A Randomized Controlled Trial of Imago Relationship Therapy

Imago relationship therapy (IRT) involves learning the Imago dialogue process, which helps couples understand more clearly why they and their partners react as they do. Couples practice communicating in a manner that helps them move from reactivity and blame to understanding and empathy. The dialogue is used to transform conflicts into opportunities for healing and growth, and to connect more deeply and effectively with one another. Specific topics of therapy are determined by the couple's needs and goals. In general, the therapist helps them use the Imago dialogue to promote understanding, heal painful emotions, and make requests of one another to change behaviors. In effort to minimize risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19, since the spring of 2020, therapy sessions will be conducted via telehealth, with a HIPAA-compliant audio/visual platform, and with couples at home or in another private place during the therapy sessions and the therapist in his or her office.

"Participants assigned to this group will be asked to wait for 12 weeks before receiving any intervention, and will be given a relationship-focused self-help book to read, with exercises to practice, during that time. After 12 weeks and the 12-week assessment has been completed, couples will attend an educational workshop that provides the principles and communication skills of Imago Relationship Therapy, typically in a weekend format that is usually about 18-20 hours. The workshops, called Getting the Love You Want (GTLYW), are led by certified and experienced Imago workshop presenters, and are attended by a group of couples. The workshop includes presentations, discussions, and practice of communication exercises. Participation in the workshops will also be virtual or via telehealth, as described above."