Psychological Studies of Art and Artists

Upcoming Conference

Upcoming Conference

Creativity and Madness Returns to Santa Fe!

August 1-4, 2024

Our conference offers 16 hours of ACCME and NASW-accredited CEs with the ability to add an additional 18 CEs with optional workshops.

The conference will be in person at the convention center and will be available virtually on demand.

Please scroll below for confirmed presentations, hotel information, scholarship, and volunteer opportunities.

Workshops are almost full.

For support with Airfare and travel plans contact Paul at The Travel Station at 1-800-990-2282

For shuttle service from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, we recommend using Groome Transportation.

None of the planners or speakers of this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Presentation Schedule

You can click on any of the speaker names to read their bio and a preview of their presentation.

Thursday, August 1, 2024

8:30 a.m. Psychedelics, Creativity and Healing

Mitchell Liester, M.D.

9:30 a.m. The Healing Power of Musical Theatre Classics, From Rodgers & Hammerstein to Stephen Sondheim

Roy Rogosin, BA, MA and Shahna Rogosin, M.D.

10:45 a.m. The Body Within the Mind: Understanding our Psyche Through the Lens of Ayurveda

Sudha Kailas, M.D., Ph.D.

11:45 a.m. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: A Study of Perseverance and Creativity

Eleanor Hamilton, Ph.D., LPC

2- 5 p.m. Optional Workshop, In Person and Virtual: Morality and Ethics in Practice - What Comes First, the Chicken or the Egg?

Joyce Stamp Lilly, RN, JD

2- 5 p.m. Optional Workshop, In Person Only: Complementary Medicine Techniques for Healing

Mitchell Liester, M.D. and Rafael Yamberla

Friday, August 2, 2024

8:30 a.m. The Link Between Depression, Diet, and the Gut

John Goff, M.D.

9:30 a.m. Using Language and Story to Heal

Carrie Nassif, Ph.D.

10:45 a.m. Mandalas – Visual Meditations for Self-Regulation, Resilience and Brain Integration

Debra Alvis, Ph.D.

11:45 a.m. How Art, Community and Osprey Can Help Heal Our Planet

Pamela Lowell, MSW, LICSW

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop, In Person Only: Healing the Self through Self Portraits

Amy Stein, MFA

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop, In Person and Virtual: Exploring the Relationship Between Mental and Physical Health and How Gut Health Impacts Overall Well-Being - A Practical Guide to Healing from the Inside Out

John Goff, M.D., Sudha Kailas, M.D., Ph.D., and Stephenie Riley, N.D.

Saturday, August 3, 2024

8:30 a.m. Narrative Therapy in the Age of Neuroscience: Change Your Story, Change Your Brain

Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D., Ph.D. and Barbara Mainguy, MA, MSW

9:30 a.m. Enhancing Emotional Well-Being Through Music: The Link Between Mood and Music as Seen on Film

Henry Powell, M.D.

10:45 a.m. The Hero’s Journey: Navigating The Emotional and Psychological Challenges of Chronic Illness

Sandra Block, Ph.D.

11:45 a.m. To Know or Not to Know: That Has Been the Question

Ron Goldman, EdD

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop, In Person Only: Creating Mandalas – Applying Skills for Emotional Regulation, Mood Stability and the Resolution of Internal Conflict

Debra Alvis, Ph.D.

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop, In Person and Virtual: Narrative Therapy Update: Exercises for Transformation

Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D. and Barbara Mainguy, MA, MSW

Sunday, August 4, 2024

8:30 a.m. The Creative Mind & Happiness: Transforming Trauma Through Creativity

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D., MFT, SEP

9:30 a.m. In Pursuit of Creativity: Building Resilience through Meaningful Moments

Kristina McMenamy, PsyD

10:45 a.m. The Contemporary Artist as Shaman

Denita Benyshek, Ph.D.

11:45 a.m. Phoenix Rising- Transmuting Shame into Creativity!

Sheila Rubin, MA, LMFT, RDT/BCT

Hotel Options

To reserve your rooms, click on the name of your desired hotel. The links below direct you to the websites for each hotel. Rooms fill up quickly, be sure to book your rooms well in advance of the conference.

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Fe, Rooms available at $159/night including parking. Complimentary 5:30 p.m. Kickback.

The Sage Hotel, Rooms available at $200/night. Does not include a mandatory $15/night Xperience Xclusives fee which includes breakfast, shuttle service to the Santa Fe Plaza, and parking.

The Drury Hotel, Rooms available at $299/night. Includes hot breakfast each day, evening drinks and snacks, and WiFi throughout the hotel. Use Group Code 10092788 in order to book.

Inn of the Governors Rooms available at $260/night. Includes Mountain sunrise breakfast, parking and welcome sherry and biscotti. Call 1-800-234-4534 and use Group Code AIME Creativity and Madness 2024 in order to book.

La Posada de Santa Fe, Rooms available at $359/night. Includes beverages, yoga classes, entertainment, and art talks. High-speed WiFi. Shuttle service within a two-mile radius, 24-hour fitness center, outdoor heated saline swimming pool. 10% discount on spa services. Call 1-800-234-4534 and use Group Code AIMED Creativity and Madness in order to book.

Accredited continuing education conferences for mental health care professionals
Accredited continuing education conferences for mental health care professionals
Accredited continuing education conferences for mental health care professionals

Saint Francis Cathedral, Georgia O’Keefe Museum, Santa Fe Opera House

Enjoy The Following At The Santa Fe Opera

Thursday, August 1, 2024, 8:00 pm - La Traviata

Friday, August 2, 2024, 8:00 pm - Der Rosenkavalier

Saturday, August 3, 2024, 8:00 pm - Don Giovanni

https://www.santafeopera.org/calendar/

2023 Conference Comments

2023 Conference Comments

Click the arrows below to see comments from the 2023 conference.

  • "I started going to these illuminating conferences many years ago, and found them so intellectually stimulating, they always give a lift to my spirit. Very much looking forward to the next conference.”

    -Jack Salem

  • "This is my first time here after living in Santa fe for 30 years. I’ve been deeply touched by the sense of community this conference creates along with intellectual stimulation, it has been emotionally nourishing and revitalizing."

    -Carrie Ishee

  • “Thank you to the entire Creativity and Madness staff for a well-organized and thought-provoking conference on a wide variety of topics. I thoroughly enjoyed every single presentation."

    -Alix Feinberg

  • “Absolutely wonderful conference!!! I am blown away by the quality of the presentations and the warmth and intellectual curiosity of the presenters.  Thank you very much for helping to pull this all together! Thank you!”

    - Page Loeb

Accredited continuing education conferences for mental health care professionals
Accredited continuing education conferences for mental health care professionals

Flower of Life II, 1925, 1918 by Georgia O'Keeffe

If you have any questions please send us a message.

Testimonials

Testimonials

Click the arrows to scroll through some comments from previous conferences!

  • "Each time I attend Creativity & Madness Conferences, I come away feeling both professionally and humanly renewed. Know how deeply appreciative I am of all your efforts in creating these marvelous gatherings for us."

    -Susan Rosewell-Jackson, Ph.D

  • "This conference has reenergized my focus on abundant optimism in my practice. The conference is a safe gathering where professionals can laugh and cry about the walk of life and health care. The exploration of the struggles that the creative and the courage for resilience of us all is important."

    -Anne Newhouse

  • "The diversity of topics and presentations broaden knowledge and understanding in so many ways that what gets shared in my professional life will likely be as diversely shared as has been this extraordinary conference."

    -Barbara Chapman

  • “About two weeks out, it remains jarring to live in the Rim World while still being drenched by memories of the Canyon.  I have been extolling the virtues of this trip to everyone in my orbit and continue to experience a "flow glow." While Rim life must be attended to, it has been rejuvenating to recall moments of kindness, joy and camaraderie from the trip!”

    -Raj

  • "As always the most important impact of this conference is how it inspires me to delve more deeply, be more curious, and take more risks with my own creative projects!"

    -Claire Von Karls

  • "It was personally enhancing and the sense of intellectual stimulation and broadened horizons will impact my life and practice."

    -Ronald Levin

  • “I know of no other group/institute that shines the light of perception, gratitude and love in the universe the way AIMED does. It certainly changed my life in a way that was profound and centered…..and the truths I first saw in Van Gogh, Munch, Chagall (Barry, Joe Natterson et al) and others there have been steady and a “fall back” position for my PTSD through four wars we probably shouldn’t have been in..So great to share the journey with you guys!"

    Ronald E Smith, MD, Ph.D.

  • “Great conference! This is my 5th, and each one is better than the last (and the previous ones were all wonderful, too)! A unique blend of studies in artists, mental illness, and using creativity to bring about health and healing.”

    -David Bookbinder, Author, "The Art of Balance"

  • “Coming to the Conferences I have been touched by so many in the healing professions or artistic community who are wholeheartedly committed to the well-being of others and to the use of their gifts in the service of that well-being. I know that this has made me a better Counselor, better Spiritual Guide and better person. There is no way that what I pay to come to the Conference can cover what I have received. My offering to you and to the presenters who have given me so much is to aspire to their excellence and to the love they embody.”

    -Gail Meyer

  • “Creativity and Madness opened new ways for us to be create our own Art. The conferences taught us a way to look at the Souls and Psychology of people who must create, sometimes at great personal cost.”

    -Elizabeth & Clem Nagel, Ph.D. and MD

  • “I have attended many Creativity & Madness Conferences over the years. I get from them something that I can’t get anyplace else.”

    David Hill, Ph.D.

  • “Absolutely transformational..a week that went way beyond my expectations.”

    Deborah Wild

Previous Events and Gatherings

  • Charleston, South Carolina

  • Grand Canyon Rafting Trip & Continuing Education

  • Grand Canyon Rafting Trip & Continuing Education

  • Charleston, South Carolina

  • Paris

  • Australia

  • Australia

  • Creativity and Madness 40th Anniversary

  • Creativity and Madness 40th Anniversary

  • Australia

  • Budapest

  • Tokyo

  • Lisbon

  • Singapore

  • India

  • Israel

  • Vancouver

  • Banff, Canada

  • Amsterdam

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