Psychological Studies of Art and Artists

Accredited continuing education conferences for mental health care professionals

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 Santa Fe Convention Center and will be available virtually on demand.

We gather to connect and celebrate each other’s creativity, strength, and unique brilliance while earning continuing education credits.

Our Mission

AIMED is a Non-Profit educational organization dedicated to providing continuing education for the general medical community and the interested layperson. Our audience is primarily, but not limited to, mental health and psychiatric care providers.

AIMED's presentations incorporate psychological theories, clinical techniques, the concepts of creativity, resilience, and burnout and provide information regarding the application of different treatment modalities.

We aim to expand the participants' awareness of mental health conditions by providing information on creativity and how it applies to mental health. Our goal is to educate the learner to understand better, recognize, diagnose, and, when appropriate, treat different psychological and mental health conditions, improving patient care and clinical outcomes.

The American Institute of Medical Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. Amy Panter Vail, Psy.D. is the Executive Director. Jacqueline Berz Panter, BA, MA and Barry M. Panter, MD, Ph.D. are the Senior Advisors. The Institute was founded in 1981 by the late Mary Lou Panter, RN and Barry Panter, MD, Ph.D.

Testimonials

Testimonials

  • "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 creative struggles 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

  • “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"

  • “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.

  • “Creativity and Madness opened new ways for us to 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, MD

  • “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

  • “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.

  • “This is the most nourishing conference I have ever attended.”

    — Ruth Feldman

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

    - Ronald Levin

  • “How very much we enjoyed our time with you in Italy! You went above and beyond in every aspect of the trip. Your work behind the scenes smoothed the way for us in every possible way. Your attention to detail made it the trip of a lifetime, and gave us more than we could possibly have hoped for or imagined. I can’t thank you enough for your selfless devotion and efforts on our behalf, to provide us with the best experience possible. It was a gift for our minds, bodies, and souls. With great admiration and gratitude.”

    — Nancy & Vincent Zinke

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

    — Deborah Wild

  • "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.

  • "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

“Ship with butterfly sails” by Salvador Dali

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