Couples in deep relationship crisis – those facing affairs, considering divorce, or caught in destructive patterns that seem impossible to break – can need more than traditional therapy approaches to experience genuine transformation. Kobus van der Merwe has spent over three decades mastering Imago Relationship Therapy, becoming one of the world’s most accomplished practitioners and the only Senior Imago Faculty Member in Africa, with an extraordinary track record of helping couples move from crisis to connection.
As Senior Faculty Member of Imago Relationships International and Clinical Professor at Daybreak University, van der Merwe represents the highest levels of expertise in this transformative couples therapy approach. His recognition with the prestigious Harville Hendrix Award for Clinical Excellence in 2016 reflects his exceptional contributions to the field, while his unique journey from theology to psychology brings profound depth to his understanding of sacred partnership. With over 23,000 hours dedicated to couples therapy and having facilitated 408 “Getting the Love You Want” workshops, he has helped thousands of couples worldwide discover lasting love.
Van der Merwe’s expertise spans Imago Relationship Therapy, affair recovery programs, couples crisis intervention, and what he calls the “cosmological metatheory” of relationships – understanding how universal principles of interconnectedness apply to intimate partnerships. His approach integrates practical therapeutic techniques with deep spiritual wisdom, showing couples how to create what Imago calls the “sacred space between” partners. He specialises in cases where one partner is reluctant or disconnected, where affairs have shattered trust, or where couples need intensive intervention to save their relationship.
What sets his training apart is depth combined with remarkable results. Van der Merwe doesn’t just teach Imago techniques – he shows practitioners how to access the profound transformation that occurs when couples truly understand their unconscious partnership choices. His training of 1,200 Imago therapists across multiple continents demonstrates his exceptional ability to transfer complex therapeutic concepts to other practitioners.
For your practice, expect to gain advanced Imago dialogue techniques, specialised tools for affair recovery, and frameworks for helping couples in crisis find renewed connection. His comprehensive approach particularly benefits clinicians wanting to develop expertise in transformative relationship work that creates lasting change.
Quick Win: Van der Merwe’s approach to “connecting the reluctant partner” helps therapists quickly engage the most resistant clients by understanding their protective mechanisms as expressions of childhood wounding.
Qualifications
- M.A., Counseling Psychology, Daybreak University, 2019–2021
- PhD candidate, Counseling Psychology with specialization in Imago Relationship Therapy, Daybreak University, 2022–2023
- BA Hons, Clinical Psychology, University of South Africa, 1999–2000
- BD, Theology, University of Pretoria, 1987–1992
- 30+ years clinical experience
- Over 23,000 hours dedicated to couples therapy
Teaching & Roles
- Clinical Professor, Daybreak University, Los Angeles, CA, October 2019–present
- Imago Clinical Therapist, Private Practice, Pretoria, South Africa, May 1996–present
- Imago Clinical Instructor, Imago Relationships International, 2002–present
- Senior Faculty Member, Imago Relationships International, current
Professional Experience
- Minister of Religion, Dutch Reformed Church, South Africa, 1992–1997
- Multidisciplinary team member, Benmed Psychiatry clinic
- International training in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, United States, Europe
Training Statistics & Impact
- 23,000+ hours dedicated to couples therapy
- 408 Imago “Getting The Love You Want” Couples Workshops facilitated
- 1,200 Imago Therapists and Professional Facilitators trained
- International conference presentations: United States, Canada, Denmark, South Korea, South Africa
Specialised Focus Areas
- Imago Relationship Therapy and clinical training
- Affair recovery programs
- 3-Day Imago Couples Intensives
- Couples crisis intervention and relationship rescue
- Cosmological metatheory in relationship therapy
- Working with reluctant partners
Ready to help couples transform crisis into deeper connection than they ever thought possible? Discover how Kobus van der Merwe’s proven Imago methods can give you the tools to guide even the most challenged relationships toward lasting love and conscious partnership.