About IMAGO
IMAGO Process
Imago tools work well for people seeking to deepen connections, including individuals and couples at all stages of relationships. From dating and prenuptial to long-term commitments or marriages, our tools can help couples whether or not they are currently experiencing distress.
Imago takes a relational vs. an individual problem-solving approach. For couples, it guides them on understanding how each of them come to the relationship with issues and how to heal together as a team.
IMAGO Therapy
For Couple Individuals
Break free from old relationship patterns. Create the relationship of your dreams.
Relationships Workshops
For Couple Individuals
Explore emotional issues, deepen love and strengthen connection. Get more out of your relationships.
Organizational Workshops
Elevate employee engagement, improve collaboration and strengthen communication.
How does IMAGO differ from other types of therapy?
Imago’s collaborative approach often takes fewer sessions than other forms of therapy to uncover the root problems and patterns fueling most conflict and disconnection. Imago’s approach also lessens most common concerns partners may have about participating in therapy. These concerns or fears may include – belief a couple should solve their own problems, fear of being blamed for relationship issues, concern therapy won’t bring lasting change, lack of progress with previous forms of therapy, or the belief that the current status of the relationship should be left alone.
Rather than acting as a referee, our therapists teach and guide couples to communicate in a safe and structured way that removes blame, shame and criticism. Instead, by facilitating a conversation the couple can learn from one another, using conflict as an opportunity for healing and growth.
IMAGO Relationship North America (IRNA)
IRNA is a membership organization incorporated as a non profit in the State of Illinois, USA in September 2018. IRNA became recognized as a tax-exempt, charitable organization by the United States Internal Revenue Service in June 2019.
Some of IRNA’s functions are to provide professional resources to members, assist in coordinating regional conferences, support the formation of regional Imago chapters in North America, market Imago Therapists, Facilitators and Workshops in North America, and actively represent North American Imago Professionals in collaborative circles established by Imago Relationships Worldwide (IRW).
Mission
To provide support, connection, educational opportunities and inspiration to Imago Professionals in North America.
Vision
A world where individuals, couples, organizations and communities are empowered with Imago skills to effectively and safely cultivate conscious and connected relationships.
Purpose
To provide a sense of belonging and connection among Imago professionals throughout North America.
How We Commit
Imago Relationships North America (IRNA), as an organization, consciously commits to increasing awareness and understanding for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) within our organization. We will continually review policies, behaviors, actions, and programs and work to ensure we are aware, culturally proficient, and antiracist. We commit to providing platforms for ongoing education and reflection for our members’ growth and deeper understanding. As an organization, we recognize the lasting impact of historic transgenerational injustices and choose to align with sustainable transformation and pledge to be accountable for doing the work toward an equitable and just future. IRNA welcomes and aims to be enriched by all people and cultures.
IRNA’s Origins
Since the publishing of Getting the Love You Want in 1988 by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt and Harville’s subsequent appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, therapists have wanted to train in Imago. As more and more people became Certified Imago Relationships Therapists, there was a natural desire to gather and learn together, from which several organizations were born. Imago Training Institute (ITI), Association of Imago Relationships Therapists (AIRT) and Imago Relationships International (IRI) are all iterations of this desire over the years.
Starting in 2005, countries and regions around the world began forming local organizations under IRI. Today, over one thousand Certified Imago Relationships Therapists can be found in nearly 52 countries around the globe. Because IRI was based in North America, Imago Therapists (and now Facilitators) in the US and Canada, never formed their own, independent region.
In May of 2019 IRI transitioned from being an international membership organization and shifted their focus to the enormously important task of overseeing the research studies underway to make Imago an evidenced-based modality.
In anticipation of this shift, a task force was created in 2017 and charged with creating a new global organization to take the reigns from IRI, providing support and connection to Imago Local Organizations (ILOs) around the world. Thus, Imago Relationships Worldwide (IRW) was formed.
The same task force that created IRW recognized that, with the transition of the global organization, it was the right time for North America to follow the same path as the rest of the Imago global community and charged Imago Professionals in North America to form their own region.
Leading that charge were 3 IRI Board members: Lori Karch, Maureen McEvoy, and Virginia Thomas. As the the founders and shepherds of Imago Relationships North America, they created a business plan, raised funds, wrote grants, and have spent countless hours gathering and organizing members to get the organization off the ground. With the mission of providing support, connection, educational opportunities and inspiration to Imago Professionals in North America, countless others have risen to lead, organize and volunteer to create and continue to develop the organization as we know it today.
We get it! There are lots of acronmys in Imago-land….the alphabet soup can get very confusing. We’ve got you covered…
IRNA
Imago Relationships North America (IRNA) is a membership organization incorporated as a non profit in the State of Illinois, USA in September 2018, with the mission is to provide support, connection, educational opportunities and inspiration to Imago Professionals in North America. IRNA’s purpose is to provide a sense of belonging and connection among Imago professionals throughout North America. Some of IRNA’s functions are to provide professional resources to members, assist in coordinating regional conferences, support the formation of regional Imago chapters in North America, market Imago Therapists, Facilitators and Workshops in North America, and actively represent North American Imago Professionals in the global Imago community.
IITI
Imago International Training Institute (IITI) is the faculty organization and certifying body for Imago. IITI faculty present Imago Clinical, Professional Facilitator and Advanced Tranining online and in person across the globe. Visit imagocertificationandtraining.com for more information.
IRW
Imago Relationships Worldwide (IRW) is the central Imago organization, which began on 6/1/19. IRW functions as a web connecting the many Imago professionals around the globe and provides conduits for the flow of information and ideas within the Imago community and out to the broader world. Visit imagorelationships.org for more information.
ILO
Imago Local Organizations (ILOs) are regional groupings of Imago professionals which exist all around the globe. Links to the various ILOs can be found on the Imago Around the World page of the IRNA website.
ICCC
Imago Central Collaborative Circle (ICCC) is the central circle of IRW. Representatives from the ILOs and the various IRW circles and task forces meet monthly to connect and discuss the business of the worldwide organization. Anyone is welcome to attend as an observer. Contact Carol Dixon for more information.
GLOW
Global to Local Organizations Worldwide (GLOW) is a meeting of the leaders of the various Imago Local Organizations (ILOs) to connect, collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences in their region. Contact Can Baycan for more information.
IRI
Imago Relationships International (IRI) is the former global Imago organization. IRI “closed its doors” as a membership organization on 5/31/19 to focus solely on research moving forward. Contact Tani Strain for more information.
