Pamela Ullmann, MS, LPAT, ATR-BC, ATCS is a licensed professional art therapist, board-certified art therapist, certified art therapy supervisor, and experienced clinical leader with 30 years of practice in art therapy, mental health treatment, program development, and clinical supervision.
Pamela is the founder of ATCEA (Art Therapy Continuing Education Academy) and brings a career-long commitment to ethical, clinically grounded, and compassionate art therapy education. Her work has spanned pediatric medical care, autism services, palliative and hospice care, eating disorder treatment, acute psychiatric care, community-based services, and clinical program leadership.
Professional Background
Pamela has held clinical, supervisory, and administrative roles across hospitals, behavioral health programs, pediatric care settings, nonprofit organizations, and private practice. Her experience includes direct art therapy services, interdisciplinary collaboration, clinical assessment and documentation, staff and intern supervision, program design, grant reporting, family support, and training.
Her recent clinical work includes providing art therapy support to hospitalized pediatric patients through RWJ-Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, where she collaborates with medical teams to support the psychosocial needs of children and families. She has also served in mental health and eating disorder treatment settings, including RWJ Barnabas Health Somerset and Saint Clare’s Behavioral Health, where she managed creative arts therapy programming for adults with acute psychiatric and neurological needs.
Pamela’s broader leadership experience includes work with the Autism Medical Home at Hackensack University Medical Center, the Butterflies Palliative Care Program at Valley Home Care, Heartsong, Inc., and Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, where she developed and directed art therapy, child life, therapeutic activities, and family-centered support programs.
Through her independent work, Pamela has provided art therapy consultation, clinical supervision, program development, home-based services, training, writing, and consulting for healthcare facilities, schools, nonprofit organizations, care management programs, and artists-in-residence initiatives.
Clinical and Teaching Focus
Pamela’s professional interests include:
- Ethical art therapy practice
- Clinical supervision and reflective practice
- Art therapy with children, adolescents, and families
- Pediatric medical art therapy
- Autism and neurodevelopmental differences
- Palliative care, hospice, grief, and legacy art
- Acute psychiatric care and interdisciplinary treatment
- Adaptive art therapy techniques
- Program development, documentation, and clinical leadership
Her teaching style is grounded in real-world clinical judgment, compassion, creativity, and respect for the complexity of therapeutic work. ATCEA reflects her belief that continuing education should be practical, thoughtful, ethically responsible, and directly useful to art therapists in the field.
Education and Credentials
Pamela earned a Master of Science in Art Therapy from the College of New Rochelle and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Boston University, with a minor in art history and psychology. She also completed graduate coursework in community counseling at Montclair State University.
Her professional credentials include:
- Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) — New Jersey Board of Creative Arts and Activities Therapies
- Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) — American Art Therapy Association
- Certified Art Therapy Supervisor (ATCS) — American Art Therapy Association
- Former Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) — New York State
- Former Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
- Disaster Relief Crisis Counselor training and certification
- New Jersey Teacher of Art certification
Publications, Presentations, and Professional Leadership
Pamela has contributed to the field through writing, presentations, media features, and professional association leadership. Her publications include a chapter in Art Therapy in Healthcare, edited by Cathy Malchiodi, titled “Adaptive Art Therapy with Children with Multiple Disabilities and Complex Medical Issues,” as well as an article for FUSION: Online Magazine for the Art Therapy Profession on art therapy with children with autism.
She has presented nationally and regionally on topics including art therapy for children with autism, adaptive art therapy techniques, art therapy for children with physical disabilities, and the development of art therapy programs for children with complex medical and cognitive needs.
Pamela has also served in leadership roles with the New Jersey Art Therapy Association, including as president, president-elect, and secretary.
Founder’s Perspective
Pamela created ATCEA to support art therapists and related mental health professionals with continuing education that is clinically meaningful, ethically grounded, and connected to the realities of practice. Her courses draw from decades of experience working with clients, families, students, supervisees, interdisciplinary teams, and organizations.
At the heart of ATCEA is Pamela’s belief that art therapy education should help professionals think clearly, practice responsibly, and remain connected to the human, creative, and relational dimensions of the work.