Most couples, if not all, are faced with issues of autonomy and connection. "Must I sacrifice essential parts of myself to be connected", is often a concern brought by couples to counseling. Many couples find themselves in an ongoing stormy and stuck cycle. Needless to say, in addition to being stuck in the storm, both parties experience a lot of pain.
So loving, in a real human way, might *sometimes* come interspersed with some painful moments. Sometimes such moments, the "wearing and tearing" process of loving, are easier to deal with when looked at as a map, pointing the couple in a particular direction that is important for their individual growth as well as the growth of their relationship. Sometimes, those places of hurt need to hear many "I'm sorry's", be gently held, and are even challenging: Which difficult parts of my partner's character make-up am I willing to work with and empathically hold in myself? Now, that is a hard one for many of us to face. But face it we will. You might find yourself surprised once you discover that you are not alone in that painful place. Luckily, a really amazing compass to use in order to find your way through the stuck-and-stormy-map is Imago. Oftentimes after a session couples leave with a sense of immediate relief and a deeper connection they couldn't have dream of when they entered the session that same day. As many of you know, Imago offers very specific techniques and tools one can use outside of the session, too, enabling your continuous growth. Imago is not just for those who are coupled - did you know that Imago therapy offers a very specific approach to self-exploration? And really knowing yourself, on a deep intimate level, is what truly allows us to fully be with someone else.
Whether you are currently in sessions, one of the *happy-campers* practicing Imago dialogue on the as-needed-basis, or contemplating getting into Imago - as a couple or individually, may this spring open up many bonding moments - with yourselves, and with others.
On that note, here is a passage from a very special story - "The Velveteen rabbit", by Margery Williams. It speaks so clearly about what the real love is. Hope you'll enjoy it:

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

For the Curious at Heart - Imago Connects!
Already hooked on Imago and have some friends and family that you'd like to get introduced to Imago but not sure how to do it?
Wanting to "polish" your Imago-skills, or interested in taking your relationship to the next level?
Wanting to understand relationship patterns and dynamics?
Come join us for a 3h introduction
to Imago Therapy & Theory.
Next Imago Connects seminar is
April 28th 2010
at 6:30pm.
Connect. We will show you how!

Getting the Love You Want Couples Workshop 2010

Basic Clinical Training Dates for 2008/09/10

Week I: Jan. 13 to 16, 2010
Week II: April 07 to 10, 2010
Week III: June 09 to 12, 2010

Vancouver Group 2

Week I: Nov. 18 to 21, 2009
Week II: Feb, 02 to 06, 2010
Week III: May 05 to 08, 2010

Toronto Group 18
Week I: Oct. 18 to 21, 2010
Week II: Jan. 26 to 29, 2011
Week III: March 23 to 26, 2011

Calgary Group 2
Week I: June 22 to 25, 2010
Week II: Sept. 14 to 17, 2010
Week III: Nov. 22 to 25, 2010

Characterological Growth in Vancouver
May 1, 2 & 3

Workshop Presenters Training in Toronto or Atlanta
Week I Sept. 15 - 18/10
Week II Nov. 10 - 13/10
Week III Feb.23 - 26/11