Association Information
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The Founding of a New Association Dedicated to Experiential Expressive Image Therapy!
On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, the Expressive Image Therapy Association was organized by Judith Rasband MS AICI CIM,
creating the foundation of a new field of expressive therapy.
Elected as the association’s first president is Judith Rasband, Kathryn Wolters as vice president, and Dani Slaugh as secretary. Additional charter members include Sarita Singh, Camilla Owens, Dawn Nieto, Rebecca S. Boles, Leslie Anne Jeanfreau, Kathleen M. Doctor,Cristina C. Johnson, Jacel deJesus, and Ann Johnson.
History: Evolution of Image to Image Management to Expressive Image Therapy
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Expressive Image Therapy Association charter members from left,
Dani Slaugh, Cristina Johnson, Kathleen Doctor, Dawn Nieto,
Camilla Owens, Rebecca Boles, Leslie Jeanfreau, Sarita Singh,
Judith Rasband, and Kathryn Wolters.
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About The Expressive Image Therapy Association
Mission Statement
The Expressive Image Therapy Association is an association of professionals dedicated to the belief that appearing authentic, appropriate, and attractive is therapeutic and life enhancing. It's mission is to serve its members and the general public by providing standards of professional competence, and developing and promoting knowledge in, and of, the field of expressive image therapy.
Adopted January 14, 2014.
Membership in the Expressive Image Therapy Association signals that
you are an active participant in the field of image therapy, dedicated
to the growth of the field and to increasing your knowledge in this
specialized therapeutic practice. JOIN the Expressive Image therapyAssociation
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What is Expressive Image Therapy?
Expressive image therapy is the the psychotherapeutic use of the elements of image—dress, grooming, and body language—to facilitate treatment goals. It is a creative collaboration between the client and the therapist or specialist. In essence, it is a clinical collaboration of art and science. The role of image therapy within a multi-disciplinary treatment program is to complement and enhance the clinical work being done in individual, group, and family therapy.
Expressive image therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, guided by the image therapist or specialist, use clothing and accessories, makeup and other grooming tools to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, improve body image and self-image, while increasing self-esteem or sense of self-worth.
The goal of image therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being. Image therapy practice requires knowledge of visual design in dress and grooming, and the creative process, as well as of human development, psychotherapy, counseling theories and techniques. During individual and/or group sessions image therapists draw on the daily processes of dressing and grooming to elicit their clients’ inherent capacity for art in dress to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Expressive image therapy is virtually unknown in schools and colleges or universities, wellness centers, treatment centers and hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, and other community or clinical settings. While it may be practiced to a minimum degree in terms of wardrobing, shopping, or makeover sessions, image therapy is generally unrecognized and undeveloped with the exception of the
Conselle Institute of Image Management.
While research is available, more research is needed to support the use of image therapy within a professional relationship for the therapeutic benefits gained from self-expression and reflection through dress and grooming for individuals who experience anxiety, trauma, and mental health problems as well as those seeking personal growth. Both Conselle and EITA support ongoing research projects.
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Who May Benefit From Expressive Image Therapy?
Expressive image therapy may be practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, wellness, private practice and community settings with diverse client populations in individual, group, and family therapy formats. Image therapy is an effective treatment for people experiencing developmental, educational, medical, and social or psychological impairment. Individuals who benefit from image therapy include those who have a negative body image, conflicted self image, low self esteem, depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, obesity, and more. Image therapy is used to help people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, management problematic behaviors, reduce negative stress, and achieve personal insight. Image therapy also provides an opportunity to enjoy the life affirming pleasures of image enhancement.
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JOIN the Expressive Image Therapy Association
Membership in the Expressive Image Therapy Association will connect you with other pioneers in the field, members who use the creative process of expressive image therapy to help people improve their physical and mental health as well as their emotional well-being. Membership in EITA will encourage and facilitate the highest quality of expressive image therapy among members, your new professional colleagues. EITA will prove to be a valuable investment in your continuing education and career development through a quarterly newsletter and conference calls, enabling the dissemination of information to the general public while recognizing excellence in the field. A brand new professional organization, EITA dues are set at $25 as we move forward. Currently, membership is recorded and maintained through the Conselle Institute of Image Management. Call Kathy Adams at 801-224-1207 to join and be added to the mailing and conference call lists.
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