Faculty

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Education & Research Building

Mary Ritchie is a graduate from Eastern Virginia Medical School, with a Master's of Science in Art Therapy in 1997 and from James Madison University with a Bachelor's of Science in Art in 1995, after completing studio art foundations and sculpture work at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1991-1993. Currently, Mary Ritchie works as an Art Therapist with adolescents in a detention facility. Mary Ritchie serves the State Operated Programs with the Virginia Department of Education to train Art and Music Therapists in best practice, ethics, and therapeutic boundaries in residential settings and education programs served by the state. Mary Ritchie serves as a mentor to new Art Therapists employed in State Operated Programs. Mary Ritchie has propelled the field of art therapy by encouraging the hiring of Expressive therapists in education programs in detention facilities, documenting standards of practice in writing, contributing articles to newsletters, and currently developing standards and curriculum for art and music therapists in education programs as a part of the regular school schedule as opposed to IEP related services.

Throughout her career, Mary Ritchie has worked as an Art Therapist in residential, in home, community mental health, transitional services, and private practice settings with a focus on the treatment of trauma. Mary Ritchie is a Registered Art Therapist (1999), Licensed Professional Counselor (2000) and EMDR Level II certified. Mary Ritchie is also completing an Education Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia. Mary Ritchie is a practicing artist in mixed media painting. Mary Ritchie has over 17 years of experience practicing art therapy and education. Mary Ritchie joined the Graduate Art Therapy and Counseling Program at EVMS as Adjunct Faculty in Spring 2012.