May 25, 2017
Emily Nolan, DAT, ATR-BC, LPC, is a full-time assistant professor at Mount Mary University and President-Elect of the Wisconsin Art Therapy Association (WATA). In 2012, she created Bloom: Center for Art and Integrated Therapies, LLC, a studio art therapy practice in Milwaukee, WI. As director of the studio, Emily sees clients in private sessions and develops and oversees the community art therapy programs. She is an active member of the AATA at both the local and national level. As a member of the Wisconsin Government Affairs Committee special project in licensure. Emily says that she feels “Wisconsin is supported at the national level in our efforts to amend our license to have parity with counselors.”
She earned her Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling Psychology from Adler School of Professional Psychology in 2005 and her Doctorate of Art Therapy from Mount Mary University in 2014. Emily is dedicated to working with people who have experienced trauma and have been marginalized and strives to help them feel seen, heard, and understood.
For the future of the profession, Emily hopes that “art therapy becomes readily available to everyone,” and she has built her career on that vision. She explains, “Art therapists at Bloom work with people who have insurance, who don’t have insurance, who have state insurance or wrap around care, and provide community programs and studios that are either free or invite a small donation.”
“Brave Space” by Emily Nolan, 2013. Mixed Media.
Artist Statement: I created this image in response to opening Bloom. I felt I had entered into a brave space after feeling the vulnerability of taking such a leap. I had to trust that creating such a place in Milwaukee was needed and would be received by the community.