At some point, every couple hits a wall.
You’re arguing about the dishes… again. Or maybe you’re not arguing at all anymore—just coexisting like two ships passing in the night. You love each other, but you can’t seem to connect. What happened?
Imago Therapy is one powerful approach that helps couples get unstuck—and grow closer.
Wait—What’s “Imago”?
“Imago” is Latin for image. The theory behind Imago Therapy says that we all carry around an unconscious image (an imago) of love—formed by the people who raised us. This image quietly shapes who we’re attracted to… and how we behave in relationships.
In other words, we don’t just fall in love randomly. We’re drawn to partners who feel familiar, often in ways we don’t even realize. Sometimes, that means our partner brings up old wounds—but Imago says that’s not a mistake. It’s actually an opportunity.
The Central Idea
Imago Therapy invites couples to see their conflict not as a sign of incompatibility—but as a chance to heal.
The method, developed by Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, teaches couples how to talk to each other in a new way. A more respectful, structured, emotionally safe way. Through a process called the Imago Dialogue, couples learn to: • Mirror what their partner says (instead of interrupting or correcting), • Validate the other person’s perspective (even if you don’t agree), and • Empathize with their experience (because understanding comes before solving).
While Imago Therapy isn’t grounded in large-scale research studies like the Gottman Method, many couples find it offers a profound emotional experience and a structured way to reconnect.
Why It Works
Most of us weren’t taught how to fight fair or how to listen when emotions run high. Imago Therapy gives couples tools and structure to stay connected—especially during conflict. And over time, it can turn painful conversations into healing ones.
Who Is It For?
Imago Therapy can be a great fit if:
- You and your partner keep circling the same issues.
- One or both of you feel emotionally disconnected or lonely.
- You want to improve communication, but don’t know where to start.
- You’re open to the idea that your past may be affecting your present.
It’s often used in intensive couples therapy, especially when couples are in crisis but still love each other enough to fight for their relationship.
Final Thoughts
At Couples Therapy Inc., we don’t believe in quick fixes or cookie-cutter advice. But we do believe in powerful tools that help you understand—and be understood. Imago Therapy is one of those tools.
If your relationship feels stuck, distant, or tense, this approach might help you find your way back to each other… one real conversation at a time.
Ready to Reconnect?
If you’re curious about how Imago Therapy could transform your relationship, we’d love to help. Our expert clinicians are trained in evidence-based methods that go deeper—fast. Some are Imago certified.
Explore working with a therapist who gets it. Let’s have one real conversation that changes everything.
