Imago Relationship Therapy: Understand the Link Between Childhood Relationships and Present Relationships
Recognizing patterns in your relationships is the first step to getting unmet needs satisfied. It is no mistake that we find partners who will recreate familiar frustrations we experienced growing up. According to Imago theory, this creates an opportunity for partners to work together to heal childhood wounds. For example:
Learn New Relationship and Communication Skills
There are many examples: if you grew up in a family with addictions, betrayal/infidelity, abuse, etc. you may find yourself in similar roles. You and your partner will identify the defenses you developed to protect yourself in the past, but today interfere with intimacy.
In the Imago process, the therapist coaches each partner to listen without interrupting or constructing answers before the other is finished. By slowing down the communication process you will both feel better understood and less reactive. Really understand your partner's world view and perspective in a way that gets your mutual needs met. Discover that your partner's reaction may be less about you but more about a wounded place in herself.
When your issues are broken down and stated directly under the guidance of an experienced coach you will learn to do the dialogue/skills to handle conflict outside of therapy.
Individual Therapy
Trust between therapist and client creates an atmosphere for effective therapy. I am committed to listening carefully and respectfully to facilitate this trust. As a seasoned therapist, I offer insight and direction, while helping clients recognize their strengths and internal sources of wisdom. Common client issues include:
"I am grateful that you continued to push me toward optimism despite my pessimism. You were a great source of hope for me, and I want to thank you for the calm that you brought to me during those more turbulent times."- Amanda
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling focuses specifically on the relationship; technically, the relationship is the client. I work with couples using my training as an Imago therapist, based on the book, Getting the Love You Want, by Harville Hendrix.
We all have baggage that we bring into relationships from our family backgrounds and from previous relationships. These issues will come up in any intimate relationship. If a couple has the desire, they can work together to help heal each other's old wounds.
I provide specific communication techniques that help couples listen carefully until they feel understood by each other. Each partner learns to recognize the wounds that come from their past that get activated in arguments, so that they can become less reactive in the present. This process encourages couples to become more compassionate and to express a new curiosity to understand each other's truths, thereby providing a context for growth.
Weekend Workshop for Married Women Attracted to Women: GAY AFTER MARRIAGE led by Joanne Fleisher, LCSW
Download Brochure [PDF]
Join other married women attracted to women. Focus on:
Dates: April 17 & 18, 2010
Travel information and lodging is provided. Confidentiality is stressed in all phases of the workshop
This workshop is full. If you would like to be on the waiting list please email Joanne.
"I thought there was nobody else as confused or lonely as I was. I never dreamed I could be in a group of women who knew exactly how I felt, but they did because they felt it too. At first I was overcome by the sadness in the room, but in the end I not only found solace in that sadness, I found myself." - Karen
Philadelphia Support Group for Married Women attracted to Women
This five session monthly group is for married or recently separated women at all stages of discovery, from first loving a woman to beginning a coming out process—or not. It includes women who have no actual experience with a woman to women who are recently separated and still dealing with the impact of their journey.
The group meets once a month under Joanne's guidance, focusing on issues regarding whether or how to maintain your marriage, children, clarifying your sexuality, coming out to others, making difficult relationship decisions, and getting comfortable with a lesbian or bisexual community.
Time: Once a month on Tuesday, 6:30 - 8:00 PM for 5 sessions
Cost: Full Payment for the entire program must be made in advance- $300.
Location: Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia
Starts: October 6, 2009
Living Two Lives
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