About AIMI
American Institute for Mental Imagery
Our History
The American Institute for Mental Imagery (AIMI) is a holistic health center providing transformative therapeutic experiences and education to integrate and optimize physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. AIMI was founded in 1982 as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization offering clinical training and public mental health education by Dr. Gerald Epstein, a spiritual teacher and pioneering therapist in mental imagery and visualization therapy. Originally named the “Colette Aboulker-Muscat Center for Waking Dream Therapy and Education,” AIMI was renamed in 1994.
From the time of its inception, AIMI has sought to improve the physical and emotional wellbeing and spiritual growth of all individuals through group courses and individual counseling, to train health and wellness professionals in waking dream, mental imagery, and visualization techniques, and enrich the psychological field through research. Under new direction by Rachel Epstein, L.Ac., J.D., AIMI continues this mission.
AIMI is entirely funded by its incredible community and generous donors like you. Donate today to support our mission and ensure holistic healing is accessible to all.
Meet Our Director
Rachel Epstein
Rachel Epstein, L.Ac., J.D., is the co-founder and current director of the American Institute for Mental Imagery (AIMI). A licensed attorney and acupuncturist, Avatar Master™, and highly skilled imagery practitioner with over 30 years of training and practice in holistic healing, Rachel seamlessly blends Spiritual Traditions from around the globe. She offers transformative healing and empowerment to her clients and keen guidance to those under her clinical supervision. Rachel imparts her wealth of knowledge and experience teaching the institute’s core curriculum. She provides individualized attention and support through private sessions and group experiences. Throughout her career, Rachel has garnered a reputation as a practical, empathetic, and nurturing guide. Her therapeutic approach creates a serene and calming space, encouraging individuals to explore their inner selves without judgment as they embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
Beyond her contributions to AIMI, Rachel has co-authored two books and has been prominently featured in insightful interviews, thought-provoking articles, and engaging podcasts, where she shares her wisdom on mental imagery, spirituality, and empowerment. Rachel’s compelling insights have inspired countless individuals to tap into their inner strength and find healing through self-awareness. Learn with her today.
Meet Our Founder
Dr. Gerald Epstein
Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Epstein, M.D. (1935-2019), was a visionary psychiatrist and pioneer in integrative medicine and was one of the first to recognize and highlight the mind-body connection in physical and mental healthcare. He dedicated his career to exploring the human mind’s power to heal. His journey into mental imagery and visualization – the therapeutic use of imagination – began under the mentorship of Mme. Colette Aboulker-Muscat. Inspired by Colette’s teachings, Dr. Jerry founded the American Institute for Mental Imagery (AIMI) in 1982. As the institute’s director and clinical supervisor until his death in 2019, Dr. Jerry nurtured a community of health practitioners and wellness-seekers, bridging the gap between Western spiritual traditions, mindfulness practices, and modern psychotherapy.
Through AIMI, Dr. Jerry conducted imagery research in both the United States and abroad. His findings were some of the first to show a scientific link between our thoughts and our physical and mental health. He was a prolific writer and author, whose works include the influential book Healing Visualizations: Creating Health Through Imagery. His innovative practices led him to serve as Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and lecture on integrative health at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Jerry’s legacy continues to grow and flourish at AIMI, now directed by Rachel Epstein, Dr. Jerry’s wife and program collaborator. You can learn more about Dr. Jerry’s work through AIMI’s services and courses, find his teachings in our resources and YouTube, or pick up one of his books at ACMI press/our bookstore.
Meet Our Inspiration
Colette
Aboulker-Muscat
AIMI’s founding begins with the extraordinary life of Colette Aboulker-Muscat (1909-2003), who started her lifelong career as a spiritual healer at just six years old. Colette was dedicated to healing, imagination, and preserving the ancient wisdom tradition of the Kabbalah of Light. Colette was Dr. Gerald’s spiritual teacher and informed the imagination processes he would later develop into his GEMS holistic healing system. Her visualization practices, including waking dream, revolutionized the practice of visualization therapy. From tending to wounded veterans in WWI, to leading the underground North African resistance against the Nazis during WWII, to offering free weekly community meals and group imagery processes in her Saturday Night Salons at her home in Jerusalem, Colette’s transformative wisdom and generosity touched the lives of thousands. Colette’s books and documentaries are available via our online bookstore. AIMI offers a variety of mental imagery and visualization courses based on her methodology and Kabbalistic teachings.
Accepting of all
Non-Discrimination Policy
AIMI does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
Address
351 East 84th Street, Suite 10-D
New York, NY 10028
Phone
1-646-269-4742
(Whats App) 001-646-269-4742
rachel@aimi.us