South Central

The Houston Area Association of Imago Relationship Therapists (HAAIRT) consists of 17 members. We are very busy right now organizing, finding places to meet, and developing topics and CEU offerings in preparation for Harville and Helen’s visit in late June. Our goal is to raise funds and attract new trainees into the network.

Our region also consists of the state of Oklahoma. Because of the high divorce rate in this state, a Marriage Initiative was passed in 1999 after Gov. Keating announced a goal of significantly reducing that rate. The state pledged $10 million to carry out the initiative. We have investigated their program called “Fighting for Your Marriage” (or PREP—Prevention & Relationship Enhancement Program), and we don’t think it holds a candle to Imago when it comes to healing relationships.

We believe that this initiative is very important to IRI as the same may happen to other states, when they realize that they need a solution to the high divorce rate and its consequent high cost of social welfare to their state. We believe that a Watchdog Committee should monitor state legislators for any similar initiatives, contact legislators in select states and educate them about Imago, and through this, reach more people, especially those with lower incomes.

While subsidization by the states would help, using tools like the Imago Home Video Workshop and manuals would reach and help more couples at more affordable rates. A plan to initiate a more affordable program, which maintains our high standards, will make our plan more palatable to city and state leaders. Imago should become a household word. Once this happens, we believe that it would be everlasting—Imago is the ultimate answer.

Joanna and Ralph Raming