Imago and Improving Communication Skills

Herb Tannenbaum

Introduction A physiologist with a PhD from New York University,

Herbert “Herb” Tannenbaum is a certified Imago therapist. Proficient in couple’s therapy, Herb Tannenbaum administers workshops to couples and helps to improve communication between partners.

Imago is a Latin word that refers to an idealized image of a person, usually a parent, that is formed in childhood and persists unconsciously into adulthood. Imago relationship therapy helps individuals to recognize childhood wounds that create problems in the present. The therapy teaches patients to be more empathetic in relationships and when communicating and ultimately helps them to connect with significant others on a deeper level.

Imago Imago utilizes a three step process to improve

communications. Sending and mirroring, the first step, requires that the person listening repeat what they hear back to their companion and then ask to hear more. Next, the listener validates their companion by affirming they understand what they are saying. This step is referred to as validation. The final step, empathy, then takes place. In this stage, the listener tries to understand what their companion is feeling and verbalizes these supposed feelings back to them.