Susanne F. Fincher

Susanne Fincher is a Jungian psychotherapist, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Registered Art Therapist in practice with Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta. . An experienced mental health professional, Susanne has produced several books and articles based on her work.

For more than 25 years Susanne has pursued a passionate interest in mandalas. Her journey has led her to explore Jungian psychology, Native American shield making, Tibetan Buddhism, Dances of Universal Peace, and pilgrimages to Stonehenge, Iona and other sacred sites in Europe and the U.S.

Susanne is known internationally as an engaging lecturer and workshop presenter. Through her presentations she has introduced thousands of people to the spiritual, psychological, and health enhancing dimensions of creating mandalas.

Education:

• Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana BA Sociology 1962
• Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas MA Sociology 1966
• Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
• Coursework toward MA Counseling 1990-1993

Additional Training

• Art Therapy Apprenticeship, Lila Bonner Miller, MD, Atlanta, Georgia 1976-1978
• Mandala Assessment Certificate training, Joan Kellogg, 1981, 1982, 1983
• Professional Certifications, Memberships, and Honors:
• Professional Counselor (Georgia License #1776, 1993)
• Registered Art Therapist (ATR #79-051, 1979)
• American Counseling Association
• American Art Therapy Association
• Georgia Art Therapy Association (GATA)
• GATA Distinguished Services Award 1993
• Elementary School Counselor Certification 1992

Publications

• Coloring Mandalas 3: Circles of the Sacred
  Feminine (2006) Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc.
• Coloring Mandalas 2 (2003) Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc.
• Coloring Mandalas: For Insight, Healing, and Self-Expression. 2000. Boston & London: Shambhala.
• Menopause: The Inner Journey. 1995. Boston & London: Shambhala.
• Creating Mandalas: For Insight, Healing, and Self-Expression. 1991. Boston & London: Shambhala.
• "Using Rituals to Define the School Community." With Fran Mullis. Elementary School Counseling and Guidance. April, 1996.
• "Art Therapy: Another View." Atlanta Art Worker’s Coalition Newspaper. Nov-Dec, 1979.
• "Art Therapy: Tapping the Creative Process in Health Care." Southwind. May, 1979.

Employment

Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta, 7/01 - present

Art Therapist / Counselor

Counseling with individuals, couples, and groups. Art Therapy with groups, classes, and workshops. Specialties include women's issues, grief and loss, spirituality, and mind/body healing.

First Presbyterian Church 4-01 to 12-06

Art Therapist: Establishing and directing art therapy group for de-institutionalized mentally ill, many with substance abuse problems

The Psychotherapy Group, Bogart (Athens), Georgia 2-96 to 1/02.

Private Practice

Counseling and art therapy with individuals, couples, and groups; specialties include women’s issues, grief and loss, spirituality, and mind/body healing

Journey Into Wholeness Conferences, Georgia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas 5-78 to 11-97

Art Therapist

Coordinating conference workshops; presenting mandala workshops for personal growth, creativity enhancement, and spiritual enrichment; attending lectures and workshops of Robert Johnson, Marian Woodman, Paula Reeves, Jean Shinoda Bolen, John Sanford, Murray Stein, Lauren Artress, Morton Kelsey, Mary Loomis, June Singer, Joan Kellogg, Basil Braveheart, Meinrad Craighead

Atlanta Art Therapy Institute, Conyers, Georgia 8-93 to 9-01

Private Practice: Art therapy with individuals and groups, workshop presentations, tours of sacred sites.

Families First, Conyers, Georgia 4-95 to 12-96

Counselor

Brief counseling with individuals, couples, families, and groups with problems in relationships, career, substance abuse, eating disorders

Charter Winds Hospital, Athens, Georgia 6-91 to 8- 94

Art Therapist

Leading groups for adults, adolescents, and children hospitalized for psychiatric, behavior, and substance abuse problems

Atlanta Art Therapy Institute, Atlanta, Georgia 1-79 to 1-84

Founder/Director

Creating graduate level training program in art therapy; teaching and supervising art therapy students

Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 9-80 to 1-82

Instructor

"Introduction to Art Therapy" graduate / undergraduate level course

Wesley Homes, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia 4-77 to 8-79

Assistant Activity Director

Creating and directing therapeutic arts program for elderly with physical and mental problems

Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, Georgia 3 - 77 to 1 - 81, 4 - 01 to 12 - 05

Art Therapist

Establishing and directing art therapy group for de-institutionalized mentally ill, many with substance abuse problems

Charter Peachford Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia 1-75 to 5-76

Mental Health Assistant

Performing milieu therapy, intake assessment and facilitating group therapy; instructing in therapeutic arts program for adult and adolescent psychiatric inpatients

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