What is Imago Relationship Therapy?

Home » Treatment Therapies » Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT)

Imago Relationship Therapy uses the idea that people experience specific emotional pathways in early childhood with parents or caregivers. When they marry or enter a long-term commitment with another individual, it reactivates these pathways. Because each person uses their past experiences to relate to others, partners can experience conflict if these emotional pathways aren’t explored or understood.

People’s images of what connecting to another person looks like follow them from early childhood to adulthood. If they don’t take the time to understand how these may affect them negatively, they can continue acting in the same unhealthy ways they learned to get love as children.

Imago Relationship Therapy proposes that, if handled properly, conflict can lead partners directly to a more connected, loving relationship.

In this type of couples therapy, your counselor would engage you both in the process of being present with one another to produce safety. Then, you and your partner must understand your emotional pathways from childhood and, knowing these, must recommit to your relationship. Instead of turning away from your partner during painful emotional experiences, your counselor encourages you to turn toward one another. Then, your therapist encourages you to engage with positive feelings about each other to maintain this connection.

IRT’s goals are to be safe within the relationship, communicate needs, and empathize with one another. When combined, this leads partners to grow together through conflict.

Therapists Who Specialize in Using Imago Relationship Therapy

One Call Away Counseling

Las Vegas

Nevada

*** Accepting new clients*** “Caring Starts Today” If you are feeling depressed, anxious or have an unhealthy relationship with porn and sex. Couples that need help with communication or are in distress, help is available. I will work with you to achieve your goals and find strategies you can use in your journey. I am here to listen to you with compassion, empathy and understanding. I will walk...
I am passionate about helping individuals and couples experience deeper connection, wholeness, and joy in their relationship. I speak French and Spanish fluently and appreciate the richness and challenges of multiculturalism in relationships. I have experience working with adults struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, self-esteem, and other interpersonal issues. My husband and I lead one-d...
I focus on relationship healing and connection. I am an Advanced Imago Clinician and Certified Imago Therapist with over 25 years experience counseling couples, individuals and families experiencing challenges ranging from marital conflict, sexual and emotional intimacy, chronic and terminal illness and special needs parenting stress. I offer home visits to couples with demanding work and...
Have you ever wondered why your good intensions do not materialize into the life you want? If so, learning new coping and life management skills in the forms of better communication, increased focus, decreased anxiety and inner turmoil, freedom from addictions and other self-defeating behaviors will accomplish the happiness and connectedness that you have long desired. This holds true for most,...

Carl D Siegel

Washington

District of Columbia

I've been working with stressed out, overworked, anxious and depressed Washingtonians for over 25 years and call me crazy but I still love the work. It's such a privilege to work with an amazing diversity of smart interesting people! While I have been trained in a variety of different therapeutic modalities I've learned the most from my clients. About half of my caseload is working with couples...
Rae Comeau, LPC-Intern, is a Professional School Counselor with over 4 years experience working with children and adults. She has been trained in various methods of therapy focusing on creating connection and addressing attachment trauma. She is currently in training to become certified as a Certified Imago Therapist, working with individuals and couples to help them reclaim their joy and...
GET THE LOVE YOU WANT: Health care for healthy relationships. Get results-oriented couples therapy from a licensed marriage & family therapist. Also specializing in family therapy and relationship-oriented individual therapy. With couples, I use Imago & Gottman therapy to address the deep-seated emotional needs of each partner while working on communication and attachment skills. I believe in a...
I offer a safe setting to gain an understanding and solutions, related to the ,issues, and goals in one's life.I help my patients in understanding how roles that are in current relationships, can be related to roles in one's family of origin. I offer a contextual approach combining Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral, and various other approaches developed in 39 years of experienc...
My life's passion is working with women in transitional times of their lives and all young adults and middle-aged adults as they move into new life stages or search for a fulfilling career. I greatly enjoy working with LGTBQIA+ clients and with the Latino and immigrant community, and I am also passionate about working with couples, helping partners improve communication and gain insight into ho...
Hello There, and thanks for visiting my page! If you've ended up here, you are in the early stages of creating positive change in your life, and living your best life. You deserve that. I would be honored if you chose to include me in your journey. Let me take a moment to introduce myself: I am the owner and provider of Nicole Lee Rocha, LMHC, LLC, and am enthusiastic and passionate about...
Are you looking to improve your quality of life? I am here to help. I am passionate about helping others enhance their quality of life. Finding the right therapist can be challenging. Determining the support you are hoping for is essential. I am Dede Kott, a NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I specialize in treating trauma and related stressors for both adults and children in managing life...
*Currently not accepting new clients* Welcome to my caring & judgement-free counseling space! I have over 20 years experience working with children, teens, families, adults & couples. I provide person-centered therapy for those presenting with anxiety, depression, difficult life adjustment, & relationship issues. I specialize in treating self-injury. Regardless of the reason, if you are feeling...
Looking for a relational or personal tune-up? You know you can feel better than you do right now. You want to wrap your arms around your life whole-heartedly, and resolve problems that keep you stuck in difficult patterns. Just not sure how to get there? For many clients, inner work and small adjustments can make things better. New skills learned in session and applied at home are effective and...