“IMAGO” is the Latin word for Image. It refers to the image that we compiled in our unconscious of our caretakers – mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, or whoever raised us. This compilation includes not only the positive traits but also the negative character traits of our caretakers. It includes our best memories and our most painful ones. It includes all our unmet needs. We take this compiled image into our adulthood and unconsciously find ourselves attracted to our “IMAGO” match; the one person who we fall into Romantic Love with who is uniquely incapable of meeting our needs. Believe it or not, this happens not to frustrate us but to provide us the opportunity to have our old issues “triggered” by our partner in the hopes of having a different outcome. This is what is called the Power Struggle and many relationships languish in this part of the cycle. Imago Relationship Therapy gives us the tools to become conscious of this process so we can resolve these frustrations and learn how to replace avoidance, confrontation and criticism with empathy and understanding.

Who Developed the Concept?
This theory was originated by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. in the early 1980’s and further developed in collaboration with his wife Helen LaKelly Hunt. Dr. Hendrix wrote the best-selling books, Getting the Love you Want: A Guide for Couples, Keeping the Love You find: A Guide for Singles ,Giving the Love that Heals: A Guide for Parents, and Receiving Love: Transform Your Relationship by Letting Yourself be Loved. Dr. Hendrix has been featured many times on the Oprah show. Dr. Hendrix and Dr. Hunt founded the worldwide organization, the Imago Relationship Institute (IRI) that has Certified Imago therapists in over 20 countries.