Therapy * marriage counseling * couples therapy * couples counseling * Imago Therapy * couples workshops * Getting the Love You Want author Harville Hendrix as seen on Oprah * Psychotherapy * marriage repair * California Therapist * Coaching * Couples Coach * Marriage Coach * Marriage Workshop * Pre-Marital * Relationship counseling
What is Imago Therapy?
Imago Relationship Therapy is a
form of marriage therapy innovated by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., who wrote the
very popular books,
* We were born whole and complete.
* We became wounded during the early nurturing and socialization stages of development by our primary caretakers (usually inadvertently.)
* We have a composite image of all the positive and negative traits of our primary caretakers deep in our unconscious mind. This is called the Imago. It is like a blueprint of the one we need to marry someday.
* We marry someone who is an Imago match, that is, someone who matches up with the composite image of our primary caretakers. This is important because we marry for the purpose of healing and finishing the unfinished business of childhood. Since our parents are the ones who wounded us, it is only they who can heal us. Not them literally, but a primary love partner who matches their traits.
* Romantic Love is the door to marriage and is nature's selection process that connects us with the just the right partner for our eventual healing and growth.
* We move into the Power Struggle as soon as we make a commitment to this person. The Power Struggle is necessary, for imbedded in a couple's frustrations lie the information for healing and growth.
* The first two stages of marriage, "Romantic Love" and the "Power Struggle," are engaged in at an unconscious level. Our unconscious mind choses our partner for the purpose of healing childhood wounds.
* Inevitably our love partner is incompatible with us and least able to meet our needs and most able to wound us all over again.
* The goal of Imago Relationship Therapy is to align our conscious mind (which usually wants happiness and good feelings) with the agenda of the unconscious mind (which wants healing and growth). Thus, the goal of Imago therapy is to assist clients develop conscious, intimate, and committed relationships.
* This transition can not take place through insight alone. Specific skills and processes are necesary that need to be practiced daily to shift us from having an unconscious relationship to a conscious relationship.
* It takes two to five years of regular work (not necessarily therapy) to develop a conscious relationship which will bring you the "Relationship of your Dreams," that is, one of safety and passion.
* The two-day couples workshop called, "Getting The Love You Want Couples Workshop" is the best and most powerful way to start this journey toward developing a conscious relationship.
