Founder, Researcher, and Community Program Advisor

Dr. Emily Nolan (she/they) is a board certified, licensed art psychotherapist, professional counselor, somatic experiencing practitioner, and a professor of practice in the Creative Arts Therapy program at Syracuse University in New York. Dr. Nolan has presented nationally and internationally, and written many academic publications. Her specialties include working with people and groups who have experienced trauma, and those needing help adjusting to life transitions.

Executive Director, Art Therapist

Erica Browne (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist who works to empower individuals and communities. Erica acknowledges intersectionality and practices from an anti-racist, feminist perspective. She provides trauma-informed art therapy to youth in Milwaukee Public Schools. Erica also offers individual therapy sessions at Bloom to adults. Her specializations include: parenting and postpartum support, trauma-processing, anxiety and depression. Erica believes supportive and attuned relationships are central to our individual and collective healing. Her artwork explores the convergence of relational art, social practice, and art therapy.

Art Therapist

Melissa Badertscher (she/her) is an art therapist and professional counselor. She has a master’s degree in both art therapy with emphasis in counseling and general psychology with specialization in child and adolescent development. Melissa has much experience working with children and adolescents and working with people in the autism community. She has experience working with people who have been touched by cancer including: Cancer patients undergoing treatment, caregivers, survivors, and those with terminal illness. Melissa is currently working with youth in our community programs, and is also accepting clients.

Art Therapist

Alex Zens (she/her) is an art therapist and mental health counselor who works with children ages 6-17. She is passionate about supporting children and their families through a person centered approach and believes healing occurs through the intersection of art & relationship. Alex works with children who may be struggling in school, experiencing anxiety & low self-esteem, or having trouble developing appropriate coping skills. Alex is not accepting new clients at this time.

Art Therapist

Brittany Mahlberg (she/her) is a registered art therapist and licensed professional counselor working with both adolescents and adults. Brittany strongly believes in the benefits of the creative process for growth and healing. Through a strengths-based and multicultural lens, Brittany understands that each individual has their own unique story, history, challenges and strengths. Brittany is dedicated to holding space for exploration and reflections unique to the individual’s goals and journey.

Brittany has experience working with individuals, couples, families and groups struggling with substance use disorders, trauma, life transitions, stress and anxiety. In addition to seeing individuals in Bloom’s office, Brittany is excited to be working with Bloom’s aging services.

Dance/Movement Therapist, Psychotherapist

Brooke Miller (she/her) holds a dual Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling and has worked with developing children, people with intellectual disabilities of all ages, adolescents, adults, and individuals with dementia and their caretakers. Her focus areas include: depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, identity, loss, and communication issues. Her approach is person centered and combines talk and body-based therapy to manage stress, cultivate mindfulness, and address individual needs.

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Movement is our first language— we start learning to communicate with our bodies before we are even born. Dance/movement therapy utilizes that first language to process our thoughts, feelings, and traumas, and develop healthy coping skills as we heal. This style of therapy offers a holistic approach to mental health to help integrate the mind, body, and spirit.

Art Therapist

Kailey Zodrow (she/her) has a master's degree in art therapy with a concentration in counseling. She has several years of experience as a school-based art therapist, as well as experience working with children, adolescents & their families in the autism community and older adults residing in a long-term care facility. Kailey strongly believes in the importance of providing students with a space to build positive, supportive relationships that allow for creative expression and processing within an educational setting. She is thrilled to be working with Bloom's art therapy program in partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools!

Art Therapist

Amanda Wright (she/they) is an art therapy specialist with a master’s degree in art therapy and counseling and a focus on grief and trauma. She is an LPC-IT candidate. Her background includes schools, community-based environments, groups, and one-on-one sessions with individuals ranging from teenagers to older adults. She is dedicated to empowering clients to explore the intersection between artistic expression and emotional healing.

Art Therapist

Kristen Kmetz (she/her) has a master's degree in art therapy and counseling and is an LPC-IT candidate. She has experience running community art therapy studios, as well working in schools with kids and adolescents. She also has experience working with individual clients for art therapy. She specializes in working with anxiety, depression, as well as grief. Kristen also specializes in helping people hone skills related emotional regulation, stress management and mindfulness. She strives to empower those she works with to lead more enriching and healthy lives.

Aging Specialist Coordinator

Trina Irish Kettenhofen (she/her) is our Aging Specialist Coordinator. Trina holds a graduate degree in art therapy and counseling and has been working with older adults and individuals experiencing progressive, long-term diseases that cause dementia for 10 years. She is dedicated to nurturing spaces that inspire creativity, belonging and empowerment for clients and their caregivers. Helping individuals unearth parts of themselves they’ve never had the space or time to nurture is central to her person-centered approach. She is ecstatic to be working with Bloom to create spaces for art therapy and expand accessibility to older adults and their caregivers throughout the Milwaukee community! Trina works with individuals through our community programs.

Office Manager

Vanessa Parker(she/her) is Bloom's office manager. She keeps Bloom running smoothly and manages all inquiries.