Can we write or call with other questions?
Of course. Feel free to call or email any other questions that you might have.
How long have you been doing these workshops?
We have been facilitating these workshops since 1999, and present at least seven workshops each year.
Who attends these workshops? Do you need to be married? Could I attend alone?
These workshops are designed for couples who are in an intimate, committed partnership. Marriage is not a pre-requistie. However, if you wish to attend and you are single, you would need to attend with a friend, colleague or family member with whom you feel comfortable with. We would prefer that this person not be [...]
Are the skills learned in this workshop useful outside the relationship itself?
Many participants have later told us of the benefits experienced when applying dialogical skills in friendship, business, with wider family groups and particularly with parenting. We ourselves have found that these processes are part of our everyday relating in all aspects of our lives, and it has been hugely beneficial in relating with our children.
Do couples who attend a workshop still need ongoing support afterwards?
We see that the Workshop plus counselling is a particularly helpful combination. However, for some couples the workshop in itself gives them what they are looking for. For others, particularly for those who are in serious difficulty or contemplating separation, follow-up sessions are definitely recommended. If this is the case, the workshop gives a wonderful [...]
Is the workshop applicable to same sex/LGBTQIA couples?
Imago therapy applies to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, ethnic or racial background, religion, personal history, or level of education. Our experience is that all couples face similar issues, though those within the LGBTQIA communities often have extra issues due to social and cultural factors. When LGBTQIA couples have attended our workshops they say [...]
Will this workshop save my relationship?
We can’t say that the workshop will save your relationship. However, many if not most couples do experience significant changes which result in better communication and a more fulfilling relationship. When conflict is long standing couples frequently need to have follow-on counselling in order to integrate the work from the workshop, and to receive further [...]
I really want to come to a workshop. My partner is reluctant. Can we benefit if both of us aren’t enthusiastic?
Absolutely. It is common for one partner to be more reluctant than the other. We are often amazed at how enthusiastic both partners are at the end of a workshop. Attitudes can and do change over the weekend, and our reviews on completion of the workshop tend to be excellent, even from those who were reluctant and/or [...]
I’d like to go to a workshop but I’m a very private person and I’d be embarrassed talking in a group. Are we asked to reveal our private issues and concerns in the workshop?
The workshop is set up so that you do not have to talk publicly at any time, either in small groups or in the large group. We do ask for couples to assist us in demonstrating the processes we are teaching, and couples who feel comfortable with this elect to do so. No pressure is [...]
I don’t/My partner doesn’t think any of our problems relate back to childhood. We understand this is a core part of Imago therapy. Can we still benefit from the workshop?
Yes you can still benefit. The connections between our current frustrations and conflict, and our childhood experience, is not clear to many people. Imago theory does suggest that we unconsciously connect the two. However, this is simply a theory or idea which assists in making sense of the current situation, and Imago processes will [...]