Susan Ridley (Cavaciuti) is a Expressive Arts Consultant who provides
services to culturally diverse communities. Susan has over 17 years
experience, both clinically and professionally, working with adults and
children with various difficulties including traumatic events, physical
and learning disabilities, mental health problems, substance abuse,
and a variety of health related difficulties. She designs creative and
educational programs which encourages creativity, personal
development, and positive self expression.
services to culturally diverse communities. Susan has over 17 years
experience, both clinically and professionally, working with adults and
children with various difficulties including traumatic events, physical
and learning disabilities, mental health problems, substance abuse,
and a variety of health related difficulties. She designs creative and
educational programs which encourages creativity, personal
development, and positive self expression.
| Susan Ridley, M.S. CEO/Founder |
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Mission Arts and Health is dedicated to using the Expressive Arts as a healing modality, to enhancing quality of life and to activating the will to be well through positive self-expression. Objectives * To provide a supportive network of organizations dedicated to the healing Arts and Health Care. * To raise awareness of community organizations and resources that focus on prevention as well as treatment. * To provide training, education and dissemination of research and best practices in the field of Expressive Arts Therapy. |
Susan is dedicated to bringing art into the community and believes that "the primary purpose
of Art is to heal. That the artist expresses not only their feelings and emotions, but their
journey through their suffering – from the pit of despair to the realization that they are loved,
so that the viewer is uplifted and inspired to positively view and express their own journey,
which in turn will inspire others."
As a Celtic artist, Susan captures light and movement in her work, striving to create 3-
dimensional images in a variety of media: pastels, oils, acrylics and mixed media. Her
distinct style, love of color, and dramatic composition makes her paintings a favorite with
private collectors. She is an international artist, and has exhibited in France, Great Britain
and the United States. Susan is also a published illustrator whose credits include: “My
Whole Foods ABC’s” (a picture book for children), “Stevia Sweet Recipes: Sugar-Free
Naturally!” “Natural Beauty Basics” and “Taste Life! The Organic Choice.” Her first
individually authored book, “Someone Hurt Me,” is a picture book for children with a history
of trauma and abuse.
Susan graduated from Portsmouth University, England, 1987, with a BA Art and Design.
From commercial photography and graphic design, to Martial Arts, and Expressive Arts,
Susan has developed a wide range of skills that she uses to improve the quality of life of
those she serves. As a Expressive Arts Consultant in England, Susan worked with diverse
communities (see client list) and continued her studies in Art Therapies at The Arts-Health
Academy, graduating in 1998. Susan moved to the United States in June 1998, where she
took up the post of Creative Arts Coordinator at the Community Support Program, MA, a day
program for those suffering from Mental Health and Substance Abuse. She then moved to
the Bronx, NY in February 2001 working as an Assistant Director of Therapeutic
Recreation/Dementia Activities Coordinator, at Providence Rest Nursing Home.
Susan continued her studies and graduated with a Masters of Science (Human Services)
from Springfield College, MA, in December 2002. Susan moved to New Jersey to take the
post of Activity Director at Windsor Gardens Adult Day Care in April 2005. In March 2006,
Susan started Arts and Health, LLC, specializing in providing consulting services,
Expressive arts, murals, cultural arts and educational programs to children, adults and frail
elders.
Certifications: REAT (Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, IEATA)
CPRP (Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner, USPRA)
of Art is to heal. That the artist expresses not only their feelings and emotions, but their
journey through their suffering – from the pit of despair to the realization that they are loved,
so that the viewer is uplifted and inspired to positively view and express their own journey,
which in turn will inspire others."
As a Celtic artist, Susan captures light and movement in her work, striving to create 3-
dimensional images in a variety of media: pastels, oils, acrylics and mixed media. Her
distinct style, love of color, and dramatic composition makes her paintings a favorite with
private collectors. She is an international artist, and has exhibited in France, Great Britain
and the United States. Susan is also a published illustrator whose credits include: “My
Whole Foods ABC’s” (a picture book for children), “Stevia Sweet Recipes: Sugar-Free
Naturally!” “Natural Beauty Basics” and “Taste Life! The Organic Choice.” Her first
individually authored book, “Someone Hurt Me,” is a picture book for children with a history
of trauma and abuse.
Susan graduated from Portsmouth University, England, 1987, with a BA Art and Design.
From commercial photography and graphic design, to Martial Arts, and Expressive Arts,
Susan has developed a wide range of skills that she uses to improve the quality of life of
those she serves. As a Expressive Arts Consultant in England, Susan worked with diverse
communities (see client list) and continued her studies in Art Therapies at The Arts-Health
Academy, graduating in 1998. Susan moved to the United States in June 1998, where she
took up the post of Creative Arts Coordinator at the Community Support Program, MA, a day
program for those suffering from Mental Health and Substance Abuse. She then moved to
the Bronx, NY in February 2001 working as an Assistant Director of Therapeutic
Recreation/Dementia Activities Coordinator, at Providence Rest Nursing Home.
Susan continued her studies and graduated with a Masters of Science (Human Services)
from Springfield College, MA, in December 2002. Susan moved to New Jersey to take the
post of Activity Director at Windsor Gardens Adult Day Care in April 2005. In March 2006,
Susan started Arts and Health, LLC, specializing in providing consulting services,
Expressive arts, murals, cultural arts and educational programs to children, adults and frail
elders.
Certifications: REAT (Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, IEATA)
CPRP (Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner, USPRA)
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| Arts and Health Newsletter |