Mission:

We abide by a safe, structured process to facilitate our dream of healing the world one relationship at a time

The Imago Consultation Group 3.0 is grounded in Imago theory and practice. It is intended to guide newly minted imago therapists through the early stages of competency and offer seasoned imago therapists group wisdom and the support needed to carry on the challenge of helping couples grow and heal. Our work is informed by our own characterological journey, and just as we develop greater proficiency within the Imago toolset, we also recognize that our own adaptations guide much of our clinical decision-making. By observing our work in a new way we are able to transcend our self-limiting styles and find real-time solutions within us to the impasse our couples bring. The safety of the relational space of the group is foundational. Group confidentiality standards apply. We practice a group structure that ensures didactic learning, personal growth, and professional mastery.

The group asks members to make a 6-month commitment. The fee for the 6-month period is $300.

Why is it called “Imago Consultation Group 3.0?

There are two reasons for the name – one historical, one theoretical.

The group has a rich history of over 20 years. Version 1.0: In 1999 Imago Masters Wendy Patterson and Maya Kollman certified Waverly Farrell as an Imago Consultant. Waverly has led this group since then until her retirement in Dec 2018. Meetings were held in person in Waverly’s home. In the summer of 2018, under the supervision of Wendy, Waverly trained and certified three longtime members so that the Southern California Imago group could seamlessly continue to serve our professional community. Version 2.0: Duane Harvey, MFT, Vera Eck, MFT and I continued the group, meeting in-person, virtually, and hybrid, then going completely virtual when the pandemic began. Version 3.0: As Duane and Vera have moved into new directions, I have taken up the mantle to continue the legacy of the group.

Throughout this history, the structure, style, and tone of the group have remained the same It is represented in the Vision statement developed at the beginning of Imago Consultation Group 3.0: We abide by a safe, structured process to facilitate our dream of healing the world one relationship at a time.

The second reason for the name is the importance of the number 3 in Imago theory and practice.

• There are 3 steps in dialogue (Mirroring, Validation, Empathy)
• There are 3 stages on the journey of relationship (Romance, Power Struggle, Conscious Partnership)
• There are 3 magic little words we invite when mirroring (“Is there more?”)

Further, the 3 stages on the journey of relationship reflect the 3 stages of any spiritual journey. Spiritual author Richard Rohr writes about order, disorder, and reorder. As we begin the journey, we experience order in the excitement of experiencing something new. At some point, we can become disillusioned, presented with something that upsets the apple cart, and experience disorder. At this point, we can choose to abandon the journey, stay but become resigned to the disorder, or challenge ourselves to view it as an opportunity for growth and healing. In working through the disorder, we can experience reorder – not going back to the original order, but something beyond and much better.

It is what we help our couples do. And it is part of our own development as therapists. I welcome you to join us on the journey.

If you are interested in the group and/or have any questions, please contact me directly
[email protected] – 310-268-7792