ABOUT PAINTED BRAIN
Arts Advocacy EnterprisePainted Brain creates lasting, community-based solutions to mental health challenges and the impact of social injustice through arts, advocacy, and enterprise.
At Painted Brain, we believe every mental health challenge has a hidden strength
What we Do
Our Programs and Services
PB offers a variety of programs focused on supporting the mental health communities of Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Tri-City Counties.
![Painted Brain - Community Arts Program - Reentry Through The Arts Program](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PB-community-arts-01.png)
Arts & Empathy
Art groups are utilized to create a sense of belonging and community. When we use art groups, we bring hope, communication, creativity, and opportunities for participation to Artists, Adults, Youth, and Families.
![Social Work and mental health](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Social-Work-and-mental-health.png)
Social Work
Social Workers support individuals in navigating complex systems, both the internal psychological system and our society’s under-resourced public services systems.
![Various outreach programs offered by Painted Brain to the local community in conjunction with FEMA and Calhope](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-22-at-1.46.52-PM.png)
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists support Adults, Youth, and Families experiencing functional limitations due to their mental health and develop health-promoting habits and routines.
![This Peer Tech art was created by a member of Painted Brain's artistic community](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/81612121_978685852531778_7493770147873823774_n.jpg)
Training
Workforce development education and training are provided in the following areas: digital health literacy, peer support specialist, social media, art, and industrial arts.
DIGITAL HEALTH LITERACY
Painted Brain’s digital health literacy training is a series of courses developed for peers that aims to increase digital health literacy among mental health consumers and the general public.Â
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Let us assist you by setting up a meeting with our development team. We can provide consultation, feedback, and a wealth of new ideas.Â
SUPPORT GROUPS
Painted Brain envisions all group activities, even art groups, as supportive in nature, but we also offer targeted support for specific topics.
COMMUNITY CENTER
You can access free workshops, materials, and resources for mental health, art, social work, and occupational therapy.
![painting_service_09 by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/painting_service_09.jpg)
Clinical Team
Occupational therapists
Occupational therapy services at Painted Brain also serve the pediatric, adolescent, and teenage populations.
![Two-artists-participating-at-Painted-Brains-Art-Cart-at-MacArthur-Park-in-Los-Angeles Two-artists-participating-at-Painted-Brains-Art-Cart-at-MacArthur-Park-in-Los-Angeles](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Two-artists-participating-at-Painted-Brains-Art-Cart-at-MacArthur-Park-in-Los-Angeles-e1678915635524.jpg)
About Our Clinical Team
Social Workers
As a profession, Social Work is by far the most diverse among mental health professionals, seeing both the person and the social and political environment in which they reside as opportunities for intervention.Â
Internships/Externships
In our history, Painted Brain has trained more than 60 social workers through our academic year internship, since 2009.Â
We partner with UCLA, CSUN, CSULB, Sacred Heart, Smith College and USC to provide internship experience and training.Â
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Painted Brain community?
Painted Brain’s community includes members with lived experiences with mental health challenges. We exist to provide a safe space for social interaction through the arts, workforce development training, and support. Our community encourages leadership and creativity.
Who runs Painted Brain’s community?
Painted Brain is a peer-run organization that hires and includes individuals with lived experiences with mental health at all levels of the organization. The community center has the support and presence of peer leaders, social work and occupational therapy staff, and interns providing activities and individualized support to motivated community members./p>
How do I become a part of the Painted Brain community?
Painted Brain’s community center is open to community members on a walk-in basis. Monday and Wednesday, 11 am – 3 pm. Those seeking to get involved can also join our Community Meeting’s Monday and Wednesday 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm. The meeting will provide information about the community and activities and the opportunity to discuss participant opportunities and challenges.
Why do we need the Painted Brain community?
Painted Brain began as a response to unmet social interaction needs throughout the mental health system. Mental illness significantly impacts social communication. Our ability to get our needs met depends mainly on our social skills. Painted Brain develops programming that promotes social interaction through the arts and workforce development in a safe environment. We need a place where people with extreme emotions and intense, non-typical mental experiences can come together and make something happen. We hope that Painted Brain is that place. Our potential is limitless.