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CC21 Keynote 08 - Doing Imago Relationship in the Space-Between - Harville Hendrix, PhD and Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD


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Topic Areas:
Couples Therapy |  IMAGO |  Communication |  Keynotes |  Relationships |  Therapist Development
Categories:
Couples Conference |  Couples Conference 2021 |  Online Continuing Education |  Pioneers in Couples and Family Therapy
Faculty:
Harville Hendrix, PhD |  Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD
Course Levels:
Master Degree or Higher in Health-Related Field
Duration:
1 hour
Format:
Audio and Video
Original Program Date:
Jun 06, 2021
License:
Never Expires.



Description

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:

  1. Discover a new way to think about couples and couples therapy.
  2. Learn the Imago Dialogue Process.
  3. Practice the first step of the Imago Dialogue Process.

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

Outline:

Exercise and Ontological Statement

  • Audience invited to affirm personal worth with “I am wonderful.”

  • A video of the “still face” experiment was shown to illustrate how relational connection affects well-being.

  • Emphasis on the essential human need for positive connection and affirmation.

Conscious Partnership and Relational Paradigm

  • Imago therapy’s goal is to build conscious partnerships full of joy and connection.

  • Shifts focus from individual psychology to relational dynamics.

  • Therapy happens “in the space between” partners, influenced by tone, gaze, and presence.

Importance of the Space Between

  • “Still face” experiment illustrates how emotional disconnect triggers distress.

  • Healthy relationships rely on energy and safety in the space between partners.

  • Therapists help shift this space from reactive to supportive and connected.

Imago Dialog Process

  • Structured process: appointment, mirroring, summarizing, validating, empathizing.

  • Designed to remove negativity and foster safety and mutual understanding.

  • Encourages sentence stems to reduce reactivity and build emotional regulation.

Demonstration with a Couple

  • Dennis shared childhood feelings of neglect and helplessness.

  • Demetra mirrored, validated, and responded with empathy.

  • The process led to emotional closeness and gratitude from both.

Benefits and Testimonials

  • Couples report deeper emotional connection and improved communication.

  • Dialog promotes safety, self-regulation, and brain health.

  • Reinforces differentiation and connection within the relationship.

Q&A and Closing

  • Addressed questions on session length, COVID’s impact, and dealing with infidelity.

  • Emphasis on working through ambivalence and turning frustrations into requests.

  • Harville and Helen shared their personal journey to inspire hope and healing.

 

Credits


A.P.A.

1 credits available.

The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 

THE MILTON H. ERICKSON FOUNDATION Policy on Disclosure

The Milton H. Erickson Foundation is proud of the conferences and other
educational opportunities it sponsors, taking care that the conduct of
these activities conforms to the standards and principles of behavioral
and medical sciences, thus ensuring balance, independence, objectivity
and scientific rigor in all individually sponsored or jointly sponsored educational
activities.

All faculty members participating in a sponsored activity, and those who
review and therefore are in control of content, are requested to disclose
any relevant financial relationship prior to the CME activity, including but
not limited to specific commercial interests, financial remuneration received
by faculty member or spouse, and what role or activity was performed
for this remuneration. If a conflict of interest exists as a result of
a financial relationship it will be resolved prior to the activity. A faculty
member will not be allowed to present if the conflict is not or cannot be
resolved.​



Handouts

Faculty

Harville Hendrix, PhD's Profile

Harville Hendrix, PhD Related Seminars and Products


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's Profile

Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD Related Seminars and Products


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.


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