EXHIBIT 23.1




                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-100635) pertaining to the 1997 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock
Option Plan for Key Personnel of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. of our report dated
March 7, 2003, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 2002.


                                                   /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Nashville, Tennessee
March 25, 2003