While talk is the traditional specific mode of expression in psychotherapy and

 counseling, expressive image therapy introduces other forms of self-expression, namely clothing and grooming.  This adds the tangible, hands-on, everyday action of dressing and grooming to the process of psychotherapy.  We know the fastest way to lift someone out of a depressive mood is to improve the way he or she looks. 
Immediately we get a smile, maybe a sigh, maybe a woo-hoo!  It works wonders!  An action-oriented method of communication, expressive image therapy has potential to speed the process of psychotherapy.

For some clients, self-expression through dress and grooming may be a corrective experience all on its own.  Client experiences are sensory in nature, be it visual, tactile, or auditory-most likely all three channels encouraging healthy values and attachments, allowing the brain to establish new, more productive, and corrective patterns.  For all clients, the experience of working with clothing design elements in selection, styling, dressing, and grooming can actually energize clients, re-direct attention and focus, alleviate emotional stress, allowing clients to more fully concentrate on issues, adaptive behaviors, and goals.

Thinning and shaping thick brows from below lifts her visual expression and her self perception.

Seldom used as the primary form of treatment, expressive image therapy assists clients in moving beyond their pre-conceived perceptions or beliefs about themselves by experiencing new ways of communication and practical ways to try out inventive solutions and transformation.  Clients restricted in their creative problem solving skills often find expressive image therapy particularly helpful.  The therapeutic use of dress and grooming augments the productive use of imagination, helping the client to discover and develop corrective solutions leading to change, improved reality orientation, resolution of conflicts, and emotional repair in terms of body image, self image, and sense of self worth.  By correcting inaccurate beliefs about themselves, the clients' perception of self improves greatly.

Image management consultants, counselors, and expressive image therapists are agents of change.  They invite and encourage clients to engage in a process of self-exploration and self-expression with the objective of communicating thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and experiences in ways not always accomplished with words alone.  To be effective, consultants and therapists give their clients opportunities to become active participants in their own treatment.  Dress and grooming become primary modes of communication.  The process enhances the clients' ability to quickly communicate in creative and unique ways that are relevant, authentic, and effective-using the senses to bring about change.

Image management consultants, counselors, and therapists generally harbor a passion for the art and science of image as well as for the people they are preparing to help.  In providing for their own needs, image therapists continually nurture and develop their own creativity in harmonious dress and grooming.  Function in the field requires a knowledge of visual design in dress and grooming, and the creative process, as well as of human development, psychotherapy, counseling theories and techniques.  It 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, enabling clients to practice positive image management, a life skill they need to be prepared and productive adults.

Fixation on body image due to obsession with  weight control can be life threatening.

 Individuals who benefit from expressive image therapy include those who have a negative body image, conflicted self image, low self esteem, depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, obesity, and more.  Expressive mage therapy helps 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.

As of today, 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. 

Anxiety disorder fills the victim with fear.  Self expression through self presentation in dress and grooming can literally set them free.

Membership in the Expressive Image Therapy Association signals that we are active participants in the field of image therapy, dedicated to the growth of the field and to increasing knowledge in this specialized therapeutic practice.  If you'd like to know more, or know someone else who may be interested in this career option, contact us at Conselle, 801-224-1207 or judith@conselle.com. 

Starting 2014 out with a sizzle, I've booked appointments to work with a man beginning a new career as a business coach, a woman re-entering the workforce, and a woman recovering from bariatric surgery.  They each need me to evaluate their current wardrobes and general image, then advise them about what they may need to do to align their appearances to be in sync with the services they offer.  Makes sense.  I'm delighted, they recognize a relationship between self-presentation and business success.  A lot of people continue to pretend it doesn't matter.  I'll be counseling in terms of Clothes Power, Wardrobe Strategy #1 about the need to use clothing and image as a resource.

Because you subscribe to this Newsletter, you likely value your clothing more than most people.  I commend you for that.  The value of clothing has been generally forgotten by so many others.  They don't value their clothing because they have no part in producing it.  In centuries past, the people raised the cotton or sheep to supply the fiber.  They spun the fibers to make thread for weaving the fabric.  They sewed the fabric into the few clothes they owned.  And they took care of them, believe me.  Nowadays, too many people are shopping at fast-fashion shops for trash-fashion they throw away after a few wearings.  Not smart.

Truth is, I have to re-teach people to use their clothing as a resource-tangible goods that help them function in their various roles to achieve their goals.  "Sufficient" and "efficient" are key words when it comes to using a resource-enough to clothe you effectively.  Jumping to resource management, I enable them to cut costs if needed, improve morale, improve performance, meet new objectives, eliminate redundancy and waste, running smoothly on a day-to-day basis, and enhance well-being.  Reads a lot like expressive image therapy.  In truth, it's not much different when it comes right down to the application.

Judith Rasband

Conselle Institute of Image Management

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