What is an IMAGO? (pronounced ee-mah-go). Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) was founded by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., and Helen LaKelly Hunt, authors of the best-seller “Getting the Love You Want.”
Imago relationship therapy (IRT) is about joy which is our natural state, human capacity and feeling alive.
IRT aims to equip couples with the tools necessary to relate to each other in healthier ways, and reveal the emotional pathway formed in childhood that led them to their current situation.
This form of therapy combines spiritual and behavioral techniques with Western psychological methodologies in order to assist couples in unveiling their unconscious components. Imago relationship therapy involves viewing a conflict between couples as merely the outcome of specific circumstances—not the cause of disharmony. By examining the conflict itself, a couple can arrive at a satisfying solution, heal, and then grow together.
What is the IMAGO?
Every one of us carries within a picture or image that is actually a combination of the positive and negative characteristics of all these people and their attitudes toward us. (Imago) The moment we meet somebody the old brain has its own list and checks to see if the characteristics of this person matches what we actually know. If there is a fairly close match, there is a chance for the relationship. The chance of falling in love grows proportionately as the conformity of the partner to the unconscious is increases.
When to seek out Imago Therapy?
You don’t need to be in the final bitter stages of a break up to embrace Imago relationship therapy. I have witnessed couples in various stages of the love and life cycle find new direction together. Couples with solid long term marriages and committed relationships benefit from my virtual sessions also. Their journey together has reached a zenith point of intimacy, healing and personal growth through the power of Imago.
Personally, Imago has helped me connect, maintain and succeed with friendships, business and other relationships. It is a supercharged set of skills for all of us to reach and keep the levels of self-respect, intimacy and friendships that at times we feel is just out of our reach …
Imago relationship therapy and education teaches couples the tools they need to:
- Address a conflict at its foundations rather than surface level
- Learn how to emotional safety for each other
- Learn how better to understand and meet each others needs
- Transform anger and conflict into opportunities for deeper understanding
- Make the small changes that lead to happiness and fulfillment
You can make successful changes in your behavior that enhance and develop your relationships, leading to deeper healing and growth.
Get started now to save or enhance your relationship by calling 401-782-7899 or emailing me at imagopaula@gmail.com
Can Imago therapy help Same-Sex Couples?
“Paula, I just wanted to say thank you for helping us. We have been through so much in our relationship and your explanations of using our relationship to heal instead of hurt was perspective changing. We have been in such a ‘survival dance’ since day one and really I truly have not seen Toni show much emotion for anything in our relationship for a long time. Seeing her open up and feel safe enough to share anything … not only with me, but with you there was a huge step for our relationship. Thank you for going slow and not scaring her off.” Toni & Holly
Imago relationship therapy is so important for LGBTQ community because it offers, for the first time, a theory and practice that is not gender based, but rather more people-based. LGBTQ do not have the approval of society allowing us to learn about dating and romantic love with members of the same gender during adolescence or early adulthood. In fact, most gays and lesbians spend most of their early lives running from each other and ourselves for fear of discovery and being scorned by society.
A great deal of time is spent in early childhood and young adulthood conforming to heterosexuality. It is very traumatic to question one’s true identity and, when discovered, to then feel it necessary to keep it secret from one’s inner self, the outside world and one’s own family. So, imagine the difficulties lesbian and gay couples face in attempting to come become more intimate with each other. IMAGO offers hope.
So you see, abandoning your relationship may not be the answer.
Text or Call me today at 401-782-7899 or email me at imagopaula@gmail.com.