Middle East

PhD candidate in Expressive Arts Therapy, REAT®, IEATA Regional Coordinator for the Middle East, Ambassador of Creative Wellness Initiative (CWSI), Manager of Abana Art Therapy Centre, Co-Founder of Expressive Arts Middle East

Elahe Rahimian has a strong academic background in arts and psychology, which has made her a professional in expressive arts therapy. She is a PhD candidate in Expressive art therapy. She holds a Master’s degree in psychology in family therapy, a Bachelor’s degree in art, and a certificate in painting and design from Italy. Her art experience, including more than 20 exhibitions in other countries, demonstrates her ability to express herself through art.

At ABANA Art Therapy Center, Elahe plans and implements workshops and training programs for students who want to become expressive art therapists. She has also published two books and several articles about the effects of art therapy in treatment. Her communication with other expressive arts therapists worldwide and the IEATA can help expand this field in Iran and the Middle East.

Furthermore, Elahe is the coordinator of the Middle East in the IEATA Additionally, Elahe was one of the first Iranian people to receive the REAT® certification in Iran and has the potential to be a pioneer in this area. She also organizing a webinar with Dr. Marcus, which is the first of its kind in Iran, and has received a great response from interested students. She will also hold a joint workshop with Dr. Marcus for students in Iran and enthusiasts in the Middle East in November 2023.

Elahe’s experience with many charities demonstrates her dedication to humanity. She has volunteered with people with autism, children with cancer, Afghan refugee students, and handicapped individuals. She has also held many art exhibitions to showcase their activities.

Aisha Radwan, MA, MSc(c)

Founder and Director, Expressive Arts Egypt Organization
Director, Bayt Salam Holistic Health Centre
Board Member & Regional Committee Co-Chair, International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA)
International Committee Co-Chair, Expressive Arts Without Borders

Aisha Radwan is a committed Expressive Arts Therapist with a strong academic foundation in psychology. She holds a Master’s degree from Helwan University in Egypt, where her thesis focused on Expressive Arts Therapy, and she is currently completing another Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Liverpool, UK.

Aisha successfully organized the first edition of Expressive Arts Egypt Festival, featuring over 30 therapists from different countries, the Basque region, Germany, El Salvador, the United States, China, and Egypt. Since 2017, she has been active in the field of expressive arts, working under the supervision of esteemed professionals, including Dr. Markus Scott Alexander.

Aisha serves as the International Committee Co-Chair of Expressive Arts Without Borders and Co-Regional Coordinator for the IEATA Middle East region. In recognition of her impactful contributions, she received the Rising Star Award from IEATA year 2023. With over 100 hours of supervision in Expressive Arts Therapy, Aisha has conducted training sessions on Embodied Self-Awareness as part of the Expressive Arts in the World Bundle presented by Expressive Arts Florida. And holding two cohorts of a 400 hours training program in Expressive Arts.

She holds an Art Therapy Diploma from Egypt and has completed a certified Art Therapy course from The British Art Therapy Association, focusing on individual and group psychotherapy. Aisha has also received extensive training in Dance Movement Therapy and employs a group psychotherapy approach to address trauma and brain injury.

Currently, Aisha works with the Behman Consultation Group, and has collaborated with UNICEF on child protection initiatives for refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt. Her professional experience spans various academic institutions, including the American University in Cairo and Coventry University, UK, as well as corporate organizations like Intellect Coaching School. Aisha has also held positions in psychiatric settings, including Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, El Nile Sanitarium for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, and Hermal Cancer Hospital. Additionally, she has taught art at the Arch College of Design in Jaipur, India.