Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) was created by Dr. Harville Hendrix, author of the best-selling “Getting the Love You Want: A Guide For Couples (1988).”
The term Imago is Latin for “image,”and refers to the “unconscious image of familiar love.” Simply put, there is often a connection between the frustrations experienced in adult relationships and early childhood experiences. For example: If you frequently felt criticized as a child, you will likely be sensitive to any criticism from, and feel criticized often by your partner. Likewise, if you felt abandoned, smothered, neglected, etc., these feelings will come up in your marriage/committed relationships.
Most people face only a few of these “core issues,” but they typically arise again and again within partnerships. This can overshadow all that is good in the relationship, leaving people to wonder if they have chosen the right mate. So here is the good news: When you can understand each other’s feelings and “childhood wounds” more empathically, you can begin to heal yourself and your relationship, and move toward a more conscious relationship.
Imago therapy can help you do this by teaching the “Imago Dialogue” process, and helping you move from blame and reactivity to understanding and empathy. With this process, you can transform conflicts into opportunities for healing and growth, and connect more deeply and lovingly with your intimate partner.