Imago Canada International
What is Imago Therapy?
Imago is a Latin word for image. In brief, we will choose partners, unconsciously, who have both the positive and negative attributes of both of our parents. There will be recognition of this person that speaks to the unconscious mind, therefore the attraction to each other, and this begins the Romantic Love stage of the relationship.
Attraction,
Attachment,
Hope,
Illusion,
Ecstasy
However, all couples move from the Romantic Love stage into the Power Struggle stage. It is natural evolution in a relationship. It is not a matter of if this will happen, but when. This Power Struggle phase is marked by disillusion and upset.
Disillusionment,
Frustration,
Fear,
Coercion,
Expectation,
Anger,
Impasse
Often the very attributes that attracted us to the partner, become the very aspects that annoy us. The very wounds we experienced as children will be ways we will feel wounded in the relationship. The goal is to allow each partner to heal in the relationship by each truly wanting to heal the wounds of the other, by not perpetuating them, and by actively trying to meet our partner’s needs. Unfortunately, most couples stay in the power struggle phase. They know something has gone awry with the relationship, they just don’t know what happened, that it is natural to be in this phase, and how to get out of it. What is even more poignant is that people will split up, divorce, or live their lives together in separateness. Most people don’t understand that they can actually have a Conscious Relationship. Within this stage, the capacity for joy, living life fully, truly understanding our partner, and being understood through full commitment to the relationship and the processes that will make and keep it healthy and alive, are astounding. The true romance and capacity to love and be loved can be taken consistently to new heights in all realms: emotional, physical, mental and spiritual.
So, how do we get there, and who wouldn’t want to be in a relationship like that?We first need to understand:
ourselves and our relationship needs
why we chose our partner
our role in the relationship
how we show up to our partner
how we meet their needs
how we don’t meet our partner’s needs.
We truly have to want to be fully committed to creating the best relationship possible.
The Imago Therapy Process teaches couples just that.
