Susan, described as the “Mother of Sandplay in New Mexico,” did her process work, training and consultation with Cecil Burney until his death, then worked directly with Dora Kalff in Switzerland.  Susan was a founding member of Sandplay Therapists of America and worked with clients in San Diego.  She began providing sandplay process to New Mexico therapists while still living in San Diego and maintained two sandplay practices for a couple of years.  Following her relocation to New Mexico in 1992, she continued providing process, training, and consultation to the growing group of sandplay therapists.  She was instrumental in founding New Mexico Sandplay Society.

Susan’s life was one of love and passion, of adventure and deep meaning, of creativity and keen intellect, of wisdom and determination.  Susan was passionate about Kalffian sandplay.  In addition to working with therapists, Susan worked with and accompanied clients as they moved toward personal healing, growth and transformation.  Susan’s daughter Robin shares the memory of Susan suiting up to scuba dive, preparing to explore the wonders of the undersea world.  She relates this to Susan’s work in sandplay where Susan accompanied her clients through the depths of their psyches toward healing and transformation.  Susan practiced and taught Kalffian sandplay, with its focus on providing the free and protected space, acknowledging a spiritual source, and emphasizing experiences and heart. She was also an artist and art therapist and continued creating art throughout her years as a therapist and teacher.

We will miss Susan and her wisdom even as we carry on her legacy.  May her memory be a blessing.