After having studied Fine Art at The Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, Nicole had a vision of combining her love for art, with her other love for psychology. Nicole completed her graduate level training program at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.

Prior to establishing Art Psychotherapy Counselling Services™ Mrs. Brickell facilitated Art Therapy at a Children's Aid Treatment home and a mental health facility, in the greater Toronto area, where she completed her Thesis titled 'The Effectiveness of Art Therapy with First Psychotic Break Adolescents'.

Mrs. Brickell has worked extensively with clients using the Art Therapy process as a means to decipher the individuals inner world, allowing them to gain a better understanding of their experiences.