Clinical Skills 1  (Days 3-7)             5 Days

Pre-requisites for this training are attendance at the Imago Fundamentals – Two Day Training (see above) and core competencies in counseling, psychology and/or psychotherapy.

Places are limited for this training.

PLEASE NOTE If trainees wish to become a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, one of the requirements is full membership of specific professional associations.  This membership is not required to attend the Clinical Skills trainings.  Please contact us for further information.

The learning objectives of this 5 day training include:

• Expanding the repertoire of the Imago Dialogue, including affective deepening. The appropriate use of sentence stems, focusing and ‘doubling’ will be explored.
• Learn the important elements and a clear protocol for the Initial Session, allowing therapists to establish safety and connection, whilst also obtaining necessary information and laying the groundwork for the work.   This includes recognition of the unique needs and therapeutic tasks of the initial session.
• Introduction and Practice of the Dialogical Interventions of Parent/Child Dialogue to expand empathy and Behaviour Change Dialogue to work with frustration.
• The ability to use Relationship Visioning to deepen a sense of working together and hope for the future.
• Learning how to enable couples to be present with each other in the moment, softening the space between them and building limbic resonance and emotional co-regulation
• Take away a deeper understanding of how to work with the impact of childhood experience on adult relationship dynamics using a present day focus
• An understanding of the reactive interactional cycles which arise through attachment and developmental wounding and how to work with this.
• Learn emotionally focused tools for working with couples with attachment wounds
• Theoretical understanding of the psychological journey, stages of relationship and partner selection, emotional symbiosis and the need for differentiation in couple dynamics.
• Teach couples how to become a source of growth and healing for each other
• A focus on re-romanticising and working with positive interventions which build connection and secure bonds between couples.
• Recognition and understanding of the fear of pleasure and difficulties in receiving love in couple relationships.

Clinical Skills 2 (Days 8-12)         5 Days

The pre-requisite for this training is attendance at Clinical Skills 1.

PLEASE NOTE Attendance at a ‘Getting the Love You Want’ Couples Workshop is a requirement for Certification, but it is highly recommended that you attend a workshop as early as possible in the training programme, and preferably prior to Day 8.
If you do not have a partner, then a friend, relative or colleague will qualify.  Please contact us if you would like to discuss this further.

For more information Couples Workshops

Places are limited for this training.

The learning objectives of this 5 day training include:

• Consolidation and supervision of the Imago Dialogue and Behaviour Change Dialogue.
• Experiential work which will deepen your understanding and skills.
• Introduction and Practice of the Dialogical interventions of Commitment Dialogue, Holding Exercise, Positive Flooding.
• Focus on working with sexual issues between couples.
• Deepen understanding of the reactive interactional cycles which arise through attachment and developmental wounding and how to work with this.
• Learn more emotionally focused tools for working with couples with attachment wounds
• Learn about the Self and the way we defend ourselves in response to connectional rupture, the impact on relationship and the use of dialogical interventions for repair
• Gain insight into how to work with couples in crisis and how to work with highly reactive couples through the use of particular interventions, the use of containment and affect regulation.
• Learn how to track energy within the therapist and couple, and to use the concept of ‘The Space Between’.
• An emphasis throughout this work on building empathy, romance and appreciation.
• Learn clear steps for relational repair

As an Imago relationship therapist you will:

• Help couples to understand the relationship journey from romantic love through to potential disconnection, frustration and conflict, and enable them to restore connection, passion and hope
• Gain in-depth understanding of relationship dynamics from both an attachment and developmental perspective
• Incorporate developments in clinical research and neuroscience into your work with couples
• Learn affective, cognitive and behavioural interventions which will allow you to hold couples safely in processes which offer them the opportunity and capacity to make sense of their negative interactional cycles
• Learn clear steps for relationship repair
• Coach attuned and connecting experiences for couples through the use of Imago Dialogue and other dialogical and relational processes
• Join a growing group of committed couples therapists in Australia and an alive, energised and creative international community dedicated to transforming relationships.

• Attend a “Getting the Love You Want – Couples Workshop” as a participant.  See Entry Requirements above, for more information
• Full attendance at all twelve days of clinical training.
• During Days 3-12, present video samples of your work with couples for supervision.  (This can be achieved after the training, as part of the supervision process, if necessary).
• Execute an “Understandings and Agreements” contract.
• Complete a minimum of six post-training supervision sessions; either individual or group, over a period of 6 months.
• During supervision, present a minimum of two videos for review plus a further two, if these were not presented during the training.
• Complete two written reports following the training, as outlined by the Clinical Instructor.
• Serve as clinical support staff in a “Getting the Love You Want – Couples Workshop” , with a Certified Presenter, following completion of course requirements.
• Submit, to the Clinical Instructor, one video of your work with couples, for assessment, after completion of the  supervision process. The cost of this is $195.
• Be a Member of a recognized Professional Association
  • In Australia, eligibility includes, but is not exclusive to, memberships of AASW, APS, PACFA, ACA Level 2, CAPA, AHPRA or GANZ, or a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in a counselling or mental health field.
  • If you are a member of an organisation, not specifically mentioned above, then please contact us for further information.
• Have current Indemnity Insurance at a minimum of $500 000.
• Submit a signed copy of the Clinical Member Agreement. 

Whether you are a parent, coach, manager, leader, teacher, doctor, home-maker, builder, community leader, lawyer, health worker, family mediator or part of a couple – this training will enable you to relate consciously and to build new relationship patterns and possibilities with those with whom you interact, impact and influence.

The Enhanced Relationship Skills Training is a pre-requisite to (and the first two days of) the 12 Day Imago Professional Facilitator Training. The Two Day Training can be registered for without committing to further training.

This training is open to both individuals and couples.

Please note that this is not a training to become a couples’ therapist or counsellor.

How will you benefit?

The Enhanced Relationship Skills Training is an innovative programme designed to provide you with skills to communicate more efficiently and facilitate stronger relationships.

You will:

• Build facilitation skills to help individuals and groups work more effectively
• Have the ability to facilitate a dialogue between two or more people who might be experiencing conflict, helping them to understand each other, reconnect and request change
• Learn a proven model of communication that builds trust, teamwork, and problem solving
• Learn relationship based tools for successful work relationships
• Assess your strengths and vulnerabilities
• Manage conflict situations and apply the appropriate behaviours to build trust, and promote teamwork
• Experience personal growth and development – extend and deepen personal work, and explore the potential of Imago in both your personal and professional life
• This is the first time this programme has been offered in New Zealand.  However, many people internationally have found that a deep understanding of relationships through an Imago lens substantially enhances their work and their effectiveness.  You might be interested to watch this short video made by participants in the Imago Facilitator Training in Austria.

Those who have integrated Imago into their business lives have reported that it not only increases their sense of effectiveness and pleasure in their work but has also increased profitability.  Teachers and child-care workers find it invaluable in working with children, parents and staff.  Coaches have found it gives them new skills and a new orientation for their work.  Team leaders have found it very effective in building team relationships that lead to greater productivity both within and between departments.  Couples have found it deepens their Imago work both as partners and parents.

Prerequisite to Attend the 12 Day Facilitator Training

In order to proceed to Day 3 of this training, participants must:

• Attend the Two Day Enhanced Relationship Skills Training for Non-Therapists (see above)
• Attending a Getting the Love You Want workshop for couples or a Keeping the Love You Find workshop for individuals