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CC21 Keynote 08 - Doing Imago Relationship in the Space-Between - Harville Hendrix, PhD and Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD
Original Program Date :
Length: 1 hour
Description:
Since life is lived in the Space-Between and remembered in the Space-Within, the quality of “interaction” between intimate partners determines the content of subjective life. Using the power of Imago Dialogue facilitated by the therapist, couples are empowered to achieve their own transformation. Participants at this presentation will hear and see a demonstration of the essences of the process.
Educational Objectives:
- Discover a new way to think about couples and couples therapy.
- Learn the Imago Dialogue Process.
- Practice the first step of the Imago Dialogue Process.
*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*
Outline:
Exercise and Ontological Statement
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Audience invited to affirm personal worth with “I am wonderful.”
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A video of the “still face” experiment was shown to illustrate how relational connection affects well-being.
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Emphasis on the essential human need for positive connection and affirmation.
Conscious Partnership and Relational Paradigm
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Imago therapy’s goal is to build conscious partnerships full of joy and connection.
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Shifts focus from individual psychology to relational dynamics.
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Therapy happens “in the space between” partners, influenced by tone, gaze, and presence.
Importance of the Space Between
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“Still face” experiment illustrates how emotional disconnect triggers distress.
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Healthy relationships rely on energy and safety in the space between partners.
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Therapists help shift this space from reactive to supportive and connected.
Imago Dialog Process
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Structured process: appointment, mirroring, summarizing, validating, empathizing.
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Designed to remove negativity and foster safety and mutual understanding.
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Encourages sentence stems to reduce reactivity and build emotional regulation.
Demonstration with a Couple
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Dennis shared childhood feelings of neglect and helplessness.
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Demetra mirrored, validated, and responded with empathy.
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The process led to emotional closeness and gratitude from both.
Benefits and Testimonials
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Couples report deeper emotional connection and improved communication.
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Dialog promotes safety, self-regulation, and brain health.
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Reinforces differentiation and connection within the relationship.
Q&A and Closing
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Addressed questions on session length, COVID’s impact, and dealing with infidelity.
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Emphasis on working through ambivalence and turning frustrations into requests.
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Harville and Helen shared their personal journey to inspire hope and healing.
Harville Hendrix, PhD
Harville Hendrix, PhD and Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD are partners in life and work. Their lives and work are integrated in their commitment to the transformation of couples and families and to the evolution of a relational culture that supports universal equality. Harville is co-creator of Imago Relationship Therapy and co-founder of Imago Relationships International. Chancellor of the Imago International Institute and emeritus board member of IRI. Dr. Hendrix has received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Mercer University, Macon, GA, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and the Distinguished Contributors Award by the Association for Imago Relationship Therapy. His latest book, written with his wife, Helen Hunt, is Receiving Love.
Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD
Harville Hendrix, PhD and Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD are partners in life and work. Their lives and work are integrated in their commitment to the transformation of couples and families and to the evolution of a relational culture that supports universal equality.
