My Fantasy Interview of the Future
Tim Atkinson

I like the “time-machine” approach to creating a vision. You just close your eyes, and tell yourself when you open them it will be 3 to 5 years later. Then you imagine yourself present in that time, and begin to describe it.

I particularly enjoy my time-machine. Mine has a knack for taking me to some great places. On my latest trip I arrived in a future world where Imago is very well known. And since, as a result, I was too, there was an interviewer around, ready to ask me questions about our success.

I would like to share with you my fantasy interview from 2007, 8, 9…..

Interviewer
“Today we talk with the Executive Director of Imago Relationships International. That’s the member association for 10,000 Imago therapists world-wide, whilst also a highly respected training institute for psychotherapists, whilst also being recognized as a major force in education and social change.”

Q: What is it like to be a member of Imago Relationships International?

A: That’s a great place to start, because our members are the living heart of Imago practice. We’ve had some great results from our satisfaction surveys. Members are delighted with the range of support and information, including a really top-notch monthly newsletter, and many opportunities for continuing education including tele-classes and video streaming. The annual conference is amazing, replete with incredible learning opportunities, and chances to mingle with therapists from around the world. We take the conference around the world, too!

The most exciting thing to watch has been the increasing success of our members in their own practices. People were difficult to convince when we first introduced Practice Builder courses, but once they saw the similarities to their own Imago practice, it really caught on. Our members learned that creating a strong relationship with potential clients and referral sources was about implementing a process for managing relationships, just like Imago practice. And like Imago, it worked!

Q: You are operating in 40 countries globally – is it the same experience outside the US?

A: There’s a great deal of support which can only be provided locally, so we worked to strengthen Imago groups in countries around the world. Now these local groups are licensed to represent Imago fully, managing the workbooks for example, and benefiting from the revenue which enables them to provide local support and generate PR.

Q: What’s the secret to having so many people flocking to join Imago training classes?

A: We set out to create a relationship with therapists working with couples, creating many flexible pathways for them to get involved. Therapists can start training at any one of the many introductory workshops, many held at major conferences around the country. Once registered, they become closer to the Imago community, and most decide to join an intensive clinical group, reach the Certification level, and then continue on their journey of Imago learning.

Another reason of course, is that Imago is in such demand. They see other Imago therapist’s thriving, and their clients are often asking whether they are a Certified Imago Therapist; clients are more discerning now – they want to make sure that their therapist is certified by us!

Q: Everyone is talking about Imago? How did that happen?

A: It’s true! Most Brides now list an Imago Workshop gift certificate as part of their registry. Restaurants hate us because many couples participate in our global “Put the love back in Valentine’s Day” event, with live celebrity screenings to the thousands of couples participating in “Tell your partner how much you love them” mini-workshops. Unfortunately, we seem to have overdone the celebrity thing. Jay Leno even has “Ten things you most hate to hear in an Imago dialogue!”

It happened mostly through hard work and perseverance, building relationships over time with major journalists. Then as Imago started creating news, like our first global Valentine’s Day event, the media already knew us, and gave great coverage. The “Couplehood as a Spiritual Path” program was a huge contributor, as it spread like wildfire through grassroots communities. Suddenly Imago made sense to everyone, and the media couldn’t get enough of us.

Q: Imago is such a household word, it must be tough for those who hear about the benefits, but can’t afford them.

A: We’re now seen as a major player in the nonprofit movement for social change. The “Couplehood as a Spiritual Path” program was just the first in a series which brought Imago at very low cost to a wide-range of people.

The really exciting thing is how our Couple’s Association organized themselves to raise funds to help low-income groups access workshops. We’ve also partnered with social service agencies, creating some pioneering programs in urban communities which attracted major grant funding.

There are a wide-range of educational programs and materials available: School teachers can incorporate our materials into their classes, at very low cost; We’ve partnered with a number of community parent support groups to introduce Imago into their programs; And, we are even working with international relief groups to help rebuild relationships as well as homes after disasters and wars.

Q: So does this activity take people away from the work of Imago therapists?

A: Not at all! Most people have heard something good about Imago now, or come across friends who love it. It may be scary to go to a therapist, but an Imago therapist is a known quantity. It’s safe. Everyone does it. People used to wait years before seeking help in their relationship--Now they go to the workshop early on, and they come and see us as soon as they need help. It’s a change in the way people think of help for their relationships-it’s the cool thing to do!

It appears that my time machine has a big warning light, time to come back to 2005!! But I come back inspired by what I see in the future. It’s a vision I hope we can all share. Mine comes from the Board and the other people I work with in this community.

Back in 2005 I have a detailed workplan, with a myriad of things to do. But through the work the Board has done, I know where we are going, and that we have a good, fair chance of getting there.