Meet NICOLE, BOARD CERTIFIED ART THERAPIST (ATR-BC), LMFT
You’re already stronger than you think you are.
Explore your past, understand your present, create your future.
You’re in the right place.
I welcome you here.
You feel caught between worlds, never fully belonging anywhere... affecting your sense of self, your relationships, and your ability to move forward. This “in-betweenness” can feel isolating, whether from unresolved grief, trauma, or identity questions others can't see. Navigating these complex experiences, you desire healing but find yourself stuck in patterns that no longer serve you. Your emotions and creative potential feel blocked.
I invite you to explore how art therapy can reach the places within you that exist before and beyond language. Through creative expression and embodied awareness, we'll work together to connect these fragmented pieces and build an integrated sense of self.
My approach
I am warm and inclusive, inviting you to be creative in doing the deep work.
I work with adults navigating identity, grief, trauma, and relationships, including adoptees and creatives. As a Board Certified Art Therapist, I show up authentically, helping you understand yourself more deeply. Sessions blend creative and verbal methods at your pace, offering a space for you to express and explore your unique journey freely.
As an artist and adoptee myself, I honor your unique journey and bring both personal understanding and professional expertise to our work. I know the healing power of creative expression and authentic connection. You don't have to continue feeling caught in-between, and you don't have to do it alone.
My guiding principles
Holistic Healing
As an adoptee and adoption-competent art therapist integrating somatic work, I believe in the power of holistic healing. My approach recognizes the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and emotions, and aims to address the whole person. By combining art therapy and somatic techniques, we can tap into the body's wisdom and facilitate deep healing on multiple levels.
Client-Centered
Your unique needs, goals, and preferences are at the heart of our therapeutic journey. I embrace a client-centered approach, honoring your autonomy and collaborating with you every step of the way. Together, we will co-create a treatment plan that integrates art therapy and somatic work, tailored to your specific needs. This personalized approach empowers you to actively engage in your healing process and facilitates meaningful growth and transformation.
Trauma-Informed
Guided by my own lived experience as an adoptee and a comprehensive understanding of adoption-related trauma, I prioritize trauma-informed care in my practice. I create a safe and nurturing environment where you can explore your experiences without judgment or pressure. By integrating somatic techniques, we can effectively process and release stored trauma, enabling you to reclaim your sense of self and find healing from adoption-related wounds.
Training & Education
MA in Marital & Family with a Specialization in Clinical Art Therapy, Loyola Marymount University
MFA in Electronic Integrated Arts, Alfred University
BFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
slated B Arch, Virginia Tech
EMDR Trained, EMDR Institute
Basic Principles of Somatic Experiencing®
Community Resiliency Model (CRM®)
Social Emotional Arts (SEA) Certificate, Arts & Healing Initiative
LISTEN IN: ART AS A PATH TO HEALING
I've shared my experiences as an adoptee, artist, and therapist on a few podcasts, discussing how these identities inform my unique approach to healing. These conversations explore the intersection of creative expression and adoption-related challenges. Listen in as I discuss navigating in-between spaces, using art for healing, and finding integration through creative expression on AdopteesOn (2017), Unraveling Adoption (2023), and Thriving Adoptees (2023).