Couples in crisis – specially those devastated by infidelity, betrayal, or deep emotional disconnection – can need more than traditional therapy approaches to heal their relationships at the deepest levels. Gene Shelley has spent over 25 years mastering Imago Relationship Therapy, becoming one of the world’s leading trainers in this transformative approach that helps couples move beyond blame to genuine healing and renewed intimacy.
As a Board Member and former Chair of Imago Relationships International and Certified Clinical Instructor, Shelley represents the senior leadership of this internationally recognised couples therapy model. His unique background combines pastoral counseling training from the Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute with advanced Imago certification, giving him rare insight into both the spiritual and psychological dimensions of relationship healing. His recognition as a Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors reflects his expertise in addressing the deeper moral and spiritual wounds that often underlie relationship crises.
Shelley’s expertise spans Imago Relationship Therapy, couples therapy, pastoral counseling, infidelity recovery, and clinical training. His approach helps couples understand how their childhood wounds create unconscious patterns that either heal or harm their adult relationships. He specialises in cases where traditional couples therapy has failed, where betrayal has shattered trust, or where partners need to rebuild their relationship on entirely new foundations. His pastoral background gives him particular skill in helping couples navigate the moral complexity of forgiveness and redemption.
What sets his training apart is depth combined with practical application. Shelley doesn’t just teach Imago techniques – he shows therapists how to create the sacred space where couples can do their deepest healing work. His experience training other professionals at the Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute and certifying Imago therapists internationally gives him exceptional skill in teaching complex therapeutic concepts.
For your practice, expect to gain specific Imago dialogue techniques, tools for helping couples heal from infidelity, and frameworks for transforming relationship wounds into growth opportunities. His approach particularly benefits clinicians working with high-conflict couples, those recovering from betrayal, or practitioners who want to integrate spiritual dimensions into couples work.
Quick Win: Shelley’s “reframing infidelity” approach helps therapists move couples beyond blame and shame to understanding betrayal as a symptom of deeper relational wounds – often shifting the entire therapeutic dynamic from accusation to healing in the first session.
Qualifications
- M.Div., New Brunswick Theological Seminary
- Certificate, Pastoral Psychotherapy, Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute (3-year psychoanalytic oriented intensive program)
- Certificate, Imago Relationship Therapy
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Fellow, American Association of Pastoral Counselors
- Certified Imago Relationship Therapist
- Certified Imago Clinical Instructor
- Certified to present “Getting the Love You Want” workshops
- Certified to train others in Basic Clinical Training Program of Imago Therapy
Leadership & Roles
- Board Member, Imago Relationships International, Inc., current
- Past-Chair, Board of Directors, Imago Relationships International, Inc.
- Clinical Instructor, Imago Relationships International, current
- Workshop Presenter, Imago Relationships International, current
- International Trainer, TATRA (Australia), current
- Pastoral Counselor & Imago Therapist, Private Practice, current
Teaching & Training Experience
- Teaching and Supervising Faculty, Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute, 1986–1999
- 25+ years as Certified Imago Relationship Therapist
- Clinical supervision and consultation for Imago therapists
- International Imago training presentations
Professional Affiliations
- Fellow, American Association of Pastoral Counselors
- Affiliate Member, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
- Clinical Member, Imago Relationships International
Specialised Expertise
- Imago Relationship Therapy techniques and training
- Infidelity and betrayal recovery
- Pastoral counseling integration with couples therapy
- “Getting the Love You Want” workshop facilitation
- Clinical supervision and professional development
- Healing relationship trauma through conscious partnership
Ready to help couples transform their deepest wounds into their greatest strengths? Discover how Gene Shelley’s Imago-based methods can help you guide couples from crisis to conscious, healing relationships that last.