July 18, 2025
As part of our Featured Member series, we talked to Dr. Susan Ridley, LPC (WV), LPAT (OH), NCC, CPS, CPRP, ADC, REAT, ATR-BC. As an art therapist, Dr. Ridley has over 35 years’ experience working with diverse communities of various ages, abilities and disabilities including substance abuse problems, mental health issues, developmental disabilities, and physical impairments. She is also an artist herself and particularly loves community arts and mural painting (the bigger the better!)
Dr. Ridley is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Art Therapy and Counseling Department at West Liberty University, which is an AATA Affiliate Member. We caught up with Dr. Ridley about West Liberty’s art therapy program and what makes it special.
Q: Tell us about West Liberty University.
Dr. Ridley: West Liberty University is a forward-looking, four-year public university steeped in a rich heritage as West Virginia’s oldest institution of higher education.
Our core values really start at the university level through the mission and vision statements that guide our educational mandate.
This includes providing experiential learning and personalized support to students and providing innovative programs that prepare graduates for work in their community.
The University was the first to create an undergraduate creative arts therapy major and the first to develop a graduate art therapy and counseling (ATC) dual credentialed program in West Virginia.
Q. What makes WLU’s graduate art therapy program unique?
Dr. Ridley: Since art therapy and counseling are both master-level professions, developing a graduate program that meets the diverse needs of students juggling work, life and family commitments, and personal challenges requires a flexible approach.
That’s why our graduate courses are virtual synchronous Zoom evening classes designed for working professionals.
The program utilizes a cohort model to encourage peer learning and support and builds community between students as they complete the program together. Students can slow down at any time since they are encouraged to work at their own pace.
Survival on an Island project
Service Learning
Q. Could you share details about the 3-day virtual residency?
The virtual residency each Fall begins on a Friday evening, which is orientation for incoming students. Saturday and Sunday is for all cohorts and includes workshops with faculty and the graduate art exhibition presented by students. Students are required to create a portfolio of work and share their artist statement and creative process to the student community. In their last semester, students present their capstone project in a virtual graduation ceremony where they also share a group artwork project that represents their cohort experience. Both these activities are designed for students to “pass on the torch” and celebrate their journey towards becoming an art therapist and counselor.
Q. Does WLU also have an undergraduate art therapy program?
Yes, we have an undergraduate Creative Arts Therapy program which has an on-campus experience and we just started an accelerated pathway program which is virtual for students with an associate degree and studio art classes and/or psychology classes. The pathway gives students an opportunity to finish up with an undergraduate Creative Arts Therapy degree, and if interested, to continue their education with a graduate ATC degree.
Q. What’s the Bridge program in art therapy?
The ATC Bridge Program saves students time and money by allowing them to take 9-credits in graduate ATC courses and it counts for both degrees. Students are charged at the undergraduate rate and the courses are applied to their CAT degree as electives.
Once students complete their undergraduate degree, they are accepted into the ATC program and those courses are then rolled into their graduate.
Senior Projects (above)
Stitching Stories (right)
Q. Finally, how can people connect with West Liberty University to learn more?
Our program’s website is https://westliberty.edu/art-therapy/.
You can learn more about our outstanding faculty members on this page and contact me directly here. We look forward to telling you more about our programs!