Category: Imago
There’s a poem by Jayne Gumpel that always stops me in my tracks. It’s called Goddamn It, Just Ask Me. It speaks to a part of me that has, for much of my life, been quiet—maybe even invisible: the part of me that has needs. For years, I saw myself as a giver. I was […]
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Imagine you hear a loud thud coming from outside. What thoughts come to mind? Maybe “That’s concerning…” or “Oh, they were doing road work nearby today…” or “That’s that package I ordered…” Any of those might fit with what has really happened; any one may well be reality. Or none of those might fit. What […]
READ ARTICLEI speak three languages — French, English, and Spanish — and I can tell you from experience: understanding the words doesn’t mean you fully understand the culture. You can know how to order un café con leche in Spanish and still feel totally out of place at a family table in Barcelona. You can understand […]
READ ARTICLEImago Therapy is Not Just for Couples “Mom, are you being nice or are you being mean? I’m trying to be nice, so you need to try too.” — A precocious little girl in a viral moment of emotional wisdom We often say that children live in the space between their parents—not just physically, but […]
READ ARTICLEThe Transformative Power of Imago Therapy It’s Not About the Toothpaste In relationships, it’s rarely about the toothpaste. It’s about what the toothpaste represents—what lives beneath the surface of our irritation, what old stories are being unconsciously activated, and how deeply we long to feel understood. Jayne Gumpel, a gifted North American Imago therapist and […]
READ ARTICLEMy Imago Starting from early childhood, each of us is watching the world around us. Children are always watching, picking up images that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The term “imago” comes from Latin for “image” and refers to an unconscious, idealized picture of familiar love that develops during childhood […]
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Love is a beautiful journey, but for many BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) couples, relationships exist within a unique landscape—one shaped by cultural expectations, generational trauma, systemic challenges, and the desire to create something strong, joyful, and lasting. Navigating love while carrying these layers can be challenging, but healing is possible. The Getting […]
READ ARTICLEJoshua sat on the park bench, watching the golden leaves drift to the ground. Beside him, Brianna gazed at the quiet lake, her fingers entwined with his. It was peaceful now, but they both knew their love had weathered storms. Love was never just a straight path—it was a cycle, a relationship journey. The Romance […]
READ ARTICLEThe Imago Dance: Understanding Relationship Dynamics Imago Theory, developed by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, provides a relational framework that examines how childhood experiences shape adult relationships. At the heart of this theory lies the dynamic interplay between minimizers and maximizers, creating a unique relational dance that can either lead to misunderstanding or become a […]
READ ARTICLEAs I settled into my office chair after an enlightening professional course on ambivalence in relationships, I found myself reflecting on the myriad of couples and individuals I’ve counseled over the years. The concept of ambivalence—a tapestry of mixed feelings and contradictory ideas about a person or situation—suddenly took on new depth and meaning. The […]
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