Support Specialist.

4
Grow Skills

Build skills in crisis screening, writing clear notes, creating care plans, and learning local resources (housing, food banks, transport, etc.).

5
Make Change in Community

Work on Full Service Partnership (FSP) teams, Homeless Outreach teams, and at general outpatient clinics at LACDMH supporting people through transitions.

6
Grow and Grow

Move into leadership, specialize in an area you love, or use case-management experience as a base for a master’s degree (MSW, MFT, etc.).

Zariah smiles at the camera while forming a heart shape with her hands, wearing an olive-green sweater over a white collared shirt and a black DMH lanyard, with long braided hair and palm trees visible in the sunny background.

zariah

social worker

Zariah is motivated by the desire to truly help others.

She was inspired to pursue this career after realizing she had a natural ability to listen and offer advice. “Just randomly, people always come up to me and just tell me their life story. I’m like, let me get paid for this!” She loves the flexibility of her master’s degree, allowing her to work in diverse settings. She hopes younger people will explore all the different ways they can be helpful in this world: “The only options aren’t just doctor, lawyer, athlete … right?”

How to become a Social Worker

1
Do This First

Get a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS). Recommended major: Social Work (BSW) is the best. Other strong majors include Psychology, Sociology, and Human Development.

2
Get a Masters of
Social Work (MSW) Degree

Finish all mandatory graduate Fieldwork/Internship hours (typically 900–1,200 hours).

3
Gain Supervised
Experience (ASW)

Register as an Associate Social Worker (ASW) and complete 3,000 supervised clinical hours, including 104 weeks with an LCSW.

4
Get Clinical
Licensure (LCSW)

Pass two required tests after you’ve finished your hours.

5
Make Change in Community

LACDMH has Psychiatric Social Workers in Full-Service Partnership (FSP) teams, Psychiatric Emergency 
Services (PES), outpatient clinics, and residential programs.

6
Grow and Grow

You can move into leadership roles like Clinical Supervisor, Program Manager, or Chief Social Worker.

Daniel stands on a city sidewalk smiling at the camera, wearing a dark button-up shirt with an ID lanyard, dark pants, and brown leather boots, presented as a Polaroid-style photo labelled "Daniel" with decorative star stickers in the corner.

marriage and
family therapist

Daniel’s job serves Koreatown — where he grew up.

His passion for mental health began with a simple realization: “This is what I’m already good at.” He knew he had an innate ability to listen and offer encouragement, which led to his current role. “It’s an incredibly rewarding experience, I’m now serving the very community I grew up in.” He works at a multilingual clinic, using his ability to earn trust and facilitate change, and that’s what makes this field so powerful to him.

How to become a Marriage and Family Therapist

1
Do This Now

Consider clubs 
or volunteer activities that empower relationship-building.

2
Get Your First Degree

Get a bachelor’s degree 
(BA or BS). Recommended Majors: Psychology, Sociology, Child Development, or Human Services. (BSW works, too, though it’s 
less common for this path.)

3
Get Your
Medical Degree

Get a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) or Counseling Psychology, including required graduate practicum/Internship hours (about 300–400 supervised hours).

4
Grow Experience

After graduating, complete at least 3,000 supervised clinical hours, including a minimum of 104 weeks with a licensed clinician.

5
Get Licensed &
Board-Certifed

Pass two required tests, after you’ve finished all those hours.

6
Make Change in Community

Mental Health Clinicians work in: Full-Service Partnership (FSP) teams, Child and Family Mental Health Services (CFMHS), Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES), and outpatient programs.

Leo walks along a wet city sidewalk wearing glasses, a maroon zip-up jacket with a County of Los Angeles patch and ID lanyard, and khaki pants, with traffic and a large municipal building visible in the background.

leo

mental health nurse

Leo is drawn to adrenaline and problem-solving.

He’s been working for the county since 1994, and most of his work has been for mobile teams that are called in for crisis out in the communities. “I like the rush.” He’s always had an interest in psychiatry, along with his nursing education. He loves how he can use his skills to help people who need it most. “It’s not just about mental health — we’re an outreach team. You need us, you call us, we come.”

How to become a Mental Health Nurse

1
Do This Now

Feel called to nursing or care work? Volunteering can get you close to the action.

2
Do This First

Get a bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) (4 years) or associate degree in Nursing (ADN) (2-3 years).

3
Get Your License

After graduation, pass the national standardized test aka the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.

4
Grow Experience

Work as a licensed RN to build skills in patient assessment, critical thinking, and emergency response. While you can start in a psychiatric unit, general acute care experience (Med-Surg, Emergency Department) is highly valuable, too.

5
Make Change in Community

RNs are essential in Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES), inpatient psychiatric units, jail/correctional health services, and within LACDMH’s clinics that serve clients with severe mental illness.

6
Grow and Grow

There are a variety of ways to advance as Clinical Specialists and practitioners.

Dr. Yamaguchi smiles brightly while looking off to the side, wearing a dark knit sweater with an asymmetrical buttoned collar, photographed outdoors with trees and blue sky in the soft background.

dr. yamaguchi

psychologist

Dr. Yamaguchi knows the world is hard these days.

That’s why she chose her second career, working with families and supporting children who have experienced abuse and neglect. “I was able to turn 
my challenges and difficulties into fuel to help others. I want to be someone who stands on the same ground as them.” She maintains dedicated by consciously staying grateful: “I like to remind myself: I’m no different than my clients. It could happen to anyone.”

How to become a Psychologist

1
Get Your First Degree

Get a bachelor’s (BA or BS) in Psychology. You might enjoy courses like research methods, statistics, or abnormal psychology.

2
Get a Master's Degree

An MA or MS in Psychology can strengthen doctoral applications, though some programs accept students straight from a bachelor’s.

3
Earn a Doctoral Degree

Choose an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited doctoral program: a PhD for research, or a PsyD for hands-on clinical work.

4
Grow Experience

Finish a full-time, one-year pre-doctoral Internship (often 2,000 hours) — LACDMH has some great ones!

5
Do Post-Doctoral Fellowship and Get Licensed

Complete a 1,500–2,000 hour supervised fellowship and pass the licensure exam as well as the California Psychology Supplemental Examination (CPSE).

6
Make Change in Community

LACDMH has leadership and advanced clinician roles on crisis teams, community programs, and special assessment teams.

Dr. Rab, wearing glasses, a black fleece jacket, and grey pants, walks across a downtown street while carrying a black backpack, with the Los Angeles skyline visible in the background.

dr. rab

psychiatrist

Dr. Rab never thought he’d become a psychiatrist.

When he immigrated to the US at 15, he had to focus on one thing — building a future. “For first time I could do whatever I wanted with my life,” he says. Today, he works on a mobile street team that brings psychiatry right to where people need it most. When working in the mental health space, he said, “You’re expanding the boundaries of our knowledge and our understanding of existence. This work serves a larger purpose by taking the human race into a better direction.”

How to become a Psychiatrist

1
Do This Now

Try out some AP science classes in school. Keep an eye out on behavioral science or social science departments when college-hunting.

2
Get Your First Degree

First up: bachelor’s: (BA or BS). While any major is acceptable, you must complete pre-medical requirements, and pass your MCATs to keep going.

3
Get Your Medical Degree

This is where you study to become a medical doctor (MD), but you’ve still got to pass some licensing exams, too.

4
Grow Experience
(Get Trained)

Learn how to do the work in a residency program and decide what type of psychiatrist you want to be.

5
Get Licensed & Board-Certifed

More hours, more tests. You’re almost there.

6
Make Change in Community

You can work in hospitals, urgent care centers, clinics, or in the field like on LACDMH’s Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement (HOME) team with Dr. Rab and a team of street psychiatrists!