It is very important to our mission to continue to recruit and train new Imago Therapists. Last year promo tours were held around the country, and while some of these led to strong training groups, the results from others were disappointing, considering the huge effort that went into arranging them.

We’ve recently introduced a new series of follow-up newsletters, specifically targeted at these therapists, in order to encourage them to sign up. But as we go around and talk to therapists at conferences, one thing we are learning is that many feel that the price of entry of $2500 and a commitment of 12 days is a big decision to make, and that reduces the number of people who sign-up.

That’s why we are developing a modular approach to Imago training, which we discussed in detail at the faculty meeting. It would mean that the first days of training could be offered at conferences, or as an introductory class, to get people onto the first step of the ladder. We hope that as they take the next step, and maybe join a weekend training around the Imago dialogue, they would begin to understand the value of going even deeper, and will sign up for the courses which would enable them to be Certified. Another attractive feature of the new training would be the ability to present some simple Imago education courses after just a few days.

This will also help us provide training to a broader range of geographic areas; where otherwise there is little opportunity. We can provide the early modules easily and economically to build interest, and to get people involved. Then we will have better information about how to most effectively complete their training.

The Faculty agreed to this new approach conceptually at the meeting in May, and we are now working through the full details so that it can be implemented.

Another concern about training that was discussed was that sometimes trainees can get stuck on the final tapes required for certification. The whole tape review process was discussed, and an alternative approach was proposed, in which four tapes would be reviewed, but three of these would be just for the purposes of supervision and feedback. The fourth would be of a complete session, and would be evaluated as part of the certification process.

A key shift in our thinking came around the discussion of what certification means. Previously certification came at the end of the training period, with little expectation that the trainee would have any more contact with the organization. Therefore trainers were extremely concerned that the trainee had developed a very mature understanding of Imago, and could demonstrate it in a video tape of their work.

The faculty discussed how we could continually raise clinical excellence, and concluded that one way is to see Imago training as a journey, which doesn’t end at certification. We want to introduce a requirement for new trainees to continue their Imago education, earning credits each year to maintain certification. This would establish a relationship with the faculty that would help maintain a very high standard of Imago practice. Since in this new vision, certification would be just one step in this training journey, it puts less pressure on the evaluation of tapes during the certification process.