Learning and integrating the Imago model into your practice can make working with couples more fun, rewarding and successful.

The Imago structure can help couples create conscious, loving relationships and clinicians report finding renewed confidence and excitement with couples work!

“I can say unequivocally that Imago Relationship Therapy is the most effective model for understanding and improving Relationships.  It works!”  Pat Love (EdD and author of Hot Monogomy) For more information see Imago Relationship Therapy.

Learning Objectives

• Gain an overview of the theory and practice of IRT, including demonstration and experiential practice of the three steps of the Imago Dialogue
• Learn how to coach attuned, connectional experiences for couples
• Enable couples to understand their journey from romantic love through to disconnection, frustration and conflict, and to restore connection, passion and hope.
• Gain an in-depth understanding of relational dynamics from both an attachment and developmental perspective, incorporating developments from clinical research and neuroscience.
• Introduction to the Relational Paradigm, and what it means to view couple dynamics through a relational and dialogical lens
•  Introduction to the impact of neuro-biological functioning on couple relationships, the need to integrate the positive, and clear steps for relationship repair which promote safety and connection

PLEASE NOTE

These two days can be taken independently without proceeding to further Imago Clinical Training (Clinical Skills 1 and 2).

The training discusses and deepens relational understanding and doing the training together with your partner can be a powerful growth experience. Partners, who are not therapists or trainees, are invited to attend this Two Day Training and can continue with all of the training, provided having already attended the ‘Getting the Love You Want’ Couples Workshop.  Non-therapist partners attend at half-price.

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.

Learning objectives 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 Intervention of Parent/Child Dialogue to withdraw projections, expand empathy and deepen connection.
• 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
• Further consolidation and practice of Imago Dialogue
• Introduction and Practice of the Dialogical Interventions of the Behaviour Change Dialogue to work with frustration, development empathy and withdraw projection.
• Enable partners to find the ‘gold’ in the power struggle, the needs underneath their frustrations and conflict, and the means to powefully shift this dynamic.
• Teach couples how to become a source of growth and healing for each other.
• Theoretical understanding of the psychological journey, stages of relationship and partner selection, emotional symbiosis and the need for differentiation in couple dynamics.
• 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.

Pre-requisite for this training is attendance at Clinical Skills 1.  See above.

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.

Learning objectives 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 New Zealand and an alive, energised and creative international community dedicated to transforming relationships.

• Full attendance at all twelve days of clinical training.
• Attend a “Getting the Love You Want – Couples Workshop” as a participant, with your partner or other person.  Please contact us for further clarification.
• Execute an “Understandings and Agreements” contract.
• Complete 6 post-training supervission sessions, either individual or group, spanning a minimum of 6 months.
• Submit a minimum of 4 videos of clinical work with couples during Days 3-12 (max of 2) and during post-training supervision.
• Complete two written reports, following the training, as outlined by the Clinical Instructor.
• Serve as clinical support staff at a “Getting the Love You Want – Couples Workshop” , with a Certified Presenter, following completion of course requirements.
• Submit one video of your work with couples, for assessment to your Clinical Instructor, after completion of the supervision requirements.
• Be a Member of a recognized Professional Association with a Code of Ethics
  • In New Zealand, eligibility includes, but is not exclusive to, membership of NZAC, NZAP, NZCCA, PBANZ, NZPsS or NZCCP.
  • 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.