Characterological Growth

This advanced clinical training guides therapists to critically examine their own characterological adaptations and explore how unconscious defenses and shadow aspects may influence the quality and outcome of their professional relationships. Through the framework of Imago theory, participants will develop clinically relevant self-awareness by identifying and understanding the parts of themselves that reside in the shadow, recognizing how these dynamics can shape client interactions and impact therapeutic alliance.

Participants will learn in a safe, non-judgmental, and creative environment using experiential modalities—including guided imagery, somatic (body-based) awareness, written clinical reflection, and dialogical practice—each chosen to strengthen specific competencies necessary for effective clinical work.

The training focuses on practical strategies for integrating missing or disowned aspects of self, reclaiming vitality, and expanding the emotional “container” required to hold a broad spectrum of client experiences. Enhanced self-integration enables therapists to hold joy, sorrow, and complexity for clients with greater authenticity and skill.

A special section of the course addresses the clinical paradox therapists often face: the challenge of extending empathy and compassion in their professional roles while encountering greater emotional triggers and difficulty in their personal relationships. By applying shadow work principles to clinical supervision and case formulation, therapists will leave with increased authenticity, flexibility, and effectiveness—benefiting both their clinical practice and their personal lives.

Click here for a detailed course agenda.

In this course, participants will learn to…

• Apply insights into childhood adaptations to promote emotional healing and growth in clients.

• Identify self-defeating behavioral patterns that impede personal development.

• Demonstrate therapeutic exercises that reveal and clarify counterproductive patterns.

• Discuss common self-defeating behaviors.

• Describe the impact of self-defeating behaviors on personal growth.

• Apply exercises designed to illuminate and address counterproductive behaviors.

• Demonstrate at least 3 techniques for enhancing attunement capacity within therapy sessions.

• Develop new neural pathways applicable to clinical practice.

• Practice methods to integrate shadow aspects of the self for increased wholeness.

• Identify defensive structures and their influence on behavior.

• Analyze and define characterological adaptations and their effects on interpersonal relationships.

• Assess self-defeating behaviors to unmet childhood needs through clinical review.

• Apply a structured forgiveness plan within therapeutic contexts.

• Describe the awareness of the hidden or disowned self and its implications.

• Write a personal vision statement to guide ongoing self-growth.

• Apply skills to recognize, accept, and integrate disowned traits.

• Identify previously denied traits and explore their positive potential.

• Use the learned expanded sentence stem vocabulary for effective therapeutic dialogue with couples.

This training is intended for Imago Therapists, Imago Professional Facilitators and therapists in general at the advanced level.

CUE Management Solutions, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CUE Management Solutions, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CUE Management Solutions, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed. psychologists #PSY-0242.

Participants can earn 24 CE credits upon successful completion of this training. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.

Please note: While APA CE credits are widely accepted, participants should verify with their specific state licensing board to ensure these credits meet their continuing education requirements.

Imago Relationships North America (IRNA) serves as an administrative sponsor for this training by providing application processing, registration, and logistical support. All decisions regarding eligibility, admission, successful completion, and any certification or designation as a Workshop Presenter are made solely by Imago International Training Institute (IITI) and the course faculty. IRNA does not grant or guarantee any certification or professional credential.

By registering for this course, you acknowledge that IRNA’s role is administrative only and that IITI and course faculty are solely responsible for admission, evaluation, and certification decisions.

_{Registration cancellations made up to 30 days prior to the start of the course (the date of the first live class) will be refunded in full (less transaction fees). Cancellations made between 30 days and 1 week prior to the start of the course will be refunded minus a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations made less than one week prior to the start of the course will be refunded minus a $100 administrative fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations after the first live class. All cancellations, questions, and concerns can be submitted to info@imagorelationshipswork.com.}  

_{IRNA strives for full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), by being committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodations for participants with disabilities.}

_{Prior to the beginning of the program, any known conflict of interest or commercial support will be disclosed. In the case where there is no known conflict of interest or commercial support, this will be made evident also. Information concerning conflicts of interest and commercial support is also disclosed via promotional materials that are made available to any potential participants prior to registration for the course.}