Description:

The process of contracting for change in the initial session will be described and discussed. Methods of targeting goals will be compared and contrasted.

Educational Objectives:

1. Given the patient, describe three different ways of establishing goals.
2. Describe how goals can be empirically informed.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

Introduction of Panelists and Their Contributions

• Cloe Madanes: Leading teacher of family and strategic therapy, author of 7 books.

• Dr. Harville Hendrix & Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt: Co-creators of Imago Relationship Therapy, NYT bestsellers, founders of Imago Relationships International.

• Dr. Jack Kornfield: Buddhist teacher, meditation expert, author with books in 22 languages.

Reflections on the Goal of Therapy

• Therapy aims to help people access love, self-giving, and connection.

• Emotional issues are a leading cause of hospital visits.

• Healing tools include talking, movement, art, and building trust.

• Emphasis on helping clients expand beyond a limited self and experience compassion.

Imago Relationship Therapy: Safety and Connection

• Therapy helps people feel safe and connect through conscious relationships.

• Imago Dialog focuses on structure, zero negativity, empathy, and affirmations.

• Safe connection is achieved by creating predictability and emotional safety.

Empathy and Affirmations in Therapy

• Empathy: Understanding and validating a partner’s feelings.

• Daily affirmations before bed build appreciation and connection.

• Therapists should encourage fun and play to strengthen bonds.

Spiritual Dimensions in Therapy

• Spirituality is approached with openness, not imposed.

• Stories of using rituals to manage trauma are shared.

• Therapy techniques are adapted to cultural contexts while keeping structure.

Promoting Safety and Connection

• Safety must come first before meaningful dialog can happen.

• Sessions begin by reflecting clients’ concerns to build trust.

• Deep listening is essential for clients to feel understood.

Adapting Therapy for Neurodiverse Clients

• Imago therapy supports communication but may need to be supplemented for neurodiverse clients.

• The process remains structured but is culturally and neurologically adaptable.

• Mindfulness and self-acceptance help neurodiverse clients manage emotions.

Developing Empathy in Clients

• Clients are guided to explore childhood challenges and see how these impact behavior.

• Safe dialog allows partners to express and develop empathy.

• Visualization of the partner’s childhood builds deeper understanding.

Final Reflections and Closing

• Panelists stress the value of safety, respect, and spiritual grounding in therapy.

• Imago Dialog helps create empathy and a sense of being seen.

• Respectful language and intentional connection are key to healing.