It turns out that thousands of people a day go to the internet to find couples therapy.  And hardly any look for a couples weekend workshop.  Well, why would you?  Your total exposure to the workshop is probably through the movie “Couples Retreat”.  Not the best recommendation!

So you probably haven’t even thought of doing both at once! 

Why both an Imago workshop and couples counseling?   Because together it can be a quicker, cheaper, and more effective path to relationship help.

There’s nothing wrong with couples therapy on its own, of course.  However in Imago Relationship Therapy we’re not trying to get you addicted to therapy visits, we want to give you the understanding and skills, so that you and your partner solve your own relationship problems.  Together. 

At an Imago couples weekend workshop you and your partner go through a journey together, so that by the time you leave you understand why you fell in love, why you have such painful arguments, and how you are going to create a wonderful future together.  All in two days.  Attendees describe it as like two year’s of couples therapy.  That’s why we call it “Getting The Love You Want.”

But don’t underestimate how valuable an imago couples therapist can be to get the most out of the workshop.  Without them it can find the insights and newly restored love slipping away.  But a relationship counselor can help you really integrate the skills, and guide you into some of the deepest conversations which will make the most long-term difference.

That’s why the workshop/therapy combination can work quickly (two-days for a big change), be lower-cost (you would need a lot of therapy sessions to cover the workshop material), and more effective (the therapy helps re-inforce the workshop).

So – big question.  Where to start.  Couples Therapist or Workshop?  It really depends on what you feel about your relationship.  If you just need a little relationship help to restore some romance, well start with a workshop and see if you need more.  But if you feel really disappointed in your relationship, and are longing for significant change, it would be good to connect with an imago couples therapist first.  They can help you get the most from the workshop.

There’s another good reason for signing up with a couples counselor before taking the workshop.  Chances are you will feel on cloud nine after the workshop – all your relationship problems blown away with the wind.  Oops – and then a few weeks later…. back they creep.  But if you already have a couples therapist in place, you are much more likely to follow-up the workshop with a few sessions, and get the most long-term value.

Of course, if you are like me, you might be terrified of a couples weekend workshop where you have to reveal your deepest secrets to strangers.  The good news is – you don’t have to.  You get plenty of time to work on your relationship – but privately with your partner.  Unless you volunteer of course.