What Is Imago Relationship Therapy and What Does It Focus On?

Imago Relationship Therapy is a form of couples and relationship therapy that focuses on transforming conflict into healing and growth through relational connection. It was developed in 1980 by relationship experts and New York Times best-selling authors Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., and Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D., and is practiced by thousands of therapists in nearly 50 countries. It is best suited to couples who want to resolve conflict while staying connected, rather than treating conflict as a sign the relationship should end.

The Core Idea

Most couples therapy approaches treat conflict as a problem to be managed or minimized. Imago treats it differently: conflict is the entry point for healing. The therapy is built on the premise that the friction couples experience is not random but patterned, and that working through that friction deliberately—through structured connection—can produce growth for both partners and for the relationship itself.

The organization behind the method, Imago Relationships Worldwide, frames its work around three words: Talk. Listen. Connect. That sequence reflects the method's emphasis on structured speaking and listening as the route to a deeper connection, rather than on winning arguments or assigning blame.

What It Focuses On

Imago's stated goals are concrete and relationship-centered:

• Getting the love you want — identifying and asking for what you actually need from a partner.
• Keeping the love you find — sustaining connection after the initial intensity fades.
• Connecting securely and deeply with your partner — building a sense of safety in the relationship.
• Resolving conflict while staying connected — addressing disagreements without disengaging or escalating.

The unifying focus is the link between conflict and connection: the method holds that couples can move through disagreement without losing closeness, and that doing so is itself the healing mechanism.

Who It May Fit

Imago is a couples and relationship therapy, so its natural audience is partners working on their relationship together. It may be a reasonable fit if:

• You and your partner want to work on conflict patterns rather than avoid them.
• You are looking for a structured, connection-oriented approach rather than open-ended talk.
• You want a method with a long-established training and practitioner network behind it.

Because the site describes the therapy's goals and history but does not detail session formats, pricing, or eligibility, those specifics are best confirmed directly with a practitioner.

How to Take the Next Step

Imago Relationships Worldwide provides two practical entry points on its site:

1. Find a Therapist — to locate a practitioner trained in Imago Relationship Therapy.
2. Find Imago Training — for those interested in the training side, whether for professional development or deeper personal understanding.

If your goal is to understand the method before committing, start with the therapist directory and ask a prospective practitioner how they structure sessions and what the therapy typically involves for a couple in your situation.