Find Deeper Connection: Imago Relationship Therapy for Couples in Switzerland
Healing Together: Introducing Imago Relationship Therapy to My Practice
When I think about the heart of the work I do with women—especially expat women living here in Switzerland—I often see a common thread: relationships. Whether it's the relationship with a partner, a family member, or even themselves, many of the struggles that bring women to counseling are, at their core, relational.
That’s why I’m so excited to share that beginning in June, I’ll be offering Imago Relationship Therapy for couples in my practice at Ashley Allen Counseling. I’m currently undergoing specialized training in this powerful approach because I deeply believe it offers a transformative path not just for couples, but for individual healing too.
What is Imago Relationship Therapy?
Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) was developed by Drs. Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt. It’s rooted in the idea that the challenges we experience in adult relationships are often tied to unmet emotional needs from childhood. In other words, the conflicts we face now aren’t random—they are deeply connected to our core wounds and our longing for connection (Hendrix & Hunt, 1988).
Using structured dialogue, active listening, and mutual empathy, Imago helps couples move out of blame and defensiveness into understanding, compassion, and connection. It gives partners a roadmap to truly see and hear one another—a profound experience that can be incredibly healing.
You can learn more about the foundations of Imago here.
Why I’m Incorporating Imago into my practice
As an American therapist based here in Lutry, I see firsthand how many expat couples struggle with added layers of stress—cultural adjustment, loneliness, parenting abroad, and building support systems from scratch. These pressures often show up in our closest relationships, leading to misunderstandings, distance, and sometimes even hopelessness.
Imago offers a way back. It doesn’t just help partners communicate better (although it certainly does that); it helps them rebuild safety and emotional attunement—the very things many of us crave but often don't know how to ask for. Research shows that therapies like Imago, which focus on emotional attunement and structured communication, lead to greater relationship satisfaction and stability (Schmidt, Nachtigall, Wuethrich-Martone, & Strauss, 2017).
And the best part? Even individuals who come to therapy alone can use Imago principles to heal relational patterns, build stronger boundaries, and foster deeper connections in all areas of their lives.
The Science Behind Imago
One of the reasons I was drawn to Imago is because it’s deeply rooted in attachment theory and neuroscience. Studies show that our brains are wired for connection, and disruptions in attachment early in life can lead to patterns of anxiety, avoidance, or reactivity in adult relationships (Johnson, 2019). Imago helps rewire these patterns through safe, empathic connection, giving couples and individuals a new relational experience that is both healing and empowering.
In fact, relational neuroscience backs up what Imago has taught for decades: feeling seen, heard, and valued by a significant other promotes emotional regulation, resilience, and a greater sense of security (Siegel, 2012). Through intentional dialogue and a focus on empathy, couples can create what Dr. Daniel Siegel calls a "safe haven," where growth and healing naturally occur.
Imago for Individuals: Healing the Self Through Relationship
Even if you’re not in a partnership right now, the Imago lens can still be transformative. Working individually, we can explore the patterns that show up in your relationships—past or present—and begin healing them from the inside out. This work builds self-awareness, emotional resilience, and the ability to form healthier, more connected relationships in the future.
Research confirms that even individuals who engage in relational therapies see improvements in emotional well-being, self-esteem, and relationship readiness (Timm & Keiley, 2011).
Looking Forward
I truly believe Imago adds something special and needed to my work with women and couples. Many of the women I work with are at a crossroads, longing for deeper, healthier connections. Imago offers not just hope, but a tangible, evidence-based pathway forward.
If you’re curious to learn more about how Imago Relationship Therapy could support you or your relationship, feel free to reach out to me. You can also explore more about the Imago approach directly at Imago Relationships International.
Starting in June 2025, I’ll be offering couples sessions with an Imago-informed approach, and I can’t wait to see how this work can help us heal, grow, and reconnect.
References
Hendrix, H., & Hunt, H. (1988). Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples. New York: Harper & Row.
Johnson, S. (2019). Attachment Theory in Practice: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with Individuals, Couples, and Families. Guilford Press.
Schmidt, S., Nachtigall, C., Wuethrich-Martone, O., & Strauss, B. (2017). Attachment and relationship satisfaction: The mediating effects of shame and guilt in couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 34(1), 39-61.
Siegel, D. (2012). The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. Guilford Press.
Timm, T. M., & Keiley, M. K. (2011). The Effects of Solution-Focused Therapy on Communication Patterns and Levels of Conflict for Married Couples. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 37(2), 206–215.
