Social:Imago therapy
Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) is a form of therapy that focuses on relationship counseling.[1]
Background
IRT emphasizes structured communication through the Imago Dialogue, designed to reduce reactivity, foster empathy, and transform conflict into opportunity for relational growth-focusing on "the space between" partners rather than diagnosing one partner.[2][3] Empirical studies show that IRT exercises improve accurate empathy development and communication skills in couples.[4]
History
IRT was developed by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt.[1] The word imago is Latin for "image"; in this sense, it refers to the "unconscious image of similar love", according to one therapist.[5]
A 2017 study of the method's effectiveness found that couples participating in IRT increased marital satisfaction during treatment (and to a lesser extent at a follow-up) but that the improvements were not clinically significant.[6]
Research published in 2025 in the Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy found that the workshops yielded short-term improvements in relationship satisfaction and communication.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "What is Imago?" (in en). https://harvilleandhelen.com/initiatives/what-is-imago/.
- ↑ "Imago Relationship Therapy". https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/imago-relationship-therapy.
- ↑ Hendrix, Harville; Hunt, Helen LaKelly; Luquet, Wade (2015). "Using the Imago Dialogue to Deepen Couples Therapy". Journal of Individual Psychology 71 (3): 253–272. doi:10.1353/jip.2015.0029.
- ↑ Muro, Lamar; Holliman, Ryan; Luquet, Wade (2015). "Imago Relationship Therapy and Accurate Empathy Development". Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy 14 (3): 218–232. doi:10.1080/15332691.2015.1024373.
- ↑ Kollman, Maya; MD. "Helping Couples Get The Love They Want" (in en). http://www.onerelationshipatatime.com/helping-couples-get-the-love-they-want.html.
- ↑ Gehlert, Nathan C.; Schmidt, Christopher D.; Giegerich, Victoria; Luquet, Wade (2017-07-03). "Randomized Controlled Trial of Imago Relationship Therapy: Exploring Statistical and Clinical Significance". Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy 16 (3): 188–209. doi:10.1080/15332691.2016.1253518. ISSN 1533-2691. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2016.1253518.
- ↑ Schmidt, Christopher D.; Luquet, Wade; Gehlert, Nathan C. (2015). "Evaluating the impact of the “Getting the Love You Want” workshop on relational satisfaction and communication". Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy 14 (1): 1–18. doi:10.1080/15332691.2014.978061. https://www.brehms.eu/imago-paartherapie/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/02/Evaluating-the-Impact-of-the-Getting-The-Love.pdf. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
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