My Journey with Expressive Arts Therapy in Iran

By Elahe Rahimian

Clay work with Afghan Refugee

Clay work with adolescent

My journey with expressive arts therapy began in 2010 in Iran when I worked at a charity center for physically and mobility disabled children and adolescents. We conducted various expressive arts activities, including painting, clay sessions, collage, making a mask, drama, and poems, which helped the children to believe in themselves despite their limitations and express themselves through artistic means, something they hadn't experienced before. Throughout the years we worked with them, our workshops have become an integral part of their lives. They eagerly awaited them every week, and through art, they were able to express some of their hardships and discover their abilities. We organized exhibitions every year, showcasing their artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and performances. Many of them continued their activities and some even published their first books, fueled by their enthusiasm for painting and poetry. This experience in the field of expressive arts therapy was incredibly valuable to me.

I decided to pursue a more professional understanding of this field and worked in Iran under the supervision of Dr. Alizadeh Mohammadi for years, experiencing expressive arts therapy with different groups, including cancer patients, MS patients, individuals with chronic illnesses, Afghan refugee children, working children, Adolescents, and the elderly.

However, in Iran, there was no professional space for expressive arts therapy, and resources were scarce. In 2021, I began collaborating with the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), becoming the first Iranian to obtain a Registered Expressive Art Therapist (REAT) based on my extensive experiences. I became the co-coordinator for the Middle East and realized the significance of this field in the Middle East and Iran, given the tangible importance of art and literature in this region. every year, I have a workshop in monthly open frum programs for IEATA members and have a presenter at the annual conferences.

Since 2023, I have pursued a doctoral degree in expressive arts therapy to further my professional and academic reach. In a groundbreaking move, I organized the first expressive arts therapy webinar and workshop with Dr. Marcus Scott Alexandre in Iran from 2023 to the present day, attracting numerous enthusiasts. Certainly, the presence of Dr. Marcus as a pioneer in this field can be a great opportunity and a significant chance for enthusiasts to become acquainted with the enlightening path of expressive arts therapy. 

In this workshop, Dr. Markus and I taught students practical exercises and the basics of expressive art therapy. We will continue to hold workshops on various topics until February 2025, along with Markus and Ashkan.

Another significant development in expressive arts therapy was the establishment of the "Abana" center at Shahid Beheshti University, which I co-founded to promote scientific and academic knowledge in expressive arts therapy in Iran in 2021.

Since 2023, I have focused on women's and mothers' health in expressive arts therapy. One of the impactful programs I executed was a therapeutic group for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and expressive arts therapy. PMS is a condition that affects women of reproductive age. It causes physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms that can impact their daily life, including their ability to work and participate in personal activities. While 50-80% of women of reproductive age experience mild premenstrual symptoms, about 30-40% of women require treatment for PMS symptoms (1). In the workshops, through mediums like visual arts, collage, storytelling, painting, movement, and doll-making, participants could explore their problems and discover their solutions.

These exercises were conducted with two groups of 40 participants, over six sessions, demonstrating their effectiveness. At the Abana center, I formed a task force to implement this project in schools for girls, which has been successfully executed in one of Iran's cities. Additionally, plans are underway to conduct training courses for therapists in the PMS field in Europe.

In 2024, I was appointed as the national director of Iran for the Global South Art and Health Week (GSAHW). This presents an opportunity to organize further programs in the field of expressive arts therapy and highlight its role in community health. My professional activities aim to expand expressive arts therapy and raise awareness among students and members of society. This will enable me to play a role in enhancing the mental health of individuals in Iran and the Middle East.

1) Ryu, A., & Kim, T. H. (2015). Premenstrual syndrome: A mini-review. Maturitas, 82(4), 436-440.

Elahe Rahimian, Ph.D. candidate in Expressive arts therapy, Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT), Clinical Psychologist, IEATA regional co-coordinator for the Middle East, Ambassador of Creative Wellness Initiative Services (CWSI), Co-founder of Abana Expressive Arts Therapy Center in Iran.