A Randomized Controlled Trial of Imago Relationship Therapy

Imago relationship therapy (IRT; Hendrix, 2008) is an integrative approach to couples therapy that has been practiced and extensively disseminated for more than 30 years. IRT may be delivered through traditional therapy with a couple, or the Imago principles and skills may be taught to couples through the "Getting the Love You Want" Workshop (GTLYW Workshop), a manualized, 2-day, psychoeducational workshop conducted by certified presenters to groups of couples. The present study is a RCT designed to examine the efficacy of IRT for couples experiencing distress in their committed romantic relationships, and to extend the findings of previous research. Seventy-two (72) couples with relationship distress will be recruited for the study. Couples will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Imago therapy alone or bibliotherapy, a control condition, in which couples will be given a self-help book on dyadic communication to read during a 12-week waiting period, followed by a GTLYW workshop.