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Are you thinking about couples therapy? If you are thinking about therapy, this is a good sign; this means that you are willing to put forth the effort for the success of your relationship.
Attending therapy can mean helping men talk about their problems and other related issues. It can also mean becoming more aware of your partner’s thoughts and feelings. Together, you can work with a therapist to learn more about one another to grow closer.
Learn why couples are turning towards imago therapy, what it is, and how it is helping them heal! Also, learn what circumstances require a different type of therapy altogether. Find out if imago therapy is for you.
What is Imago Therapy?
If you want to understand your partner or spouse, imago therapy may be for you. Imago therapy is also known as Imago Relationship Therapy or IRT. It is a form of therapy that focuses on relationships and the issues that may arise in those relationships.
A key aspect of imago therapy is the image of past loves. As you may have gathered, imago means image in Latin. Therapists use the view of your past loves to learn more about your current love.
Past loves refer to the connection and care you may or may not have felt in your childhood and upbringing. For example, if someone was raised in a home without much affection, this can affect the way they love their current partner. By using this model, therapists can help you determine why you show emotion the way that you do.
Common Reasons People Choose Imago Therapy
The most obvious reason people often choose imago therapy is that they desire to grow more intimate with their partner or spouse. There could be several reasons couples wish to develop their relationship.
It’s possible that the couple has been together for a long time and they feel that they have lost that “spark”. There is also the possibility that they have run into several issues in their relationship. For example, there may be lies or infidelity.
Couples may also feel that they can no longer connect with their partner. For instance, a wife may feel that she can not communicate her desire for intimacy with her husband. Likewise, a husband may find it difficult to open up and be honest with his wife.
How Imago Therapy Helps Relationships
Imago Relationship Therapy helps couples in more ways than one! A recent study, published in 2021, shows that this therapy form had great success for couples looking to improve their intimacy and trust. It also proved to be extremely helpful for those living with consistent conflict.
A therapist will guide you and your partner through various circumstances and questions. By doing so, they will help you see how your past has influenced your current relationship. You will also see an increase in empathy between you and your partner.
IRT is also beneficial for those who wish to see their relationship through their partner’s eyes. For many, the conflict comes from a place of misunderstanding and confusion. Imago therapy can help you understand more about your partner and more about yourself.
When Doesn’t Imago Therapy Not Work?
While it would be nice to know that imago therapy works for everyone all of the time, this is not always the case. Many examples and relationships will not benefit from imago relationship therapy.
Couples living with domestic abuse may not find success with this therapy. In these cases, it is pertinent that you find help from authority figures. A therapist is capable of finding the help you need, but maybe not healing your relationship.
Another must for imago therapy is for both partners to be willing to partake. If only one person wishes to grow the relationship, it is difficult for the relationship to succeed. Even though it can feel uncomfortable, both parties must be willing to put in the work.
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