DR. ROBERT S. FINK

Office Hours
Wednesday, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. and by appointment.

Courses Taught
CNS 680, Counseling in Infancy and Early Childhood CNS 681, Counseling the Older Child and Adolescent CNS 682, Fieldwork in Child and Adolescent Counseling CNS 672, Seminar in Counseling Supervision CNS 664, Counseling Practicum CNS 520, Theories of Counseling

Personal Information
Married, with two sons and three vibrant grandchildren. Special pleasures in my life include getting together with my globally dispersed family, good conversation, reading (particularly fiction), writing poetry, tennis, biking, art, photography and travel.

Interests
My current research interests include clinical studies of Vincent van Gogh, Abraham Lincoln and other chronically depressed individuals who drew on their depressive experience transformatively to have a creative influence on society and culture. Also, I am writing a book on clinical principles and strategies in therapeutic counseling with clients who are habitually attracted to death. A third area of special interest involves the role of the relationship in psychotherapy and supervision as a vehicle for change. I am passionate about good clinical teaching and derive much satisfaction from helping practitioners—at all levels of development—to elevate their professional practice and self-confidence. As a clinician, I have worked with a broad range of clients and clinical issues. Special practice areas included traumatized individuals and families, troubled children and adolescents, personality disordered adults and survivors of murder victims.

Degrees
Ph.D.(Psychology), 1974, State University of New York at Buffalo BA, 1969, University of Michigan

Publications
Most recent: Fink, R. (2005). What Murder Leaves Behind: Special Considerations in the Treatment of Surviving Family Members. In J. Webber, D.D. Bass & R. Yep (Eds.), Terrorism, trauma and tragedies: A counselor’s guide to preparing and responding (pp. 103-108), (2nd Ed.) Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association Foundation.

I am currently writing a book. The working title is: Psychotherapy With Clients Habitually Attracted To Death: Perspectives, Strategies and Conundrums.