Nicole Bodnaresk is an Expressive Art Therapist and graduate of the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute’s post-baccalaureate program in Art Therapy, where she trained within a trauma-informed, relational, and client-centred framework. Her practicum experiences included facilitating grief groups and supporting individuals in a range of settings such as respite care for people with diversabilities, a retreat centre for women recovering from trauma, and working with children who have experienced sexual trauma.

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Nicole’s journey into art therapy began in 2016, guided by a deep belief in the transformative power of creativity. After facing significant health challenges and undergoing brain surgery in 2021, she made a wholehearted commitment to art therapy, a decision that grew from her own experience of healing through art.

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In her second year, while working on her thesis, Nicole was faced with another emergency brain surgery. This experience brought her work to life in profound ways and deepened her understanding of the healing process. Supporting others going through medical challenges, trauma, and recovery has since become central to her practice.

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As an Expressive Art Therapist, Nicole integrates music, spirituality, movement, and multi-modal creative expression into her sessions, creating spaces where art, sound, and story come together to support emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

She is especially passionate about helping individuals navigating trauma, illness, and medical care reconnect with their strength, voice, and sense of self through expressive arts.

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Today, Nicole works as an Art Therapist and serves as a health and mental health advocate, helping people access resources and creating well-being in both personal and professional environments. Dedicated to providing a safe environment, and emotional sustainability, she continues to create programs that weave art therapy, expressive arts, compassion, and advocacy to nurture healing and resilience.