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Imago Relationship Therapy is a form of couples therapy innovated by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. and his wife, Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D., who wrote the NY Times best selling book, “Getting The Love You Want: A Guide For Couples”
The term “Imago” is Latin for “image”. Dr. Hendrix used it to refer to the “unconscious image of familiar love” that children develop growing up. 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.
An Imago therapist can help you do this by teaching you, or you and your partner, the “Imago Dialogue” process, a time tested tool to help 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.
Source: imagorelationships.org