Biography

Dr. Susan Ridley is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Art Therapy and Counseling. She developed the graduate Art Therapy and Counseling program (Fall 2021) and the graduate Mental Health Counseling program (Fall 2026). Ridley feels it is very important to create legacy by passing on the torch of knowledge and experience to aspiring art therapists and counselors. She is an artist, educator, and counselor with over 35 years’ experience working with diverse communities of various ages, abilities, and disabilities. She believes in the therapeutic power of creative expression to heal, empower, and transform. As a Celtic artist, she is inspired by nature. She specializes in painting landscapes, seascapes, and animals as well as traditional crafts and fiber arts. She is passionate about community art projects that bring people together in positive self-expression. Her interest includes arts-based and qualitative research, supervision, and program development.

Education

Ph.D. in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University, MA (2012)
M.A. in Mental Health Counseling with specialization in Art Therapy from Caldwell University, NJ (2017)
M.Sc. in Human Services and Organization Management Leadership, Springfield College, MA (2002)

Professional Experiences

LPC (WV), LPAT (OH), NCC, CPS, CPRP, ADC, REAT, ATR-BC

Most Recent Publications and Presentations

Ridley, S. (2026). Creative and reflective practices of clinical supervisors. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 98(2026), 102435. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197455626000225
Ridley, S. (Ed.). (2024). The Expressive use of masks across cultures and the healing arts. Routledge.
Ridley, S. (2024). Masks: Rites, rituals, and transformations. In S. Ridley (Ed.), The expressive use of masks across cultures and healing arts (pp. 7-10). Routledge.
Ridley, S., and Giller-Etheridge, T. (2024). The transformation of a radiation mask. In S. Ridley (Ed.), The expressive use of masks across cultures and healing arts (pp. 198-204). Routledge.
Ridley, S., Einstein, T., and McNutt, J. (2023). Exploring making art in community through zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Applied Arts and Health, 14(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1386/jaah
Ridley, S. (2022). The art of self-care. Open Access Journal of Addiction and Psychology, 5(3),1-3. https://doi.org/10.33552/OAJAP.2022.05.000614