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About IRNA

IRNA is a membership organization incorporated as a non profit in the State of Illinois, USA in September 2018. IRNA became recognized as a tax-exempt, charitable organization by the United States Internal Revenue Service in June 2019.

Some of IRNA’s functions are to provide professional resources to members, assist in coordinating regional conferences, support the formation of regional Imago chapters in North America, market Imago Therapists, Facilitators and Workshops in North America, and actively represent North American Imago Professionals in collaborative circles established by Imago Relationships Worldwide (IRW).

Vision

A world where individuals, couples, organizations and communities are empowered with Imago skills to effectively and safely cultivate conscious and connected relationships.

Fostering Connection in a Divided World

Imago Relationships North America’s (IRNA) Statement on Political Neutrality

June 16, 2025


Our Relational Foundation
In Imago Relationships North America, we are guided by the core principles of Imago theory, which emphasize empathy, curiosity, and deep connection. We believe that every person’s perspective is shaped by their unique story, and that authentic dialogue—rooted in safety and validation—creates opportunities for healing and growth.


Our Stance on Political and Global Neutrality
As a 501(c)(3) US nonprofit, we are required by law to remain neutral in all political matters, both within the United States and globally. This means we do not take sides or engage in partisan or international political debates, nor do we endorse or oppose any political party, candidate, or movement, whether domestic or international. Our commitment to neutrality is not only a legal obligation but also an expression of our relational values: we seek to create spaces where all voices can be heard and respected, regardless of political or cultural background.


Living Our Imago Values in a Polarized World
Our values are not just words on paper—they are the foundation of how we respond to the complexities of our world, including times of political and global polarization. We are committed to weaving these values into every aspect of our organizational culture and decision-making.

This means that when we encounter political or global conflicts, we draw directly from Imago principles to shape our response and our community’s experience:

  • We practice the Imago Dialogue, listening deeply to diverse perspectives and responding with empathy and curiosity instead of judgment or exclusion.
  • We recognize that conflict—whether interpersonal or societal—is an invitation to deeper understanding and growth, not a threat to be avoided or a battle to be won.
  • Our commitment to intentionality and safety means we do not use our platform to advance political agendas, but instead foster environments where authentic connection and mutual respect can thrive.

By actively living out these values, we create a space where all can feel seen, heard, and respected, even in the midst of difference or disagreement.


Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is woven into our relational mission. Rather than upholding diversity, equity and inclusion as a political stance, we honor the dignity and worth of every individual, seeing equity and belonging as essential to healthy relationships and organizational growth. These commitments remain central to our work regardless of the shifting political or global landscape.

Our Ongoing Promise

  • We will not take sides or get involved in partisan or global political matters.
  • We will continue to foster dialogue and understanding across differences, guided by Imago principles of empathy, safety, and respect.
  • We will uphold our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental to who we are, not as political positions.

By living these values, we aim to model the relational healing and growth that Imago theory envisions for individuals, couples, communities, and the world.

In community,
The IRNA Executive Committee & Stewards
Walt Ciecko, Chair
Maureen McEvoy, Vice Chair
Jennifer Saunders, Treasurer
Christine Hamm, Executive Director
Latasha Harrison
Jeannie Ingram
Christina Kousakis
Ciara Simonson
Jill Wolf

Donate to IRNA

Make a donation (tax-deductible in the US) to our 501c3 organization, to be used for research, workshops or conference scholarships, diversity initiatives or to a project of your choosing.


IRNA's Origins

The Beginning of Imago

Since the publishing of Getting the Love You Want in 1988 by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt and Harville’s subsequent appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, therapists have wanted to train in Imago. As more and more people became Certified Imago Relationships Therapists, there was a natural desire to gather and learn together, from which several organizations were born. Imago Training Institute (ITI), Association of Imago Relationships Therapists (AIRT) and Imago Relationships International (IRI) are all iterations of this desire over the years.

Regional Development

Starting in 2005, countries and regions around the world began forming local organizations under IRI. Today, over one thousand Certified Imago Relationships Therapists can be found in nearly 52 countries around the globe. Because IRI was based in North America, Imago Therapists (and now Facilitators) in the US and Canada, never formed their own, independent region.

Recent Organizational Changes

In May of 2019 IRI transitioned from being an international membership organization and shifted their focus to the enormously important task of overseeing the research studies underway to make Imago an evidenced-based modality.

In anticipation of this shift, a task force was created in 2017 and charged with creating a new global organization to take the reigns from IRI, providing support and connection to Imago Local Organizations (ILOs) around the world. Thus, Imago Relationships Worldwide (IRW) was formed.

More information…

Imago Relationships Worldwide

Imago Research

The Birth of IRNA

The same task force that created IRW recognized that, with the transition of the global organization, it was the right time for North America to follow the same path as the rest of the Imago global community and charged Imago Professionals in North America to form their own region.  

Leading that charge were 3 IRI Board members: Lori Karch, Maureen McEvoy, and Virginia Thomas. As the the founders and shepherds of Imago Relationships North America, they created a business plan, raised funds, wrote grants, and have spent countless hours gathering and organizing members to get the organization off the ground. With the mission of providing support, connection, educational opportunities and inspiration to Imago Professionals in North America, countless others have risen to lead, organize and volunteer to create and continue to develop the organization as we know it today.

The ABCs of Imago

We get it! There are lots of acronmys in Imago-land....the alphabet soup can get very confusing. We've got you covered...

IRNA
Imago Relationships North America (IRNA) is a membership organization incorporated as a non profit in the State of Illinois, USA in September 2018, with the mission is to provide support, connection, educational opportunities and inspiration to Imago Professionals in North America. IRNA’s purpose is to provide a sense of belonging and connection among Imago professionals throughout North America. Some of IRNA’s functions are to provide professional resources to members, assist in coordinating regional conferences, support the formation of regional Imago chapters in North America, market Imago Therapists, Facilitators and Workshops in North America, and actively represent North American Imago Professionals in the global Imago community.

IITI
Imago International Training Institute (IITI) is the faculty organization and certifying body for Imago. IITI faculty present Imago Clinical, Professional Facilitator and Advanced Tranining online and in person across the globe. Visit imagocertificationandtraining.com for more information.

IRW  
Imago Relationships Worldwide (IRW) is the central Imago organization, which began on 6/1/19. IRW functions as a web connecting the many Imago professionals around the globe and provides conduits for the flow of information and ideas within the Imago community and out to the broader world. Visit imagorelationships.org for more information.

ILO 
Imago Local Organizations (ILOs) are regional groupings of Imago professionals which exist all around the globe. Links to the various ILOs can be found on the Imago Around the World page of the IRNA website.

ICCC 
Imago Central Collaborative Circle (ICCC) is the central circle of IRW. Representatives from the ILOs and the various IRW circles and task forces meet monthly to connect and discuss the business of the worldwide organization. Anyone is welcome to attend as an observer. Contact Carol Dixon for more information.

GLOW 
Global to Local Organizations Worldwide (GLOW) is a meeting of the leaders of the various Imago Local Organizations (ILOs) to connect, collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences in their region. Contact Can Baycan for more information.

IRI 
Imago Relationships International (IRI) is the former global Imago organization. IRI “closed its doors” as a membership organization on 5/31/19 to focus solely on research moving forward. Contact Tani Strain for more information.


Organizational Info

IRNA Policies & Procedures

IRNA Business Strategy

IRNA Bylaws

Members with questions about IRNA's Budget and Finances can request information via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Governance - Sociocracy

What is Sociocracy?

Sociocracy, also known as Dynamic Governance, is a system of governance which seeks to achieve solutions that create harmonious social environments as well as productive organizations and businesses.

Sociocracy was adopted by IRNA as its method of governance with the ultimate goal of a collaborative, effective and efficient organization. In many ways Imago and Sociocracy are two different applications of the same idea. The two are linked and interdependent.

IRNA's Circle Structure

Click here to view the diagram larger.

Circle Structure & Members - Lists the various circles and sub circles, their members and roles

Circle & Stewards Role Definitions - Defines the various roles in sociocratic circles

Aims & Domains - Outlines the tasks and authorities of each of the IRNA Circles

While IRNA might not follow all aspects exactly as presented, this video provides a great overview of Sociocarcy and its application in an organization like IRNA.

IRNA Executive Committee and Stewards

Click here for more information about the role and resposibilities of IRNA Stewards and Officers.

Christine Hamm

Executive Director

Christine Hamm is an Independent Contractor who has been serving as the Executive Director of Imago Relationships North America (IRNA) since January 2019. She played a crucial role in the formation of IRNA and brings extensive knowledge and understanding of the Imago Community from her previous role as Association Administrator for Imago Relationships International (IRI).

With a diverse background in visual communications, marketing, and business administration, Christine excels in technology and organization. She skillfully manages a team of marketing, administrative, finance, and IT contractors, balancing numerous tasks while providing dynamic and authentic leadership.

Christine is a mother of two young adult sons and married the love of her life, Jared, in early 2021. She attributes the success of her second chance at love partly to attending a Getting The Love You Want® Couples Workshop with Jared in 2018, describing it as "nothing short of life-changing!"

Currently, Christine is embarking on a new journey by beginning training to become an Imago Professional Facilitator. This step demonstrates her commitment to embodying the theory and teachings of Imago in both her personal and professional life, further deepening her connection to the Imago community and its transformative approach to relationships.

Walt Ciecko

Chair / Steward

Walt Ciecko, PhD, BCB is a licensed psychologist in private practice for 40 years. He is the Director of the Delaware Relationship Center specializing in relationship work with individuals, couples, families, and organizations. Walt is an Imago Advanced Clinician, Workshops Presenter and Consultant. Additionally, he is certified as an EMDR therapist and HAT clinician, a Board Certified Biofeedback Clinician and a Heart Math Stress and Wellness Assessment Provider.

Walt joined the Imago Community when he took his initial clinical training in New York City in 1993 with Harville and the original five Master Trainers. He has presented the Getting the Love You Want Couples Workshop® for 25 years.

Clinically, he has extensive training in existential-humanistic, gestalt and gestalt body work, trauma and hypnosis, stress management and wellness, sexuality, men’s issues, and the mind/body connection and peak performance training. In his position as Director of the Delaware Relationship Center, Walt provides psychotherapy and counseling and various workshops and runs a long-standing Men’s Group.

Maureen McEvoy

Vice Chair / Steward

Maureen McEvoy, MA, RCC has been working in the field of trauma and anti-violence for 30 years. She works with individuals, couples, and groups. She is a long-standing instructor with the Justice Institute of BC, teaching other counselors skills for working with survivors of child sexual abuse and other traumas.

She provides clinical consultations to a number of counselors and agencies. Most recently she has undertaken projects to bring a trauma-informed approach to BC’s mental health and justice sectors, including a specific program with psychological staff within Corrections Canada. Maureen also works with couples where one or both of the partners is a trauma survivor – either recent or historical. She is a Certified Imago Relationship therapist (Advanced Clinician) and Clinical Consultant. She also presents – along with her business partner Tamara Adilman – the Getting the Love You Want® Couples Workshop weekend workshop for couples.

She has extensive additional training in working with couples including Gottman, Emotionally Focused therapy and Psychobiological Approaches to Couples Therapy (PACT). Many of her individual clients have experienced trauma, either recent or historical. Over the years she has developed a robust toolbox, including training in EMDR, Developmental Needs Meeting Strategies, Somatic Experiencing, and Sensorimotor Therapy along with earlier training in hypnosis and art therapy.

Jennifer Saunders

Treasurer / Steward
Jennifer Saunders, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in Studio City, California, specializing in working with couples and with individuals at transitional points in their lives who are seeking balance and a better way of being and doing. She has a special passion for couples work because when our primary relationship is working well, life is all the sweeter. She began her Imago journey in 2017, training with Marcia Ferstenfeld and eventually becoming an Advanced Certified Imago Relationship Therapist. She is also a Certified Workshop Presenter of both the Getting the Love You Want® workshop for couples and the Keeping the Love You Find workshop for individuals. 

Jennifer holds a B.A. in Literature from UC Santa Cruz, which included spending her junior year abroad at Birmingham University in the U.K. After graduation, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sri Lanka for two years. Upon returning to the States, Jennifer earned her J.D. at UC Berkeley and embarked on her almost 20-year legal career as a corporate finance attorney in downtown Los Angeles. In 2010, she left the law, returned to school and earned an M.A. in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in Chatsworth, California, where she also earned her trainee and intern hours.

In addition to serving as a Steward and the Treasurer for IRNA, Jennifer recently stepped down from 5 years as President of the Board of THE MUSES of the California Science Center Foundation, dedicated to supporting and promoting the California Science Center’s education programs for youth; she currently continues to serve on THE MUSES' Board.
Jennifer eagerly looks forward to her next exotic vacation while waiting for any of her three adult children to visit her.

Christina Kousakis

Steward

Christina Kousakis is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Imago Relationship Therapist. Her practice, though centered on relationship issues, includes a wide range of clients whose needs vary from LGBTQ issues, grief, career anxiety, depression, and life transitions. 

Christina lives in Glendale, California with her husband of 46 years, her four adult children and four amazing grandchildren.

Ciara Simonson

Steward

Ciara Simonson, MDiv, PhD(cand.), LCPC, the 2021 Virginia Mother of the Year®, is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and relationship counselor with the Imago Center of Washington DC. Indicative of her compassion for humanity and commitment to helping others heal and grow, Ciara established herself as a dynamic speaker and pastoral counselor integrating her theological and clinical background. Ciara identifies herself as the “wounded healer” who shares her passion for healing by educating, encouraging, and empowering others to honor the full context of their life.

Ciara’s pride and greatest joy is engaging the fullness of life with her loving husband, Victor Simonson while sharing the honor of parenting her daughter Victoria Grace, son Immanuel Justice, and carrying the memory of her angel baby Trinity.

Jeannie Ingram

Steward

Jeannie Ingram is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Relationship Coach, and Faculty / Clinical Instructor for the Imago International Training Institute. She specializes in Relationships, providing Getting the Love You Want Workshops and Premarital Seminars for couples, as well as Workshops for Individuals. She helps people move beyond negative, painful patterns to restore connection and dramatically improve communication.

She has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. She loves training new Imago Relationship Therapists, teaching Imago theory and coaching the skills for helping couples reconnect.

Jeannie loves traveling, cooking, writing, hiking, kayaking, and sailing. Most of all, she is dedicated to helping people find joy, meaning, success and connection through the practice of mindful, intentional living and loving.

Jill Wolf

Steward

Jill Wolf, LCSW graduated with an MSW in 1984 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, and began her professional career in the child welfare system. She quickly recognized that if someone could have helped the parents, maybe so many of these kids wouldn't be in the system in the way they were. She began her training with and was certified by Dr. Harville Hendrix, the founder of Imago, in 1990. To say it changed her life personally and professionally is a huge understatement.

Jill continues to see mostly couples in her private practice, as well as presenting the Getting the Love You Want® workshop for couples and the Keeping the Love You Find workshop for singles.  Jill is on the Faculty of the Imago International Training Institute where she trains other therapists in the Imago model. She has had the amazing opportunity to offer many presentations at international Imago conferences, including many stand-up comedy bits there.  With her husband, Danny, they have 8 kids and 5 grandkids.  They keep her humble by telling her that she’s not that funny (she is!).

Latasha Harrison

Steward

Latasha D. Harrison, MS, MA, EdD, LGPC has completed a third Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Loyola University’s Pastoral Counseling department.  Latasha is providing professional counseling services for individuals (adults and children), couples, and families.

Latasha has a heart for helping people who are transitioning through divorce or relationship break-ups to restore their trust of self and others and provide support to help clients effectively address the challenges of separation in relationships.  She is passionate about helping couples improve, deepen their relationship, and embrace the joys of a healthy relationship while incorporating spirituality. She also enjoys working with children.

Latasha is happily married with three daughters and one son.  She enjoys dancing, cooking, and spending time with her family.

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