Imago therapy

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Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) is a form of therapy that focuses on relationship counseling. [1]

Contents

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. 1 2 "What is Imago?". Harville and Helen. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  2. ↑ "Imago Relationship Therapy". Psychology Today. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Kollman, Maya; MD. "Helping Couples Get The Love They Want". Imago Couples Therapy. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  6. ↑ 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 – via Taylor & Francis Online.
  7. ↑ 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" (PDF). Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy. 14 (1): 1–18. doi:10.1080/15332691.2014.978061 . Retrieved 21 August 2025.
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