Communologue in Family Therapy

Abstract

This article introduces communologue, a process and intervention whose aim is to create safe conversation and deep connecting dialogue within groups and between groups. Communologue originated after 9/11 from the Imago Dialogue intervention developed by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt's Imago Relationship Therapy in addition to other dialogue and communication experts. This article presents the history and framework as well as a detailed description of the communologue intervention, and its application in family therapy. Special attention is given to the role of the therapist. The connection to the dialogical approach to family therapy and the difference between communologue's specific way of mirroring and active listening are also highlighted. A case study is presented which illustrates the profound ways in which working with a family using communologue can create safety, foster connection, and alter the family dynamics. Implications of communologue and limitations are discussed.

Keywords

communologue imago relationship therapy family therapy safe communication

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