Francine Beauvoir, Ph.D.
Bruce Crapuchettes, Ph.D.
This Page:
Imago Relationship Therapy was
developed by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., and is a systematic theory of marriage and
marital/relationship therapy that powerfully synthesizes major aspects of depth
psychology, object relations, systems theory, behavioral and Gestalt psychology,
and humanistic-existential theory. It extends the understanding of
unconscious meaning, self-organization and relational dynamics into a systematic
theory of people in committed relationships. IRT is a pragmatic therapy
that will give you effective tools to work with clients and to empower them on
their journey of healing and reclaiming wholeness. Couples can learn
specific skills to assist each other in healing childhood wounds that affect
present-day relationships, to create emotional safety and intimacy in their
relationship, to move from reactivity to intentionality, and to renew the love,
the passion, and the possibility of their life together.
What
some recognized Imago Therapists say about this training
program:
"As a trainer in the area of
marriage and family therapy, I can say unequivocally that Imago Relationship
Therapy is the most effective model for understanding and
improving relationships. It works!"
Pat Love, Ed.D., Austin Texas
Author of
The Truth About Love, and Hot Monogamy
Director of Austin Family
Institute
President, International Assn. of Marriage & Family
Therapy
"Dr. Hendrix, Ph.D. is the
innovative thinker behind this comprehensive and effective
method for conducting couples therapy. Author of the best selling "Getting The Love You Want: a guide for couples" he has
developed a sound theory and practice that makes sense out
of this difficult specialty. The Imago International
Institute in Florida is now offering two training programs
in one, a clinical track for therapists and an educational
track for others who want to use the skills in their workplace or just may desire the training for personal growth. I
have been in private practice for over 20 years. Because I have
used Imago Relationship Therapy since 1983 with clients, I
can attest to the effectiveness and power in this
model."
Joyce Buckner, Ph.D.,
Arlington, Texas
Author of Making Real Love Happen
Clinical Psychologist
This 12 day training will assist you as
clinicians to become skilled in applying this therapy when working with
couples. It will focus on Imago clinical procedures, clinical
demonstrations and review of participants' cases.
The Clinical Track is designed
for all those who eventually would like to become a Certified Imago Therapist.
You may enter the Clinical Track as soon as you like in
your clinical training program.
To become a Certified Imago Therapist and be eligible for clinical
membership in the Institute For Imago Relationship Therapy (IIRT) you will need
to:
have attended the 20 hour "Getting The Love You Want - Couples Workshop";**
completed all course requirements in the basic Imago Training Program in Couples Therapy;
hold a graduate degree in a mental health field (the usual degrees held are MFCC, LCSW, MD, Ph.D., and M.Div. for pastoral counselors if they belong to AAPC);
be a member of a national clinical association;
have a clinical practice with couples;
have 300+ hours of post-graduate clinical supervision (150 hrs. must be one-on-one supervision - supervision means time spent with a supervisor - not client hours supervised);
demonstrate equivalency of the
above by submitting your vita with a letter of explanation.
Theory:
To train professionals to
understand the history and dynamics of adult intimate relationships and to
understand:
- how we defend ourselves
from childhood pain by developing character adaptations
which influence adult relationships;
- how the unconscious forces that draw two individuals together for
healing are also the source of their
conflict;
- the importance of the
recovery of empathy through the mechanism of dialogue;
- and much more
Clinical
Skills:
To learn how to facilitate
processes between couples that promote communication that is safe, healing and
growth producing and also learn how to facilitate:
- "Initial Interview" and
"Couples Dialogue"
- "Parent/Child Dialogue" and
"Holding Exercise"
- the restructuring of
frustrations with "Behavior Change Request Dialogues"
- the resolving of anger with
the "Container Exercise."
- cognitive vs affective material
- and much more
* Attend twelve eight-hour days of intensive training
* Participate in training
exercises and small groups
* Complete assigned readings
* During later sessions, present video tape samples of your work with
couples for supervision
* Receive positive evaluations
* Execute an "Understandings and Agreements" contract
* Serve as clinical support
staff in a 20 hour couples workshop within one year of
course completion.
Graduate permissions and benefits
If graduates of the clinical training
program qualify, they may apply to the Imago Institute in Florida after
completion of course work and join as a Clinical Member of
Imago Relationships International (this requires a yearly membership fee
plus continuing education to maintain certification).
This distinction qualifies them to call themselves Certified Imago
Therapists and allows them to be listed in the Imago Directory, receive the
Journal Of Imago Relationship Therapy plus other
privileges.
Educational Track (Non-Clinical training)
This training is also suitable
for non-clinicians who want to broaden their experience and capabilities in applying
the Imago techniques in any business or professional
setting. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of relationship and their application to the workplace and
increase productivity.
To participate in this training
program and to be eligible to become an Educational Member of IRI you will need
to:
* have participated in the 20
hour "Getting The Love You Want - Couples Workshop"**
* submit two letters of
recommendation from professionals on letterhead stationary
that affirms you can assimilate graduate level education with profit and would be a contribution to a class of graduate level
clinicians.
** Couples Workshop participation must be
completed with your spouse or intimate partner from an Imago certified
workshop presenter. If you do not have a partner, a
friend, relative or colleague will qualify. A Singles
Workshop may not be attended to
fulfill this requirement. This requirement must be
completed prior to Session 1 of the Training Program and is not subject to waiver.
This is a new level of certification being offered. No
degree is necessary to become an Imago Educator. This training is also suitable
for non-clinicians who want to broaden their experience and capabilities in applying
the Imago techniques in any business or professional
setting. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of relationship and their application to the workplace and
increase productivity.
To participate in this training
program and to be eligible to become an Imago Educator of IRI you will need
to:
* have participated in the 20
hour "Getting The Love You Want - Couples Workshop"**
* submit two letters of
recommendation from professionals on letterhead stationary
that affirms you can assimilate graduate level education with profit and would be a contribution to a class of graduate level
clinicians.
* complete a project agreed upon by both trainee and trainer that demonstrates
an understanding of Imago concepts.
** Couples Workshop participation must be
completed with your spouse or intimate partner from an Imago certified workshop presenter.
If you do not have a partner, a friend, relative or colleague will qualify.
A Singles
Workshop may not be attended to
fulfill this requirement. This requirement must be
completed prior to Session 1 of the Training Program and is not subject to waiver.
Supervision ($120/hr for one on one, $100 if part of Basic Clinical Training program, $100 for group supervision )
Once you've completed your training you may want to take
advantage of our supervision group. Clinical Supervision is offered to those who have
completed the Basic Clinical Training on the clinical track as well as those who
are working on becoming an Imago Educator. Supervision is offered in two
different ways.
Phone Session
One on one with one of the trainers in an hour (or longer if desired) session in person or over the phone. Prior to a one on one session a video or DVD of the trainee working with a couple (with the couple's permission) is submitted to the trainer. The one hour session is spent with the trainer giving feedback of the work done in the video or DVD over the phone.
Group Supervision
The other type of Supervision that is offered is group form. The group meets every other month on a Sunday from 10:30 to 4:30 with a potluck lunch (click here for schedule). 5 hours of continuing education units are given to every attendee at each of the meetings. Because space in the group is limited to 8, a one year commitment is required. The cost is $100 per meeting and $50 for an unexcused absence. You are allowed one excused absence a year. All subsequent absences are subject to the $50 fee. If you are interested in checking out group supervision before you make a commitment you can attend one meeting at $100. If you decide to join that group $25 from that fee will go toward your next group. Many find the atmosphere of group supervision is extremely helpful in reaching certification, not to mention collegial and fun.
Required Supervision
After the 12 days of Basic Clinical Training, 6 months of supervision is
required. This can be done by sending in a tape monthly, or combining it with
attending the group supervision every other month.