43: From Referee to Relationship Healer: Tony Victor’s Journey Into Deep Connection

Elevated Life Academy

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Tony Victor, a passionate and seasoned couples counselor based in Southern Illinois, just outside St. Louis. Tony shares the powerful story behind his calling to work exclusively with couples—a path rooted in his own childhood experiences of witnessing constant conflict in a home where love was present, but peace was elusive.

Tony opens up about the early days of his private practice, where individual and family therapy flourished, but couples work felt more like blowing a whistle in a boxing match than facilitating connection. Driven by a desire for something deeper, he discovered Imago Relationship Therapy, a transformative modality that finally aligned with his vision for healing relationships.

From struggling counselor to global Imago faculty member and trainer, Tony’s journey is one of perseverance, passion, and purpose. Whether you’re a therapist, in a relationship, or just curious about what it means to truly connect, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and the reminder that relationships don’t just survive—they can thrive.

🔍 Topics Covered:

• Tony’s childhood and how it shaped his view on love and conflict
• The struggles of early couples counseling
• Discovering Imago Therapy and why it clicked
• How becoming a faculty member transformed his reach and impact
• What real connection looks like in practice

💬 Notable Quote:

"I always knew what I didn’t want in a relationship—I just didn’t know what I did want. That’s what started my journey."

Tony Victor, D.Min., LCPC is the Co-founder and co-owner of the Midwest Relationship

Center, LLC. A family man, he is married to the love of his life Becky the co-owner and

office manager of MRC. Dr. Tony is the past dean and a clinical faculty member of the

Imago International Training Institute. He has provided advanced clinical training globally,

and has been in private practice for over 30 years specializing in couples therapy. His

articles have been published in journals, newspapers and popular magazines including

First for Women Magazine and several of the Illinois Counseling Association journals.

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

Guest Links:

You can explore more of Tony Victor's work and insights through the following links:

Website:

https://www.imagocouplescounseling.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/drtonyvictor/