Art Therapy Alumna Feature: Mia Ulmer

For this Alumni Feature, the Department of Art Education introduces alumna Mia Ulmer, who graduated from the Art Therapy Masters Program in August, 2017.

Ulmer is currently a Provisional Art Therapist and working as an Art Therapist Contractor in Columbia, SC, for four sites: Palmetto Health’s Adolescent Recovery Center, Palmetto Health’s Day Treatment Center, Palmetto Health Baptist’s Assertive Community Treatment, and Transitions Homeless Shelter. At such sites, she facilitates art therapy groups for adolescents with substance use and mental health disorders, adults with mental health disorders, and the homeless population with a range of mental health issues. In March, Ulmer will begin working full-time as a Counselor I for Palmetto Health’s Adolescent Recovery Center.

Moreover, Ulmer works as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Art at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, where she teaches two Art Appreciation courses. In addition to also working as an Art Instructor at Studio Cellar in Columbia, SC, she volunteers twice a week at the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center, where she offers individual and group art therapy sessions for geriatric veterans with dementia.

Ulmer also recently accepted a position on The Hive Community Circle‘s Board of Directors, which is an organization that uses prevention and intervention efforts to provide a safe community of support for marginalized and isolated survivors of sexual/intimate partner violence, and increases awareness in the community. Furthermore, she was a speaker at the SC Department of Corrections 4th Annual Behavioral Health Conference.

The Department is extremely proud of all Mia Ulmer has accomplished, appreciates her sharing her journey after graduation, and looks forward to her future successes and contributions to both the community and the Art Therapy field!