Couples
Creating a Safe Environment
I have embraced a new way of working with couples called Imago Therapy. The Imago model gently leads couples into a deeper understanding of each other's needs and focuses on helping partners begin to feel safe with each other. As a therapist, my task is to create an accepting environment where the couple can begin to truly listen to each other empathetically. I ask couples to think of me as their coach, not the one who knows their own internal answers. I believe individuals are the repositories of their own wisdom.
Intentional Dialogue Works
Imago empathetic listening is called "intentional dialogue" by Harville Hendrix, PhD. It promotes growth and change in the relationship by teaching partners to:
Supporting Each Other's Growth
The goal of intentional dialoguing is for the partners to become active in supporting each other's growth and to come to truly accepting their individual differences. When couples know how to listen to each other, they begin to let themselves be vulnerable and find their differences are less threatening. This is what Imago Therapy calls "coming to their full wholeness."
The Initial Contact
When a couple initially contacts me, I give them a set of questions about their relationship to answer individually and bring to their first appointment with me. Couples find these questions stimulate new ways of perceiving and growing the relationship. For me the beauty of using Imago Therapy is that couples begin the very first session using new tools that facilitate their growth toward "feeling felt" by each other -- a step toward recovering their intimacy.
"Lynn gave us tools to build genuine understanding with one another. After seven years of being together I can honestly say we've never been happier."
-- Couple with a 2-year-old and twins on the way
E-mail Lynn Tienken