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
Additional Training
- 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
- 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 4: Being and Doing In the World. 2012, Boston & London: Shambhala.
- Creating Mandalas: For Insight, Healing, and Self-Expression. 1991. 2010, Boston & London: Shambhala.
- The Mandala Workbook. 2009. Boston & London: Shambhala.
- "Mandalas and the Gestalt of Self.” The International Gestalt Journal. Fall, 2007. Edited by Edward W. L. Smith.
- 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.
- "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
- Plum Blossom Studio
- 9/01 - present
Private Practice
Art psychotherapy, supervision, expressive therapies workshops, mandala intensives- Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta
- 7/01 - 12/09
- 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
New in the GalleryPhotos from Entering the Circle 2011
Calendar
February 11, 2012
"Creating Mandalas,"
A One Day WorkshopGreensboro, NC
$90 (limited enrollment), CE’s applied for
For information: www.athinkingchurch.org
Friday, February 24, 2012
"Mandala: The Natural Center," A Lecture
Museum of Art,
Oglethorpe University,
Atlanta, GAFor information: www.oglethorpe.edu
March 2, 2012
April 27, 2012
August 24, 2012
November 2, 2012noon - 4:00PM
“Creating Mandalas,” a Workshop ExperiencePlum Blossom Studio
Decatur, GA
June 10 - 15, 2012
“Entering the Circle:
A Five Day Mandala Intensive”with Marilyn Clark
Plum Blossom Studio
Decatur, GA
Pond at Plum Blossom Studio