What is Imago Therapy?
Imago (Relationship) Therapy is counselling for partners that want to remain connected to each other in ways they always wished they could. It is a therapeutic process that empowers partners in the relationship to heal one another and grow towards wholeness. The objective is to find out the unconscious purpose of the relationship that is link to childhood, and help restore the necessary tools for couples to remain together in love in a fulfilling relationship.
What happens during an Imago Therapy?
During an Imago Therapy session, the therapist will go through a set of dialogues and exercises that will be adapted to fit the context of each individual’s problem. You will always have the choice of the content you deal with, and how far you want to go with it. The therapist acts more like a coach than a traditional psychotherapist, and is a guide through the game of love so that both partners win.
The therapist will sit to the side of both partners and direct the structure of the dialogue, although the conversation is between the two partners with little involvement from the therapist. Each partner takes it in turns to speak and then have their statement mirrored by the other.
It is important to commit to a number of sessions, do the homework, attend workshops, and be fully available to your partners as possible. Most couples will have made a decision about whether they want to stay together within the first twelve sessions, although some couples have made that decision in fewer sessions.
The basic idea of Imago relationship theory is that each partner has parts that were repressed or neglected in the partner’s childhood. Partners tend to choose each other to get what they didn’t get from their parents/caregivers. This therapy helps identify why you are attracted to certain people.
What are the benefits of Imago Therapy?
The ultimate outcome of a dialogical relationship is the creation of a conscious relationship. The Imago Dialogue helps explore childhood fears and frustrations in order to heal the soul. Imago Therapy may benefit couples by helping them:
- create conscious relationships,
- identity their unconscious emotional injuries that impact relationships negatively,
- become aware of underlying needs that are needing attention,
- exchange desired behaviours that will meet these needs.
Who is Imago Therapy aimed at?
Imago Therapy is aimed at couples that are both committed to their relationship, want to improve it, and take responsibility for their own growth and happiness. If you are willing to honestly discover your individual vulnerability and mutual compassion and confidence, Imago can be a simple and effective way for you to be in a relationship with your partner.
Imago Therapy is also very effective in dealing with other relationships between parents and children, siblings, and any two people who want open communication. The therapy would also benefit those that are thinking of separating from their partner. Even if your relationship is perfect, Imago can help build a depth of connection to make your relationship even more resilient and fulfilling.
The history of Imago Therapy
Imago Therapy is based on the work of Harville Hendrix and Helen Kelly-Hunt, and their best selling books such as ‘Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples’, which has sold over 1.5 million copies. Since its release in 1988, over 2000 therapists in 20 different countries have trained in Imago, and more than 60,000 couples have experienced and benefited from attending Imago workshops.
How much does an Imago Therapy session cost?
The cost of a session is usually around £100 per hour, although this varies according to the location and experience of the therapist.
Also see Counselling, Relationship Coaching and Relationship Therapy.