ABOUT PAINTED BRAIN

Arts Advocacy Enterprise

Painted Brain creates lasting, community-based solutions to mental health challenges and the impact of social injustice through arts, advocacy, and enterprise.

GET INVOLVED!
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At Painted Brain, we believe every mental health challenge has a hidden strength

Testimonials

I will be looking forward for any other trainings that are offered that will help me in my future. Thank you for everything! The instructors again were so great they genuinely cared so much and have a lot of knowledge. Thanks for the experience! -Graduate, September 2023

–Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Training Graduate

"What an amazing experience I had taking the training! I absolutely love Angel Mercado! She really made the training exceptional. Her knowledge, skills, experience and love were felt throughout the course! I miss her! I’m hoping to take additional classes with Painted Brain in the future."

-Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Training Graduate

“I'm really impressed with [Painted Brain staff] teaching skills... I selected Painted Brain because county used you guys for some tech training... And I found them not only knowledgeable but kind, helpful and well versed in their own recovery. [Tiffany], Anne, Tristan all seem exactly the same. Whoever hires for Painted Brain seems to have a knack or intuition in who to hire. Using Painted Brain has never lead to disappointment.”

– Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Training Graduate

"Thank you for everything. I’ve learned so much so far and am recommending Painted Brain to any peer friends and colleagues.”

—Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Training Graduate

Painted Brain hosted the Lived Experience Advocacy & Diversity (LEAD) Regional Summit

–

Los Angeles on May 8th, 2023

at The California Endowment.

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

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.

 

More About PB's Art Groups
Social Work and mental health

Social Work

Social Workers support individuals in navigating complex systems, both the internal psychological system and our society’s under-resourced public services systems.

 

Social Work Internships at Painted Brain
Various outreach programs offered by Painted Brain to the local community in conjunction with FEMA and Calhope

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists support Adults, Youth, and Families experiencing functional limitations due to their mental health and develop health-promoting habits and routines.
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This Peer Tech art was created by a member of Painted Brain's artistic community

Training

Workforce development education and training are provided in the following areas: digital health literacy, peer support specialist, social media, art, and industrial arts.
Learn More about Painted Brain's Peer Tech Programs

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. 
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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.

 

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SUPPORT GROUPS

We envision all group activities, even art groups, as supportive in nature, but we also offer targeted support for specific topics.

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COMMUNITY CENTER

You can access free workshops, materials, and resources for mental health, art, social work, and occupational therapy.

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by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Occupational therapists

 

Occupational therapy services at Painted Brain also serve the pediatric, adolescent, and teenage populations.

View the Pediatric O.T. Brochure
Two-artists-participating-at-Painted-Brains-Art-Cart-at-MacArthur-Park-in-Los-Angeles

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. 
Contact A Social Worker
Internship for media and journalism undergraduates

Internships/Externships

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. 
In our history, Painted Brain has trained more than 60 social workers through our academic year internship, since 2009. 

We partner with UCLA, CSUN, CSULB, Sacred Heart, Smith College and USC to provide internship experience and training. 

Learn More About USC Masters in Social Work Internships

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.

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