Imago Therapists in 06320
Kim Gordon
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
New London, CT 06320
I am a clinical social worker in private practice since 1996. I have extensive experience working with adults, adolescents, couples, and families experiencing emotional distress. My specialties include depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief and loss, job/school stress, life transition, and relationship issues. My goal is to empower clients to enact change by developing insight and clarity as to the origins and contributors to their distress. I work with clients to identify fears, guilt, destructive patterns, and family influences that are affecting their ability to live a healthy, satisfying life. My style is highly interactive, supportive, caring, and direct.
I am a clinical social worker in private practice since 1996. I have extensive experience working with adults, adolescents, couples, and families experiencing emotional distress. My specialties include depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief and loss, job/school stress, life transition, and relationship issues. My goal is to empower clients to enact change by developing insight and clarity as to the origins and contributors to their distress. I work with clients to identify fears, guilt, destructive patterns, and family influences that are affecting their ability to live a healthy, satisfying life. My style is highly interactive, supportive, caring, and direct.
Barbara Holtzman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Verified Verified
New London, CT 06320 (Online Only)
Are you living your life by design or by default? Perhaps the symptom that brought you here today is not the real issue but is actually a message from your deepest wisdom to nudge you towards living your authentic life. Whether you are hoping to change your relationship with food and your body, shift your patterns in relationships, cope with an illness or pain, or simply to like yourself better, I have a question for you. Are you looking simply to alleviate your symptom (often replaced by another) or are you open to living from your heart’s desire to be fully Alive? I invite you to participate in this journey with me.
Are you living your life by design or by default? Perhaps the symptom that brought you here today is not the real issue but is actually a message from your deepest wisdom to nudge you towards living your authentic life. Whether you are hoping to change your relationship with food and your body, shift your patterns in relationships, cope with an illness or pain, or simply to like yourself better, I have a question for you. Are you looking simply to alleviate your symptom (often replaced by another) or are you open to living from your heart’s desire to be fully Alive? I invite you to participate in this journey with me.
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Imago Therapists
How does Imago therapy work?
Imago relationship therapy is a form of couples counseling meant to help partners address conflict, communication problems, and related issues. Imago sessions typically involve couples sitting facing each other and participating in guided conversations. Therapy will also involve exercises such as re-imagining one’s partner as a wounded child; re-romanticizing a relationship through appreciation, surprises, and even gift-giving and restructuring frustrations by transforming complaints into requests. The ultimate goal is to re-envision the relationship as a source of safety and happiness.
What is the Imago method?
A core technique of Imago therapy is the Imago dialogue, in which partners learn to avoid hurtful statements and establish ways to interact based on each having equal space and power. In the dialogue, partners take turns as the “sender,” who shares their thoughts, and the “receiver.” The receiver is asked to “mirror,” or paraphrase, what their partner has said, without response or rebuttal, and then validate their statements, acknowledging understanding even if they do not personally agree with it. Finally, the receiver displays empathy by stating what they imagine the other is feeling, and showing appreciation for it.
How long does Imago therapy take?
As with most forms of talk therapy, there is no set duration or end point for Imago therapy. After becoming comfortable with a therapist and the core techniques of Imago coaching, some couples quickly make progress, but most should expect sessions to extend for months, encompassing at least 12 to 20 sessions, along with extensive “homework” from their therapist.
Does Imago therapy work?
There is limited empirical evidence to support the benefits of Imago therapy, but some smaller studies suggest that it does help couples, at least in the short-term. A 2017 study found that marital satisfaction increased significantly after couples completed 12 sessions of Imago therapy, and remained higher for some time after that, but did not always result in “complete recovery.” Other studies found greater empathy and fewer feelings of relationship burnout in couples after therapy. Some research suggests that Imago therapy can aid individuals as well as couples; people with ADHD in particular may benefit from the development of communication, self-control, and listening skills that form the basis of the technique.