Who we are

The Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine conducts research that defines psychiatry in the 21st century. We are educating clinicians and scientists who become leaders in the field and providing high quality clinical services to facilitate teaching and research.

Diversity, equity & inclusion

We know that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential for success in everything we do. That’s why we’ve established the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, focused on making this work a strong and integrated element of each of our mission areas.

Learn about our Racial Equity and Justice Initiative »


Latest news

Expert faculty who lead a tradition of excellence

John Pruett, MD, PhD

Expert in child and adolescent psychiatry, autism, cognition, and imaging

Marcie Garland
Marcie Garland, MD

Expert in psychosis, major depression, forensics, and inpatient psychiatry

Patricia Cavazos-Rehg
Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, PhD

Expert in mental health epidemiology, policy, social media and risk behaviors

Adam Kepecs, PhD

Expert in the basic science underlying cognition and decision making impacted by psychiatric disorders

I have loved working with all of my co-residents — the program fosters an amazing culture of residents supporting and learning from one another! I’m also very excited to explore many unique opportunities as a PGY-2, including an eating disorder rotation, participating in neurosteroid infusions for post-partum depression, and a forensic psychiatry elective.

Jeff Carley, MD
PGY2 Resident

What I really love most about this program is the support, teaching, and friendship from my fellow co-residents. Faculty members also provide a vast wealth of knowledge across multiple areas of psychiatry.

Stephanie Wiafe, MD
PGY3 Resident

Our program offers a great blend of autonomy and support. We have the tools we need to learn and prepare for independent practice, and faculty members are always available and eager to help. Residents across all years not only work well together but form lasting friendships. I know I am being well prepared to succeed in a fascinating and ever-changing field.

Maddie Nykamp, MD
PGY4 Resident

William Greenleaf Eliot Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Our shared mission is to bring new innovations to the prevention of psychiatric conditions of childhood as well as to deliver clinical psychiatric care and innovative treatment to children and adolescents.

Why we love St. Louis

Here you’ll find charming neighborhoods, vibrant cultural and culinary scenes, and plenty of fun for nature-lovers and urbanites alike – all packed into an incredibly affordable city.

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Our collaborative, multidisciplinary approach fosters an exchange of ideas that increases our understanding of nervous system function and ultimately improves treatment for people with mental disorders.

Collaboration while looking at brain scans