Guiding couples and individuals to practice intentional dialogue, curiosity, and empathy as paths to connection and healing.

Imago Georgia is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work, and in the world. We warmly welcome clients of all races, genders, ages, religions, sexual orientations, and identities into our practice.

About Imago Georgia

From left to right: Brian & Jesica Eames, Wendy & Bob Patterson, Sulaiman Nuriddin, Allison Dragony, Taylor Patterson

Imago Georgia is a therapy, coaching, consulting, and professional training practice. For more than 30 years, we’ve guided couples and individuals in finding connection, communication, and hope through Imago Relationship Therapy.

Led by Bob & Wendy Patterson and Jesica Eames, Imago Georgia is a respected leader in the field of relationship therapy. This is due in large part to the qualifications and expertise of Imago Georgia’s leadership team. The practice has decades of experience and firsthand experience training extensively with Drs. Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, creators of Imago Relationship Theory and Therapy.

Imago Georgia offers counseling and workshops for couples and individuals, support groups, professional trainings, and business consulting based on the principles of Imago Relationship Therapy.

In addition to our therapy practice, Imago Georgia is a respected national and international Imago training center for therapists and professionals. Through our training programs, you can learn how to apply and integrate this powerful communication methodology and relationship theory into your practice or business.

 

History

Imago Georgia was founded in 1980 as P2 Partnerships by Bob Patterson and Wendy Palmer Patterson. Their life’s work focuses on helping clients build relationship skills and connection through Imago Relationship Therapy.

Jesica Eames joined the practice in 2013 as a Partner and practitioner. Her goal was to help expand the practice and contribute to its leadership and growth. Today, Bob, Wendy, and Jesica lead Imago Georgia together, combining their expertise and decades of experience.

Located in the heart of Atlanta, Imago Georgia offers in-person therapy, workshops, and clinical trainings as well as virtual programs for clients and clinicians around the world.

After decades of growth, in fall 2021, P2 Partnerships rebranded as Imago Georgia. The practice’s new name was chosen to more accurately reflect the team’s expertise in the field of Imago Relationship Therapy.

Meet the Team

Bob Patterson
LMFT, LPC

Bob is a psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been in private practice for more than three decades. His areas of focus include helping corporate clients build stronger teams through Imago Relationship Therapy consulting, as well as facilitating The Clearing for Men group sessions.

Prior to co-founding Imago Georgia with his wife Wendy, Bob specialized in management consulting and human resources. Through Imago Georgia’s consulting services, Bob works with Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses in the areas of communications, team building, conflict management, organizational transitions, and more.

  • Bob’s favorite aspect of his work is helping people communicate and reconnect, emotionally and relationally. Outside of Imago Georgia, he enjoys spending time with his wife, favorite friend, and business partner, Wendy. He also practices bonsai, golf, and enjoys outdoor walks with Wendy.

    What’s the key to a successful relationship?

    “Communication and compassion.”

    Degrees

    • BA in Sociology, Georgia State University

    • Master of Education in Counseling Psychology, Georgia State University

    Accolades & Accomplishments

    • Certified Imago Therapist & Workshop Presenter, Institute for Relationship Therapy

    • Board Chair / Executive Board of Trustees, Imago Relationships International

    • Member, Georgia Association of Marriage & Family Therapy

    • Member, American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy

    • Past Conference Chair (15 years), Imago Relationship Institute

Wendy Palmer Patterson
PhD, LCSW, LMFT

Wendy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with more than four decades of experience. She holds a PhD in Counseling with a Specialization in Imago Relationship Therapy. Her focus is “relationship consciousness” and she helps couples, individuals, and businesses build more intentional and fulfilling relationships.

Wendy offers counseling for couples, individuals, families, and groups as well as seminars, workshops, and business consultations. She trains professionals in all levels of theory and application of Imago Relationship Therapy. Wendy is also responsible for certifying therapists as Certified Imago Therapists, evaluating potential Imago Workshop Presenters, and training professionals to become Certified Imago Facilitators.

  • With a PhD in Counseling with a Specialization in Imago Relationship Therapy, Wendy has held leadership roles overseeing addiction counseling services for both public and private organizations. This included training and supervising clinical staff, managing multiple clinics, and leading community awareness programs. She has also served as Director for The Bridge Family Center, Atlanta’s first mediation center for family therapy.

    Wendy’s favorite part of her work is co-creating change with her colleagues and clients. Outside of Imago Georgia, she enjoys spending time with Bob, her partner in life and business, who is also her best friend. Together, they walk, garden, cook, adventure, and relax in the hot tub. Wendy also loves spending time with her grown children, Taylor and Leif, who are both Imago trained and live nearby.

    What’s the key to a successful relationship?

    “Being Conscious of integrating your impact and intention so that they match.”

    Degrees

    • BS in Community Services & Public Affairs, University of Oregon

    • Master of Social Work, University of Georgia

    • PhD in Counseling with a Specialization in Imago Relationship Therapy, DayBreak University

    Awards & Accolades

    • Senior Faculty Member & Clinical Instructor, Imago International Training Institute

    • Certified Workshop Presenter, Imago Relationships International

    • Harville Hendrix Award for Clinical Excellence

    • Helen Lakelly Hunt Award for Community Building

Jesica Matthews Eames
LCSW/JD

Jesica is a Certified Advanced Imago Clinician, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Clinical Instructor/Faculty member with the Imago International Training Institute, and a Certified Imago Workshop Presenter. She specializes in helping couples and individuals strengthen their relationships through Imago Relationship Therapy. 

Because it’s inevitable that we will all face struggle, Jesica guides clients to examine how they respond to, live into, and work with those challenges throughout their lives. Her clients experience deeper connections, a stronger sense of well-being, and more pleasure.

As a faculty member and clinical instructor with the Imago International Training Institute, Jesica also teaches and trains therapists and professionals (cont…)

  • …in Imago Relationship Theory throughout the United States and Internationally.

    Through her work, Jesica has come to believe that human beings thrive in connection and often suffer in isolation. She also believes that we naturally gravitate toward health and growth. Jesica describes her work as “caring, collaborative, and a phenomenal privilege.”

    Jesica also consults with businesses using principles of Imago Relationship Therapy. Her work includes consulting with accounting firms, law firms and legal partnerships, family businesses, and more.

    Prior to joining Imago Georgia, Jesica served as Senior Litigation Associate on the healthcare team for King & Spalding, LLP. She also clerked for a U.S. Senior District Court Judge and served as Assistant Dean of Admission for Emory University.

    Jesica and her partner, Brian, have been in relationship for more than 30 years - they were 16 on their first date! They found their way to Imago Relationship Therapy when they were struggling in their mid-20s. Since then, Imago has been the foundation of their relationship. Jesica and Brian present workshops together and have three sons: Jack, Keyes, and Hayes.

    Outside of work, Jesica enjoys adventures with her family - including hiking in North Carolina, cooking, visiting their children, exploring undiscovered parts of Atlanta where they have lived since childhood, and supporting artists and the arts in Atlanta.

    What’s the key to a successful relationship?

    "For me, it's about being willing. Being willing to be curious about yourself and others, to see your relationship as a practice and not a state of existence, to learn skills and embrace challenges, and to create new chapters in your relationships.”

    Degrees

    • BA in Psychology, Vassar College (cum laude, with honors)

    • JD, Emory University School of Law (top 5% of graduating class)

    • Master of Social Work, Georgia State University (cum laude)

    Accolades & Accomplishments

    • Faculty/Clinical Instructor, Imago International Training Institute

    • Certified Getting the Love You Want Workshop Presenter

    • Advanced Imago Clinician

    • Past Member, Board of Trustees, Hambidge Center (a 600-acre creative residential center in Georgia).

    Speaking Engagements

    • American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Annual Meeting)

    • Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

    • Atlanta Bar Association

    • Emory University Law School

    • All Saints Episcopal Church

    • 3-Day Advanced Clinical Training, Giving and Receiving Love, Seoul, South Korea (September 2022)

    • 3-Day Advanced Training: Imago Through the Developmental Lens, Las Vegas, NV (Imago Conference 2023)

    • Upcoming: Advanced Training: Imago Through the Developmental Lens 2024

 

Sulaiman Nuriddin
M.Ed., Certified Imago Educator

Sulaiman is an educator, counselor, and therapist who has co-led Imago Georgia’s group session The Clearing for Men for nearly twenty years.

Sulaiman says that his favorite part of his work is seeing couples grasp the concepts of an “Imago Dialogue” and using this tool in their relationship. He especially enjoys working with men to help strengthen their relationships.

  • In addition to his work with Imago Georgia, Sulaiman has worked with Men Stopping Violence since 1987. He currently oversees men’s educational interventions for the organization. He also works closely with the DeKalb County court system, intervening with men who have been arrested for domestic violence to guide them through healthy coping mechanisms and productive outlets for their anger.

    Sulaiman has led training sessions with a wide variety of organizations, such as the National Crime Prevention Council, Atlanta Police Department, 100 Black Men, and more. He has also consulted with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Men’s Network to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, and other organizations.

    Outside of work, Sulaiman enjoys spending time with his family - including his wife, Myra, and their family and grandchildren. He also regularly helps distribute food to individuals and communities in need.

    What’s the key to a successful relationship?

    “The ability to talk and listen with each other, with respect and honor.”

    Degrees:

    • BS in Education & Math, Winston-Salem State University

    • M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology, Wayne State University

    Accolades & Accomplishments

    • Certified Imago Relationship Educator, Imago International Training Institute

    • Certified Mediator, State of Georgia

    Teaching & Training Experience (Selected)

    • 100 Black Men

    • Atlanta Police Department

    • Black Church in Domestic Violence Institute

    • Clark-Atlanta University

    • DeKalb Police Department

    • Delta Sigma Theta

    • Institute on Domestic Violence in the African-American Community

    • Morehouse College

    • National Basketball Association Summer Youth Program

    • National Council of Churches

    • National Crime Prevention Council

    • National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives

    • Spelman College

    • University of North Carolina School of Public Health

Allison Dragony
Director of Trainings, Workshops, and Practice Development, Certified Imago Professional Facilitator

Allison is an Imago Professional Facilitator. At Imago Georgia, she coordinates the workshops and professional training sessions, develops newsletters, blogs, social media posts, and online marketing materials and courses. Her areas of expertise include writing, organization, customer service, and facilitating events and special initiatives.

Through her work, Allison has seen firsthand the sense of calm, connection, and healing that people can experience through Imago Relationship Therapy and Coaching.

  • What Allison loves most about her work is being part of a vibrant and diverse community. She draws inspiration from Imago Georgia’s clients, who are dedicated to improving their own lives and the world around them. Allison also enjoys meeting trainees from all over the world and working with the brilliant instructors to learn new relationship tools and insights.

    In her coaching practice, Allison works with parents of young children to keep their sense of self, improve confidence, and maintain connection with their partners and community. She also supports people going through the tender process of pregnancy loss and fertility journeys. Allison is a trained actor and writer and incorporates art into her coaching. She offers support to artists looking for a space to work through blocks and keep going with their artistic pursuits.

    Outside of work, Allison spends time with her husband Chris, chasing around their two kids and going to various sports practices. Allison’s creative outlets include acting, writing, comedy, and pottery. She also enjoys hiking and spending time in the mountains.

    What’s the key to a successful relationship?

    “Showing up, listening, and repairing disconnections.”

    Degrees:

    • BFA in Theater Production/Acting, University of Arizona

    • BA in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona

    • Imago Professional Facilitator Certification Program, Imago International Training Institute

    • Certificate in Digital Marketing Science from The University of Arizona

Taylor Patterson
Office Administrator, MA, ABD

As the Office Administrator, Taylor keeps the Imago Georgia team organized and manages the administrative workings of the practice’s office.

Taylor specializes in coordination and team support. As someone who grew up with Imago Relationship Therapy and still utilizes its principles each day, Taylor brings a unique point of view to the practice.

  • Taylor says that her favorite part of her work is watching people feel reconnected through Imago Relationship Therapy and workshops.

    Outside of the office, you can find Taylor volunteering with the Junior League as well as rowing and playing golf with her family.

    What’s the key to a successful relationship?

    “Slowing down, hearing each other, opening your ears as well as your heart.”

    Degrees:

    • BA

    • MA

    • ABD on Doctorate in 19th century History & Gender Studies

    Awards & Accolades:

    • University of Florida Department of History Samuel Proctor Teaching Award

 

What is Imago Relationship Therapy?

 

"Imago" is the Latin word for "Image."

As human beings, we tend to have a specific “image” or imprint of the type of romantic partner we’re seeking. Without meaning to, many of us choose a partner who is uniquely qualified to frustrate us. Our brains subconsciously attempt to recreate situations from our past, so we can solve and heal unwanted relationship patterns.

Many of us were raised to believe in the idea of “happily ever after.” Imago Relationship Therapy sees frustration and conflict as a natural occurrence in our lives and relationships. Through intentional dialogue, we support clients in discovering how that conflict can lead to healing - and ultimately a closer, more meaningful relationship.