.png)
The Team
Therapists and Office Manager
Erica Browne
Executive Director
MS, LPC ATR
Erica Browne she/her is an artist, art therapist, and licensed professional counselor. She provides trauma-informed art therapy to youth in the Milwaukee Public Schools through a restorative therapeutic program. Erica also offers individual therapy sessions to teens and adults. Her specializations include: parenting and postpartum support, adjustment to life transitions, survivors of sexual assault/abuse, anxiety and depression. Erica accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and self-pay clients.
When Erica started with Bloom as an intern at the beginning of 2017, she was inspired by Bloom’s investment in community-based art therapy. Under the mentorship and supervision of Dr. Emily Nolan, Erica learned how to cultivate relationships with people and communities to offer accessible art therapy services with integrity, skill, compassion, and empathy. Erica believes positive, supportive relationships are central to our individual and collective healing. Her artistic work explores the intersection of relational art, social practice, and art therapy.
Emily Nolan
Founder & Director of
Community Based Services and Research
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.
Amber Thomas
MS Art Therapy, LPC IT
Amber Thomas she/her is an Art Therapist, with a background in trauma work and community-based art therapy. Amber is focused on a community centered approach providing clients tools to navigate emotional regulation and social emotional learning. She is a practicing artist and the owner of Brush Box a community art-based company, focused on using art as a modality for expression and healing. Amber works as an art therapist for Bloom’s community programs and is not accepting clients.
Katherine
Dannecker Stevens
MS LPC, ATRP
Katherine Dannecker Stevens she/her is an art therapist and licensed professional counselor who works primarily with adults and aging services. Katherine takes a client centered approach to therapy and believes in the communicative power of art within the therapeutic process. Katherine has experience working with individuals with Autism spectrum disorders, behavioral issues, perinatal and postpartum mood disorders, depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma as well as art therapy experience in community based settings. Katherine runs community groups within aging services in addition to seeing adult clients. Katherine is not accepting clients at this time.
Melissa Badertscher
MS LPC, ATRP
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 works with individuals and families using a client-centered approach and offers support for those experiencing loss.
Alex Zens
LPC IT ATR
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.
Amanda Wright
Art Therapy Specialist
Amanda (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 and ATR-P 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.
Vanessa Parker
Office Manager
Vanessa Parker she/her is Bloom's fabulous office manager. She keeps Bloom running smoothly and manages all inquiries.
