Photo of Laura Brodie, Licensed Professional Counselor in 80302, CO
Laura Brodie
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, ATR, LPC
Verified Verified
Boulder, CO 80302
Your personal healing has been my focus for almost 40 years. This level of experience gifts me with training in many theoretical approaches, compassionate listening, astute insights. You might want to mend an intimate partnership, recover from self-destructive and self-sabotaging patterns or addictions, or get support during a major life transition. My expertise is with Imago Relationship Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), The Journey Process, PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy), art psychotherapy, & hypnotherapy. It is my privilege to speak with you in an initial consultation free of charge.
Your personal healing has been my focus for almost 40 years. This level of experience gifts me with training in many theoretical approaches, compassionate listening, astute insights. You might want to mend an intimate partnership, recover from self-destructive and self-sabotaging patterns or addictions, or get support during a major life transition. My expertise is with Imago Relationship Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), The Journey Process, PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy), art psychotherapy, & hypnotherapy. It is my privilege to speak with you in an initial consultation free of charge.
(720) 885-9559 View (720) 885-9559
Photo of Annie Vail, Licensed Professional Counselor in 80302, CO
Annie Vail
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, CHT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Boulder, CO 80302
Waitlist for new clients
I believe in your capacity to find the healing you seek and create the life you envision. Perhaps you are dealing with anxiety or depression, grieving the death of a loved one or a painful breakup, struggle with belonging, or just feel stuck and know that you are ready to do something about it. Do you want more intimacy, connection, and joy in your relationships? Let me help you uncover unconscious patterns and beliefs and heal from old wounds that may be keeping you from living from your best self. Together we can bring more love, capacity, skill, and presence into your relationships.
I believe in your capacity to find the healing you seek and create the life you envision. Perhaps you are dealing with anxiety or depression, grieving the death of a loved one or a painful breakup, struggle with belonging, or just feel stuck and know that you are ready to do something about it. Do you want more intimacy, connection, and joy in your relationships? Let me help you uncover unconscious patterns and beliefs and heal from old wounds that may be keeping you from living from your best self. Together we can bring more love, capacity, skill, and presence into your relationships.
(503) 966-9615 View (503) 966-9615

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.