Pacific Clinics: About Us

When Susan Mandel, Ph.D. was hired as President and Chief Executive Officer in 1980, what was then Pasadena Child Guidance Clinic had a staff of 30 and annual budget of $800,000 to its current position as one of the largest private non-profit outpatient behavioral healthcare agencies in the West, now with more than 1,200 staff at 80 locations in five counties and a budget of $95 million. Prior to joining the agency, Dr. Mandel had a successful tenure in Alameda County, serving as its Director of Mental Health for five years, the first woman and first non-psychiatrist to hold the position.

Throughout her 40-year career in behavioral healthcare, she has never lost her passion to bring clinical best practices in mental health to consumers and families. Her concern for broader community behavioral health issues led her to organize community agencies to represent non-profit organizations in shaping policy. She was the founding president of the Association of Community Mental Health Agencies (ACHSA) and served as a member of its Board of Directors until 1999 and was founding president of the California Council of Community Mental health Agencies (CCCMHA). She has also served as Chair of the California Mental Health Planning Council and currently leads its Human Resources Committee. A member and former chair of the Board of the Human Services Unemployment Trusts (HSUT), a pooled unemployment insurance trust created by and for non-profit organizations, Dr. Mandel now serves on its Trust Advisory Council. She is a licensed psychologist in the State of California.