Honoring Lineage: Standing on the Shoulders of Those Who Came Before Us

When discussing lineage, most people think first of family—those whose lives shaped the ground we now stand upon. Lineage is carried in our blood, in our bones, and in the places that have influenced and formed us. Psychology has long shown that we hold more than our own memories.

Generational experiences of love, loss, displacement, and resilience reside within us all, shaping how we move through the world. Whether or not we have consciously studied our ancestry, we are each the continuation of stories that began long before our birth. Across the world—and within each of us—runs a thread of ancestry that stretches far beyond this moment in time.

We all come from somewhere—people whose lives were steeped in tradition, ritual, and healing practices that predate modern psychology. This reminds us that healing and belonging are collective acts. To honor one’s lineage is to acknowledge both our origins and the lands we now inhabit, recognizing that we are part of a web of memory, care, and wisdom that spans generations and continents. And just as our personal lineages live within us, so too do the professional and creative lineages we inherit—for lineage runs far wider than blood alone.

There is an important truth to acknowledge about our work as healers, clinicians, and creators: none of us got here alone. Our wisdom has been shaped by those who came before us—teachers who cared enough to share their knowledge, elders who saw potential and nurtured it, mentors who offered both encouragement and correction, and family members who modeled compassion, curiosity, service, and creativity in action. In the healing professions, lineage matters. We inherit knowledge, but also ways of being—how to listen deeply, remain steady in the face of distress, and keep curiosity alive even when answers are hard to find. We carry those lessons into every session, every classroom, every act of care—and, if we are fortunate, we pass them forward.

This truth is woven into the very foundation of Creativity and Madness®. In 1982, Barry Panter, MD, PhD, and Mary Lou Panter, RN, launched the first Creativity and Madness conference, guided by the conviction that art and psychology are complementary, that creativity itself can be a healing force, and by an intuitive understanding that people yearned for inspiration within continuing education. For over four decades, tens of thousands of healthcare providers, artists, and seekers have gathered through Creativity and Madness®, celebrating their vision and adding their own voices to this living lineage of healing and creativity.

Following Mary Lou’s passing, Jacqueline Berz Panter, MA, joined Dr. Panter in continuing this legacy. With grace and dedication, she helped guide Creativity and Madness® through its next chapter, honoring the original vision while embracing new forms of creative expression and connection. Together, they embodied the essence of this work—the fusion of intellect, artistry, and heart that has always defined Creativity and Madness®.

Now, as the torch is carried forward by Dr. Amy Vail, PsyD, daughter of Barry and Mary Lou Panter, the program continues to honor the ideals upon which it was built. Under her stewardship, Creativity and Madness® evolves to meet a new era of learning—blending live gatherings with enduring, on-demand content—while remaining rooted in the values that Dr. Panter so passionately instilled: curiosity, compassion, and the belief that creativity lies at the core of healing.

Each conference, each story, and each connection continues that lineage. As we move into this new era, we remember that evolution does not mean leaving the past behind—it means carrying its wisdom forward.

Each time we sit across from a client, listen to a colleague, or take a deep breath before beginning again, we are accompanied by those who came before us. Their wisdom hums beneath our own, strengthening the collective. Their courage threads through our choices.

As we open a new chapter, we pause to honor the teachers, families, and elders who have shaped us—and to recognize that every act of healing is part of a much larger story. A story we did not begin, and one that will continue long after we are gone. Here’s to the legacy we have inherited and to the future we are co-creating.

Dedication

This is dedicated to my parents, Barry Panter, MD, PhD, whose vision, artistry, and devotion to the union of creativity and healing continue to inspire Creativity and Madness®; to Mary Lou Panter, RN, whose warmth and heart helped bring that vision to life; and to Jacqueline Berz Panter, MA, for seeing the vision, embodying resilience, and cherishing the meaning of family.

It is my honor to carry your vision forward and to share the light of Creativity and Madness® with future generations.

— Dr. Amy Vail, PsyD