If you’ve encountered Grace Palenik, clinical team supervisor, at any of Pacific Clinics’ locations, you’ve likely felt her quiet energy and creative spirit. What you may not know is the powerful impact she’s had on multiple agency programs through her work as a traveling art therapist.
As a pioneer for bringing art therapy to Pacific Clinics through Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) contracts, Grace challenges the status quo by embodying what’s possible when we use creativity to meet clients where they are. Rather than focusing on perfection or final products, she creates a space where individuals can explore their emotions, process experiences and rediscover themselves.
Grace brings art therapy groups to life across our agency, from our highest-touch clients and outpatient programs to older adult services and youth care. Her approach transcends age, diagnosis, and setting, grounded in the belief that everyone can benefit from the healing power of art. Grace has had many clients who’ve turned emotional breakthroughs into powerful artwork.
Her journey is as inspiring as her practice. Originally from Taiwan, she came to the United States to pursue a second bachelor’s in graphic design in New York and worked as a professional artist. Years later, after raising her children and inspired by her own family’s mental health journey, she returned to school in her mid-40s to become a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in art therapy. Now, with supplies in hand, she brings creative healing to clients across multiple campuses.
What sets Pacific Clinics apart is our commitment to embedding this approach in our services, including successfully advocating for LACDMH to cover art therapy. That level of institutional support is rare.
“Most LACDMH contract agencies don’t offer art therapy,” said Grace. “We’re not just delivering services, we’re leading. We’re advancing how mental health care can look.”
But growth isn’t without barriers. Many aspiring art therapists stop short of full licensure due to insufficient supervision opportunities, a critical and often costly step. To address this, Grace took it upon herself to pursue board certification to become a registered art therapy supervisor. “Now that I’m licensed, I can supervise and help others grow. That’s how we build a stronger, more creative workforce,” said Grace.
It’s a full-circle vision: support emerging therapists, expand access to innovative care and help clients discover healing in ways that go beyond words.
At Pacific Clinics, that vision is becoming a reality, one brushstroke at a time.
Want to learn more?
Art therapy groups are currently available at the La Via Wellness Center in South Pasadena (which is open to the public), West Covina, Asian Pacific Family Center and Arroyo. Contact 800-PC-CARES for more information.
