A Recognised Qualification
Certification shows that you have completed the full training pathway and the post-training assessment process.
Becoming a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist
The final step after completing all 12 days of Imago training. Certification combines supervised practice and video assessment, leading to an internationally recognised qualification that remains genuinely rare in the UK.
- Final step after 12 days of training
- Supervised practice and video assessment
- Full Imago UK membership
- Use the Certified Imago Relationship Therapist title
What certification means
Once you have completed all 12 days of Imago training, certification turns your training into a formal qualification. Certified Imago Relationship Therapists become full members of Imago UK, can use the title Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, and are permitted to use the Imago name and logos in their websites and promotional materials.
Imago Relationship Therapy is a defined modality with its own theoretical framework, clinical processes, and international community of practitioners in nearly 50 countries. Certification places you within that community as a practitioner of an approach designed specifically for couples work.
What certification means for your practice
Many therapists who work with couples have general relational training but no specific couples therapy qualification.
Certification gives you something concrete and credible to point to: for prospective clients, for referrers, and for your own confidence in the therapy room.
A Clearer Professional Identity
You are not only using couples skills; you are practising within a specific modality with defined processes and standards.
A Global Practitioner Community
Certified Imago therapists are part of an international network of practitioners working in nearly 50 countries.
The requirements for certification
Certification is based on completion of the taught training, supervised practice, video submission, and professional standing.
1
Training completed
- Full attendance at all 12 days of training.
- Imago Foundations.
- Clinical Skills Block 1.
- Clinical Skills Block 2.
2
Workshop Attendance
Attend one of these workshops:
Availability is limited, so you may need to book through Imago UK rather than through us.
3
Supervision and video
- Six sessions of supervision with a Trained Imago Relationship Therapy Supervisor.
- Minimum of four video submissions during supervision.
- One full Imago session video for final assessment.
Professional requirements
- Current membership of a recognised professional body, such as UKCP, BACP, NCS, BPS, or equivalent.
- Current professional indemnity insurance.
- Completion of a Clinical Member Agreement.
Supervision
Supervision for certification must be with a Trained Imago Relationship Therapy Supervisor. Supervisors can be found on the Imago UK website.
Ian Tomlinson also offers certification supervision. Get in touch for current availability and fees.
Where certification fits in the bigger picture
Certification is the end of a formal process, but for most people it feels like the beginning of a new chapter in their practice. Couples work often becomes a significant part of what they do, and sometimes the most rewarding part.
The skills built across 12 days of daily practice, and deepened through supervised casework, give you a genuine framework for helping couples in difficulty. The modality itself has been refined over more than four decades of clinical use across the world.
If you want to continue developing after certification, there are also Advanced Imago courses that can lead towards Advanced Imago Therapist, Workshop Presenter, and Supervisor status.
An internationally recognised pathway
Imago certification is overseen by the Imago International Training Institute and recognised globally. Certified Imago Relationship Therapists practise in nearly 50 countries.
You are not just learning to work with couples. You are joining a global tradition of doing it well.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about the process, timing, supervision, and professional requirements.
What does it mean to be a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist?
It means you have completed the full 12-day training programme, a period of supervised practice with couples, and a video assessment. You become a full member of Imago UK and are permitted to use the title, name, and logos in your practice.
How long does the certification process take after training?
A minimum of six months. That is the period required for supervised practice after completing all 12 days of training.
How many supervision sessions do I need?
Six sessions with a Trained Imago Relationship Therapy Supervisor. These are separate from any general clinical supervision you already have.
Who can supervise me for certification?
Supervision must be with a Trained Imago Relationship Therapy Supervisor. A list of qualified supervisors is available on the Imago UK website, and Ian Tomlinson also offers certification supervision.
What video submissions are required?
You need to submit a minimum of four videos of your clinical work with couples during the supervision period, plus one complete Imago session video for final assessment.
Do I need to attend a workshop as part of certification?
Yes. You must attend either a Getting the Love You Want couples workshop or a Finding and Keeping Love singles workshop. Availability is limited, so it is worth planning this early.
What professional membership do I need?
You must be a current member of a recognised professional body, such as UKCP, BACP, NCS, BPS, or equivalent. You also need current professional indemnity insurance.
Is certification recognised outside the UK?
Yes. Imago certification is overseen by the Imago International Training Institute and recognised globally. Certified Imago Relationship Therapists practise in nearly 50 countries.
Can these hours count towards CTA qualification?
Yes. Because Joanna Groves holds PTSTA status, hours completed on this training can count towards your Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA) qualification.
Get in touch about certification
If you are working through the pathway and want to understand the next step, certification supervision, or workshop requirements, we can help you plan it out.