Creativity and Madness Conference 2025
Psychological Studies of Art and Artists

16+ CE
All are welcome!

Santa Fe, NM & Virtually

July 31- August 3

Since 1982, the Creativity and Madness conferences have offered continuing education that nourishes both mind and soul—blending science, art, and conscious healing practices. Whether you're seeking professional development or personal renewal, this event is designed to ignite transformation.

The 2025 Program

Thursday, July 31, 8:15 AM -1 PM MT
8:15 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks
Amy Vail, PsyD
8:30 The Paradoxically Creative Brain: 2 Case Studies
Samuel H. Markind, MD
9:30 The Hidden Links Between Mental and Physical Health and the Environment
Stephenie Riley, ND and Amy Vail, PsyD
10:45 Healing Through the Imaginal Realm
Erica Lorentz, MEd, LPC, Diplomate Jungian Analyst (IAAP)
11:45 The Healing Power of Sound: Transforming our Inner Landscape Through the Art and Science of Mantra
Sudha Kailas, MD, PhD

Friday, August 1, 8:30 AM-1 PM MT
8:30 Encoding Trauma: How Memory Manifests Across Neural and Somatic Systems
Mitchell Liester, MD and Ana Flores
9:30 Resilience and the Aging Productive Mind: Unlocking Human Potential in the Second Half of Life
Deborah Levinson, LCSW
10:45 The Art of Knowing: Sensing, Relating and Co-Creating
Christine Donohue, MFT, SEP

11:45 Mental Health Re-Envisioned Through Indigenous Eyes
Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, PhD and Barbara Mainguy, MA

Saturday, August 2, 8:30 AM-1 PM MT
8:30 Forgiveness and Resilience in Challenging Times
Megan Feldman Bettencourt, MA and Gail Carr Feldman, PhD
9:30 Distressed Couples On Film, Stage and In Therapy
Ron Goldman EdD, Jill Fischer, LICSW, and Amy Goldfarb, LCSW
10:45 Music and the Mind of Leonard Bernstein
Richard Kogan, MD

Sunday, August 3, 8:30 AM-1 PM MT
8:30 William Blake: Visionary Poet and Artist and the Psychology of Consciousness
Ralph Margolies-Kiernan, PhD
9:30 Imagining Innovation: Five Forces That Drive Creativity
Vineeth John, MD
10:45 Grief and the Paranormal: How Extra-Sensory Occurrences and Spiritually Transformative Experiences Can Help Heal the Bereaved
Janet Lynn Roseman-Halsband, PhD
11:45 Leonard Cohen: Creation in Spite of Depression
Jordan Price, LCSW

Optional Workshops

Workshops available from 2–5 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Optional workshops provides 3 hrs of CE/CME ($65 each). Please note that two workshops take place simultaneously each day. You may attend one live daily (either in person or live-streamed virtually) and watch the other virtually after the conference ends. CE/CME credit can only be given for the workshop you attended live.

Thursday 2-5 PM MT
Life’s Final Choices: Moral and Ethical Considerations for Individuals, Families and Healthcare Professionals
Joyce Lilly, RN, JD Click here to watch a short video in preparation for the workshop.
The Architecture of Equanimity *in person only
Michael Uebel, PhD, LCSW

Friday 2-5 PM MT
The Psychology of Self Portraits *in person only
Amy Stein, MFA
A Practical Guide to Improving Metabolic & Mental Health: Making Sense of the Noise, in the Age of Information Overload
Stephenie Riley, ND and Amy Vail, PsyD

Saturday 2-5 PM MT
Resilience and the Aging Productive Mind: Redefining Purpose in the Second Half of Life *in person only
Deborah Levinson, LCSW
Unraveling Cellular Memory
Mitchell Liester, MD and Ana Flores

Please note: Schedule is subject to change. We reserve the right to modify presenters and/or presentations as needed.

Be Part of the Magic! Save your seat.

More Information

Click any of the buttons or use the navigation menu to discover more! For questions call us at 800 348 8441 or email info@creativityandmadness.com

Virtual Attendees →

Frequently Asked Questions →

Hotel Information

Presentation Descriptions →

Accreditation

Attendees can earn 16+ hours of ACCME, APA, ASWB, and NBCC CE/CME, and physicians can claim AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. We recommend verifying that our CE accreditations apply to your state's specific licensing requirements.
→ Click here for detailed accreditation information.

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Watch the Santa Fe 2024 video!

Filmed by Casey Addason.

Conference Comments

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Conference Comments ⋆

Click the arrows below, or swipe right if you are on your phone, to see comments from the 2023 and 2024 conferences.

For more testimonials please click here.

"This was my first time attending the Creativity and Madness conference and I must say it was such a refreshing experience! It provided both research and facts on a plethora of subjects, but more importantly it was a deep EXPERIENCE for me. Like a pebble in a pond, the ripple affects will reverberate out - my own deep experience will expand into my work with clients and the art that I create. I also love the legacy behind the Creativity and Madness conference - designed by a man who thought outside the box decades ago, to today seeing his children and grandchildren continuing this legacy. Thank you for offering this beautifully deep training that at times touched my soul. You are making a difference in this world."

- Patti Smith
"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
"I'm so grateful to be able to come back...being in Santa Fe and attending the conference refreshes every cell in my being!"

- Kate Marshall
“Aside from my enjoyment and benefit professionally, it was likely the most enriching conference I have ever attended. I was simply captivated.”

- Sally Peterson
“The conference was so incredible, great speakers, super organized, and a delight!!!! I am sooo grateful that I was able to be there!!”

- Nancy Olsen
“Great conference, really appreciate all the effort that went into it!”

- Marie Krebs
“Thank you very much for your professionalism and kindness. Conference was greatly organized! Attendees were welcomed and appreciated .The atmosphere was scientifically minded and very pleasant. Thank you again!!!!”

- Inna Kogan
“Thank you all so much. It was another great conference. Thanks to everyone for all your work. I hope to see you live next year!”

- Adrienne Amundsen