What You Didn’t Learn in Therapy School…

Discover the 5 Secrets to Effective Couples Therapy with Terry Real

Discover the 5 Secrets to Effective Couples Therapy with Terry Real

Traditional therapeutic tools often fall short when it comes to couples work. Join the FREE training to learn the common mistakes we make—and what to do instead for stronger results. 

Master Therapist

with Terry Real

Monday

12:00–1:30pm ET

with Terry Real

Monday

Master Therapist

12 PM ET

Free 90-Minute Webinar

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Why Even Skilled Therapists Struggle in Couples Work

If you’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or ineffective in couples sessions, it’s not a you problem. Most therapists were never taught how to navigate the complex, high-stakes dynamics that show up in the room.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

  • Sessions spiral out of control
    Your clients interrupt each other, argue, or dominate the space, and you struggle to intervene or redirect the session.
  • You were trained to stay neutral, but it’s not helping
    Traditional models tell you not to take sides, but in high-conflict dynamics, neutrality often makes things worse.
  • You’re reacting instead of leading
    Without a clear structure, you find yourself improvising each week, hoping something will land.
  • You’re doing all the heavy lifting
    You leave sessions emotionally drained, carrying the weight of the relationship on your own shoulders.
  • Nothing is really changing
    Even when clients have insights in session, they go home and repeat the same dysfunctional patterns.
  • You’re not equipped for deeper issues
    Narcissism, addiction, abuse: these power imbalances derail the work, and you were never properly trained to handle them.

The result? You start to question yourself. You wonder if couples work is even worth it. And yet—you know your clients need more.

This free webinar shows you a way forward.

A Clear, Compassionate Approach That Actually Works

In this free 90-minute training, Terry Real shares the practical framework he’s taught to thousands of therapists through Relational Life Therapy (RLT).

This isn’t theory: it’s what works when you’re in the room with real couples, in real pain.

  • Learn what you didn’t in therapy school: Finally get the tools and language you need to navigate high-conflict couples work with clarity and confidence.
  • Get a practical framework: Learn how to identify and shift dysfunctional patterns like the “more-more” dynamic, so you’re no longer just managing chaos; you’re guiding transformation.
  • Intervene with confidence: RLT teaches you how to speak truth with compassion, even when sessions get heated. You’ll know when to step in, how to hold the line, and what to say.
  • Stop carrying the emotional load: You’ll learn how to get your clients doing the work: so you can stop over-functioning, and start seeing progress.
  • Address what’s really going on: RLT doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. Whether it’s trauma, addiction, or abusive dynamics, you’ll gain the tools to navigate these complexities—or know when to pause the work entirely.
  • Feel inspired to do this work again: Therapists trained in RLT often say couples work went from being draining… to the most fulfilling part of their practice.

If you’re ready to feel more empowered, more effective, and more grounded in your work with couples—join us for this session with Terry. It could change the way you practice, for good.

About Terry Real

Terry Real, LICSW, is an internationally recognized family therapist, sought-after speaker, and bestselling author, who has transformed how we approach relationships. 

He is the creator of Relational Life Therapy (RLT), a groundbreaking therapeutic approach that equips people with the essential relational skills to build and sustain authentic connections—to themselves, each other, and the planet as a whole. 

The author of four books, Terry’s most recent is the New York Times bestseller, Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship, which guides readers toward deeper intimacy and fulfillment. 

Known as “the turnaround guy,” Terry is famous for his extraordinary ability to save couples on the brink of divorce. Through his esteemed training school, the Relational Life Institute, he has trained thousands of mental health practitioners in his RLT method to date.

Terry is committed to relational empowerment, helping everyone develop the skills needed for meaningful, lasting relationships.

Hear From Our Students

Clare Mézes, MSc, RP, Toronto

“The practical and positive approach of RLT has helped my clients see change almost immediately. By weaving past trauma and its impact on relationships and by building new skills together, my clients have expressed new deep and meaningful connections. RLT is not just a training program, it is a community that works in unity to offer ongoing support to therapists as well as clients.

Sig Taylor, MSW, RSW, RMFT, BC

I’ve done all kinds of trainings over the years but never found a model that truly fit for me. I found my home in RLT. My practice was already very successful, but since RLT certification, it’s skyrocketed. I had to close my practice to new clients. It’s also allowed me to be more selective about the clients that I work with. And I’m re-energized by the work: I used to be worn out working with couples, but now I love it. Success and making a difference is a powerful antidote to burnout!

 

Roseanna Zoubek, LCSW, New Jersey

After 25 years of working as a Psychotherapist and Marriage Counselor I was ready to “hang it all up.” I was more than burnt out. Now, 6 months later, I am reinvested in my work and enjoying it in a brand new way. Renewed energy and enthusiasm for my work has replaced the negativity I was experiencing. Thanks so much RLT!”

Discover the 5 Common Mistakes Couples Therapist Make … and How to Avoid Them

Register for the FREE webinar happening Monday at 12:00PM ET

(Don’t worry if you can’t attend the webinar, register as we’ll send out a replay.)

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CE REQUIREMENTS:

The Relational Life Institute is pleased to offer:

Working With Men

Relational Life Institute (RLI) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7495. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Relational Life Institute (RLI) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

ACEP No. 7495

FORMAT: A LIVE Online Course facilitated by Terry Real, LICSW; and Julie Rudiger, LCSW

Continuing Education credits offered: 12  credit hours

Course Description:

Over eight live online classes, learn the skills to engage, motivate, and create breakthrough change with resistant male clients in this live, practice-focused training led by renowned couples therapist and male-psychology expert Terry Real, alongside RLT Faculty Member Julie Rudiger, LCSW. Grounded in Relational Life Therapy (RLT), the course unpacks how patriarchal conditioning and performance-based self-worth fuel disconnection, defensiveness, and shutdown, then shows you how to build trust with even the most challenging men through clear, compassionate confrontation that preserves the therapeutic alliance. You’ll learn to create effective leverage for transformation without triggering collapse, withdrawal, or escalated resistance; tailor interventions for the three common presentations—“boys, bullies, and avoiders”; and reframe masculinity so emotional expression is aligned with strength, honor, and integrity rather than weakness. Through demonstrations and actionable tools from both instructors, you’ll guide men in trauma healing and relational skill development that supports healthier partnerships and parenting. Leave with a concrete RLT roadmap you can use immediately to help clients move from resistance to responsibility and from disconnection to genuine intimacy.

Learning Objectives: At the completion of this course, participants can expect to be able to:

  • Summarize the cultural shaping of masculinity and its consequences.
  • Recognize shame and grandiosity as dual defenses tied to male self-worth.
  • Develop skills to help men shift from defensiveness to compassion.
  • Identify how shame and performance-based esteem show up in male clients.
  • Discuss culturally sensitive ways to challenge entitlement and grandiosity.
  • Identify and work with three major types of difficult men: boys, bullies, and avoiders.
  • Describe how to use leverage as a tool to create change.
  • Identify patterns of resistance in men and learn how to engage them effectively.
  • Utilize leverage to create internal or external motivation for change.
  • Illustrate empowerment to the partner or family system to create pressure that opens the door to transformation.
  • Compare and differentiate between their wounded child, adaptive child, and functional adult selves.
  • Develop an internal caregiving relationship with their inner children rather than expecting partners to repair old wounds.
  • Demonstrate full relational responsibility as an adult, especially in high-conflict, high-defensiveness relationships.

Target Audience: Social Workers, MFTs, Counselors, Substance Abuse Counselors, Nurses, and LMHCs, LMFT’s, Educators, Coaches, Chemical Dependency Counselors 

Course Content Level: The course content is appropriate for Beginner level clinicians.

Cost:   $497 or three payments of $197 each.

Course Date & Hours:   

1pm-2:30pm Eastern Time on:

September 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 2025 

TO REGISTER: https://relationallife.com/working-with-men

Cancellation Policy: You may cancel your registration up until September 16, 2025

Please contact support@terryreal.com if you wish to cancel.

If you need special accommodations or have questions, please contact us at support@terryreal.com 

Please contact our Support team if you have any questions support@terryreal.com 

Instructor’s Bio:

Terry Real, LICSW: Terry Real is the bestselling author of I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression, the straight-talking How Can I Get Through to You? Reconnecting Men and Women, The New Rules of Marriage: What You Need to Make Love Work and most recently Us: Getting Past You & Me to Build a More Loving Relationship just debuted in June 2022.  Terry founded the Relational Life Institute, offering workshops for couples, individuals, and parents as well as a professional training program for clinicians.   Terry’s work, with its rigorous commonsense approach, speaks to both men and women. A proponent of “full-throttle marriage,” Terry has been called “the most innovative voice in thinking about and treating men and their relationships in the world today.”

Julie Rudiger, LCSW has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the last 30 years. In 2002, Julie opened her private practice, where she has helped hundreds of individuals and couples over the last two decades. Her professional journey took a transformative turn in 2008 when she began training with Terry Real, the founder of Relational Life Therapy (RLT). Julie has since used RLT to guide clients in discovering self-esteem, healing early wounds, and fostering deeper, more authentic relationships. A faculty member at the Relational Life Institute since 2022, Julie now trains other therapists and leads community workshops, including Men’s Groups and Relationship Skills Bootcamps. Additionally, she is trained in EMDR, ACT, DBT, Gestalt, and the Enneagram.

CONFLICT of Interest: There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support for this event.

Grievance Procedure:

If a student believes they have been discriminated against, they can submit a written complaint that includes their name, address, phone number, location, date, and a detailed description of the issue. If a student with a disability disagrees with the accommodation provided or has any other grievances, they can schedule a meeting to discuss and attempt to find a solution together. If the student is still not satisfied with the accommodation after further discussion, they can contact the Operations Director for

the Relational Life Institute (RLI), Lisa Sullivan, via phone, email, or mail. If the grievance cannot be resolved, the complainant will be advised to contact the appropriate Ethics Committee or Licensing Board. The Operations Director will keep all grievances and their resolutions confidential in locked files.

A copy of this Grievance Procedure is available upon request.

Contact information: ACEP Administrator & Operations Director for Relational Life Institute (RLI), Lisa Sullivan follows: 291 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459; 617-861-3030 lisa@relationallife.com