Imago theory
Understand the foundations of Imago Relationship Therapy and why it was developed specifically for couples work.
Imago Foundations Days 1 and 2
A two-day introductory course for counsellors, psychotherapists, and other people-facing professionals who want to begin working confidently with couples.
Learn the core theory, practise the Imago Dialogue Process, and leave with skills you can start using straight away.
- 2-day standalone course
- No prior couples-work experience required
- Online or face-to-face
- First step in the 12-day pathway
A clear starting point for couples work
If you work mainly with individuals, you have probably had couples ask whether you can work with them too. Foundations is designed for that moment: it gives you a structured, supported introduction to couples work through Imago Relationship Therapy, a modality developed specifically for the couple relationship.
In two days, you will gain both the theoretical grounding and the practical experience to begin using key Imago tools in your work. It is a complete course in its own right, and it also serves as the first step in the wider 12-day certification pathway.
What you will learn
The course combines core concepts in the morning with guided practice in the afternoon, so you build understanding and confidence side by side.
The Dialogue Process
Learn the structured communication method at the heart of the approach and how to facilitate it clearly.
Session structure
Develop a practical framework for introducing and guiding dialogue from the first session with a couple.
Relational neuroscience
Explore the neuroscience of relationships and what it means for clinical work with couples.
Childhood patterns
See how early experience shapes adult relationship dynamics and recurring patterns of conflict.
Embodied confidence
Practise the work enough times to move beyond theory and begin using it in your existing practice.
A modality built for couples
Many therapy trainings prepare you primarily for individual work and leave you to adapt those ideas when a couple sits down in front of you. Imago is different: it was created to work directly with the relationship between two people, not only the inner world of one.
From the first day, you will learn concepts and processes that speak to what actually happens in couple relationships: why people choose each other, why the same conflicts repeat, and what has to change for the relationship to shift.
A training environment designed for difference
Therapists come to this work from different backgrounds, identities, and ways of learning. The training environment is inclusive by design, and the teaching reflects the reality that both therapists and relationships take many forms.
We actively welcome
- Neurodivergent therapists.
- Therapists from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Therapists across the full spectrum of sexuality, gender, and relationship structure.
You will also be better equipped to recognise and work with the intersecting identities, cultural contexts, and lived experiences that couples bring into the room.
How the two days work
This is hands-on training, not just theory. The rhythm of the course is designed to help you learn the model and begin feeling it in practice.
Morning
Core concepts, theory, and clinical framing for understanding the Imago approach to couples work.
Afternoon
Supported peer practice so you begin facilitating the dialogue process rather than only hearing about it.
What you leave with
- A clear framework for structuring couples sessions.
- Practical experience of using the Imago Dialogue Process.
- Greater confidence in beginning couples work.
Who can attend
The course is open to qualified counsellors and psychotherapists, as well as those currently in training.
It is also open to other professionals who work closely with people and relationships, such as coaches or religious leaders, and who want a better understanding of how to help couples connect.
Online or in person
The training is offered in two formats with the same trainers and core content.
In-person training
Attend at the Affinity Centre in Cheadle, Cheshire.
Online training
Join live on Zoom from anywhere in the UK or beyond.
Planning ahead
- Choose whichever format works best for you for Foundations.
- If you continue to Clinical Skills later, you can choose format again at that stage.
Your trainers
Ian Tomlinson
One of only two UK members of The Imago International Training Institute, and a UKCP-registered psychotherapist and couples therapist.
Joanna Groves
UKCP-registered psychotherapist, Certified Advanced Imago Relationship Therapist, and Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (PTSTA-P).
For therapists in Transactional Analysis training, hours completed on this training can count towards CTA qualification.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about Foundations, eligibility, format, and what happens next.
What is the Imago Foundations course?
It is a two-day introductory training in Imago Relationship Therapy. You learn the core theory, practise the Imago Dialogue Process, and leave with practical tools you can begin using with couples.
Do I need experience of working with couples to attend?
No. The course is designed for therapists who mainly work with individuals and want a supported entry point into couples work.
What qualifications do I need?
You can be a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist, or currently in training. The course is also open to other people-facing professionals, including coaches and religious leaders.
Is this course available online?
Yes. Foundations is offered face-to-face in Cheadle and live online via Zoom, with the same content and trainers in both formats.
Does completing Foundations commit me to the full 12-day pathway?
No. Foundations is a standalone two-day course. It is also the first step in the wider pathway if you later decide to continue.
Can I do Foundations online and Clinical Skills in person, or the other way round?
Yes. You can choose the format that suits you for Foundations and then make a fresh decision about format when booking Clinical Skills.
How quickly can I use what I learn?
Straight away. Because the course is built around practice as well as theory, you finish the two days with a framework and rehearsal experience you can start applying in practice.
Can these hours count towards CTA qualification?
Yes. Because Joanna Groves holds PTSTA status, hours completed on this training can count towards your CTA qualification.
What happens after Foundations?
You can continue into Imago Clinical Skills, a ten-day course delivered in two five-day blocks. Completing the full 12-day training and post-course requirements leads towards certification.
What comes next
Foundations is the first two days of the full 12-day pathway towards certification as a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist.
Foundations
Begin with the core theory and the Imago Dialogue Process, then leave with practical tools you can start using.
Clinical Skills
Continue into ten further days of deeper clinical training, delivered in two five-day blocks.
Certification
After all 12 days, certification is completed through supervised practice and final assessment requirements.
Start with the first two days
Foundations gives you a practical, low-risk way to begin couples work, while keeping the door open to the full certification pathway