I first learned about Imago from a headhunter. Like most candidates for a job, I did an internet search. But I was surprised when I found two organizations, the one I was being invited to join called Imago Relationships International (IRI) and a second called the Association for Imago Relational Therapists (AIRT). I wondered why?

I wondered if when I became Executive Director I could find a way to bring these two groups, IRI and AIRT together, and build an organization that combined the best of both. But soon after joining Imago, AIRT took the decision to close.

My friends at the Psychotherapy Networker magazine sent me a copy of a 1997 issue, which featured Imago. In the article the writer, Marian Sandmaier asks “Will Imago survive its growing pains?” The article talked about passionate showdowns at a conference, of publicly expressed distrust, and a conscious split.

I feel that there is tremendous power in this moment, which gives us an opportunity to prove that we will survive our growing pains. This is a time that we can prove as a community that we listen and respect everyone’s voice, and find a common path which serves us all.

In the last few months a team of AIRT and IRI people worked together to build a list of members needs. They came up with a list of 22 items, and they are included in this edition of Imago World. We also have a message in this issue from the AIRT board, reminding us of three things that the AIRT community feel are important; an elected board, advocacy and input into the conference. It underlines how important it is for the community of Imago therapists to have an effective voice, to be heard, and to see a response.

When I look at the list of 22 needs, my heart says “yes – that’s great, let’s do that all now.” Then my head takes over and I think “It’s a lot to do – where do I start?” I can see it will take a while until I can go down the list and against each item show you how effectively we are meeting this need. But we’re starting right now!

AIRT had a phrase they used to capture the mission of their organization, and I used it as the title of this article. “Holding the Heart, Spirit and History of Imago.” I’m glad to learn that so many who founded and led AIRT are now strong contributing members of IRI. It’s exciting to be able to work with them to make sure that this heart, spirit and history are fully contained within the work we will do together.

Tim Atkinson