Imago Relationship Therapy, a model of therapy developed by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., founder and President of the Imago International Institute, a division of Imago Relationships International, recognizes that the inherent nature of human beings is what Jung described as a "push towards wholeness". That wholeness contains Maslow's qualities of a self actualized person: spontaneity and creativity, acceptance of self and others, an ability to tolerate and even welcome uncertainty in life, a need to have both solitude and deep intense relationships, a sense of humor, caring and compassion for others, inner direction, and an open and fresh attitude toward life.
Throughout our development as human beings, that wholeness is fragmented through experiences in relationship with our caretakers and results in a significant impact on the choice of a marriage or relationship partner and the dynamics of all our relationships in adulthood. The ultimate goal of the work that couples do in Imago Relationship Therapy is to assist each other in repairing the wounded or injured aspects of that original state, and to reclaim the whole self that can more passionately and vibrantly express itself in life and in relationship.
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Educational Theory:
To help participants acquire an in-depth understanding of adult intimate relationships including:
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How the "relational paradigm" is foundational in understanding marriage and other intimate partnerships.
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The role of interpersonal dynamics in the wounding of children and its effects on adult intimate relationships.
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How the IMAGO unconsciously influences partner selection and subsequent relational dynamics.
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How defensive adaptations stemming from relational ruptures in childhood influence current day partnering.
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The stages of marriage/intimate partnerships and how to help couples identify and navigate through them.
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How the unconscious forces that draw two individuals together for healing are also the source of conflict.
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How the recovery and maintenance of connection is achieved through the process of dialogue.
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The importance of oscillation between fusion and differentiation in creating and maintaining connection.
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The relationship between couple's therapy and social transformation.
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Clinical Practice:
Learn to create a safe environment in which couples can use dialogue to maintain and restore connection thus healing childhood wounds and restoring wholeness. Participants will learn the following processes and exercises:
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Initial interview: engaging the couple in the dialogue process.
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Couples dialogue: helping couples connect, deepen intimacy, enhance passion and bring about differentiation.
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Parent/Child Dialogue and the Holding Exercise: integrating unconscious childhood experiences into current, conscious relationship.
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Behavior Change Request Dialogue: changing frustrations into requests and healing behaviors.
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Accessing and integrating cognitive and affective experiences.
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Designing a conscious/intimate partnership vision.
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Training Programs in Couples Therapy
Rick Stolp, Ph.D. offers a training program with a clinical track for therapists and an educational track for others who want to use the ideas and skills in personal, educational and organizational contexts.
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The Clinical Track:
The Clinical Track will assist clinicians in using Imago therapy to work with couples. It is designed for licensed therapists at the masters or doctoral level who would like to become Certified Imago Therapists. For 12 days, participants will focus on Imago clinical procedures, clinical demonstrations and a review of participants' cases. Typical participants include Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, Clinical Social Workers and Pastoral Counselors certified with AAPC.
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The Educational Track:
The Educational Track is for non-clinicians who want to use Imago Relationship Therapy and processes personally and/or teach them in non-clinical settings such as schools, religious organizations, businesses and to the general public. The course includes all Imago theory and processes taught in the Clinical Track in addition to assistance in applying the theory and processes in the participant's field of interest. Participants will also receive orientation in materials for teaching Imago Education in non-clinical settings. Typical participants include clergy, religious educators of all faiths, teachers, school educators, college and university professors, personnel directors, human resource professionals, physicians, lawyers and public educators.
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Training for both tracks includes:
- Attending twelve eight-hour days of intensive training.
- Participating in training exercises and small groups.
- Completing assigned readings.
- Presenting video-tape samples of your work with couples (clinical track) or constituency (educational track).
- Receiving evaluations from faculty.
- Serving as support staff in a 20 hour couples' workshop after completion of training.
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Graduate Permissions and Benefits:
If graduates of the clinical and educational programs qualify they may apply to Imago Relationships six months after completion of their course work and join as a Clinical Member or Educational Member (this requires a yearly membership fee plus continuing education to maintain certification). This distinction qualifies them to be called a "Certified Imago Therapist"® or a "Certified Imago Educator" ® and allows them to be listed in the Imago Directory and on the IRI web site. All certified members of IRI receive the Journal of Imago Relationship Therapy and other member benefits.
CE Credits: 96
Approved by American Psychological Association (APA) for continuing education credit through Imago Relationships International.
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Upcoming Clinical Trainings:
We have Imago Basic Clinical Trainings beginning thoroughout the year in Raleigh, Ft Lauderdale and Dayton. Please call for dates.
(919) 571-0917.
