A One-Day Immersion Into the Foundations of Relational Life Therapy

with RLT Director of Training, Desirae Ysasi

An in-person training for therapists and coaches who want a clearer, more effective way to work with couples – especially when trust is broken or you’re stuck continuously mediating the same fight.

🗓 Thursday, September 24th 2026
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton, 1255 Jeanne-Mance Street, Montreal, H5B 1E5

Register Now

AS SEEN IN: Psychotherapy Networker • Psychology Today • NICABM • Oxford University • PESI

A Faster, More Effective Model for Therapists Working With Couples on the Brink

If you work with couples – or are considering it – you already know how intense and demanding it can be:

You may sit with couples shattered by infidelity – where the betrayed partner feels so deeply hurt they find it hard to believe they can ever trust again.

Maybe you’re walking on eggshells with narcissistic partners – the ones who have a smart answer for everything or are adamant there isn’t even a problem here.

Perhaps you’re meeting couples who’ve been fighting the same fight for years – exhausted, hopeless, and quietly wondering if they can really keep going like this.

While it’s challenging, helping couples shift out of conflict and build intimate, fulfilling relationships with the most important people in their lives is some of the most rewarding work you will ever do.

With Relational Life Therapy, you get a roadmap that allows you to walk into your couples sessions with greater confidence and effectiveness. You’ll have a clear structure that helps you move your couples beyond their day-to-day conflicts and navigate those moments where you wonder “What do I do next?”

[Anisha Video Testimonial – Add video embed here in Elementor]

Gain More Confidence and Fulfillment in Your Work

Join An Introduction to Relational Life Therapy

In this one-day in-person training, you’ll learn the foundational principles that underpin RLT. You’ll discover how it will transform how you work with couples so your clients feel hopeful and motivated and you feel energized, not burnt out.

You’ll explore the theory behind RLT, along with some of the effective tools and strategies that move couples toward meaningful change.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Identify the 5 guiding principles of RLT in clinical practice.
  • Interpret the 3 parts of the self in RLT and their roles in relationship dynamics.
  • Explain the key differences between RLT and traditional couples therapy.
  • Summarize the 3 Phases of RLT and the goals and therapeutic intentions of each.
Register Now

What RLT Does Differently – and why it works

Most traditional couples therapy models focus on managing day-to-day conflict – often leading to years of talking without meaningful results.

RLT is different, getting to the root of what’s driving couples apart from the very first session.

Developed by leading couples therapist and New York Times bestselling author Terry Real, RLT is grounded in his 40 years of clinical experience working with couples on the brink of divorce.

Through his real-world therapy sessions, Terry quickly learned that traditional techniques like staying neutral weren’t enough when it came to working with couples. And so he began to find what did work, and in doing so broke nearly every rule of couples therapy he’d been taught.

In this in-person training, you will be introduced to Terry’s radical approach for effective – and often fast – couples therapy. Including how we take sides to restore balance, work with trauma in the presence of a partner, and draw on our own relational healing to build trust and alliances that motivate change.

Through three clear phases, RLT gives therapists a clear vision for their sessions, allowing them to help clients heal from the past and develop the skills to build the relationships they crave.

This pre-day training is an introduction to that map.

Register Now

Continuing Education Credit Hours will be available for this event. The exact number will be confirmed closer to the date.

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.

“RLT pulled everything together into a clear, comprehensive framework that solidified my practice.

There are certain things that are right and wrong, and we’ve got to call them out… [RLT] It gave me permission to do therapy the way I always believed it should be done… If you want to work with couples with integrity, this is the modality you should learn.”

Dr. Gloria Lee
Psychologist, PsyD, RPsych
Burnaby, BC

What the Day Will Look Like

This training takes place at the DoubleTree Hilton, Montreal, Canada.

An Introduction to RLT with Desirae Ysasi
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9am – 4pm

8:45–9:00Arrive and Check in
9:00–10:15Foundations and Core Principles of RLT
10:15–10:30Break
10:30–12:00Relational Mindfulness and Parts of the Self
12:00–1:00Lunch
1:00–2:15Taking Sides, Confronting Grandiosity, Relational Empowerment
2:15–2:30Break
2:30–3:45The Arc of RLT
3:45–4:00Closing and Check out

A light lunch will be provided.

Who Should Attend?

This in-person training is for therapists and coaches who are curious about new, more effective ways of working with couples – and helping them build the relationships they deeply desire.

You may be brand new to couples work and ready to expand your practice…
But are unsure how to translate your individual therapy experience into effective couples therapy results.

Or you may have been working with couples for decades…
Yet still find yourself lacking the structure or confidence to shift entrenched, high-conflict dynamics.

RLT offers a different way of working with couples that provides a clear roadmap to results, alongside a supportive community of professionals committed to this transformative work.

Register Now

About Your Teacher

Desirae Ysasi, LPC-S

Desirae Ysasi is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor with nearly two decades of experience, specializing in relationship counseling.

Serving the San Antonio community since 2006, she works exclusively with couples in romantic relationships, folks in non-traditional romantic relationship structures (ethical nonmonogamy), and adults seeking to improve family dynamics.

Desirae became a Certified Relational Life Therapist in 2018 trained directly by Terry Real, the founder of Relational Life Therapy (RLT). She joined the faculty of the Relational Life Institute in 2022 and now serves as Director of Training & Certification, overseeing the global certification program. She has been the owner of Ysasi Counseling since 2014 and in the fall of 2024, Desirae opened Relational Life Texas, a group practice focused on RLT, providing relationship therapy across Texas.

“I really enjoyed the introduction to RLT delivered by Desirae yesterday. She gave a very informative and comprehensive overview and delivered it in an engaging way”

— Sharon Patel

“Desirae is an extraordinary teacher and faculty advisor whose insight and support have deeply shaped my growth. She lives and breathes the RLT model and relationality—her ability to consistently apply the RLT lens gently course-corrects my own. She listens with intention, challenges with compassion, and offers guidance that is both practical and profound. I feel incredibly fortunate to have learned from her.”

— Nancy Pickard

“Training with Desirae constantly leaves me with a sensation of clarity and direction. Her active and engaged style of instructing has assisted me in discovering my personal growth edges and meeting those with compassion. She has a great ability to sense into the group she is working with, being attuned to their needs and inviting participation to ensure all are receiving and integrating the instruction.”

— Jessica Johnson

RLT Is Trusted by Therapists and Coaches Working With Make-or-Break Couples

“Before RLT I felt like something was missing as a therapist.

The things I was taught in school were not practical and I felt stuck in my practice. I’m so grateful for the experiences I have had with the RLT training. I now see relationships in a way that finally makes sense to me and I have more confidence working with couples because I have something that is realistic and I believe works and more importantly my clients are able to grasp and practice.”

— Jen K.

“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.”

— Clare Mézes
MSc, RP, Toronto, Canada

“It’s a soft, simple methodology that gets to the root cause very quickly.

Even in difficult cases like infidelity, I was able to handle so much more effectively because of RLT… It’s a very effective way to be with a client.”

— Nasim Mughal
Licensed Psychotherapist, Karachi, Pakistan

“Now I have a road map and I know how to begin to make sense of what’s going on in a relationship.

When I think about how I used to approach my work with couples and how I approach my work now… I didn’t know what I was doing, but I didn’t know I didn’t know. Now, I have this clarity and knowledge about what it is that I can deliver to them that’s going to be helpful.”

— Brenda Forster
Clinical Counsellor, M.Ed., R.C.C., Kelowna, BC

“I feel great about the work I’m doing with couples.

For most of my couples, their course of therapy is between six months to two years. Whereas before some couples I would be seeing for like up to five years and still not really feeling like the strong tangible results were there.”

— Rachel Keller
Clinical Social Worker, LCSW-C, CST, Baltimore, MD

“I used to be worn out working with couples, but now I love it.

I’ve done all kinds of trainings over the years but never found a model that truly fit for me. I had become “eclectic” in my approach, never really mastering any one approach. I longed for a model that encouraged me to myself – open, authentic, and most importantly, effective. I found my home in RLT.”

— Sig Taylor
MSW, RSW, RMFT, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

About the Venue

Explore the DoubleTree Hilton, Montreal, Canada

Located in downtown’s Quartier des spectacles, DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal is linked to Complexe Desjardins mall and Montreal Convention Centre, and just 20km from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Intl Airport. It has two restaurants and bars, five terraces, an indoor pool, and a fitness center.

Room reservations: If you are travelling from outside Montreal, and would like to reserve a room at the DoubleTree by Hilton, we have reserved a number of rooms at the hotel. You will receive the booking link to secure your room at a discounted rate in the confirmation email once you register.

Please note: Participants are responsible for making their own travel and accommodation arrangements.

Join An Introduction to Relational Life Therapy

with Desirae Ysasi, LPC-S

Secure your space today for just

$195

Register Now

You're Protected by a 100% Money-Back Guarantee

We appreciate plans may change therefore we offer a full refund if you cancel before Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Please email support@terryreal.com if you need to cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the venue?

The DoubleTree Hilton Montreal is located just a 30-minute drive from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Intl Airport and a 10-minute drive from Montreal Central Train Station.

Parking is available on-site for an additional charge, please visit the hotel website directly for more information: https://doubletreemontreal.com/en/

Are Continuing Ed Credit Hours available?

Continuing Education Credit Hours will be available for this event. The exact number will be confirmed closer to the date.

Will the event be livestreamed?

To maximize the benefits of being together in person, there will not be a livestream ticket option available.

What’s your refund policy?

We appreciate things can come up unexpectedly and plans change, so you can get a full refund if you cancel before Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Email support@terryreal.com. Any cancellations after that date will not be eligible for refund.

I have more questions. Who do I speak to?

Please contact us at support@terryreal.com.

Discover how RLT will help increase your confidence and effectiveness in couples work

Join us in Montreal on Thursday, September 24, 2026

Register Now

FORMAT:

Continuing Education credits offered:

Requirements for CE Certificate:

CE REQUIREMENTS:

The Relational Life Therapy Level 1 Training

Homestudy Course Continuing Ed Details

Facilitated by Terry Real, LICSW

This home study course is approved for continuing education hours as described below.

NBCC (National Board of Certified Counsellors)

10 CE hours for Beginner Mental Health Professionals

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

Target Audience

Social Workers, MFTs, Counselors, Substance Abuse Counselors, Nurses, and LMHCs, LMFTs, Educators, Coaches, Chemical Dependency Counselors 

Course Content Level

The course content is appropriate for beginner level clinicians.

Course Description

Terry Real presents RLI’s introductory training course, Relational Life Therapy Level 1.

Over five recorded classes you’ll be introduced to the powerful principals behind Relational Life Therapy (RLT) as taught by Terry Real. RLT Level 1 is designed to give you an in-depth introduction to the theory and practice of the RLT model.  

During this course, students will discover the differences between RLT and traditional psychodynamic therapy. Also considered are the stances of “one-down shame” and “one-up grandiosity” in couples; according to RLT, true intimacy can only happen when partners are “same-as” with each other. RLT is about action and lasting results, helping people to make major changes to the negative parts of their character, and the critical role and stance of the therapist is described. Presented also are the concepts of Relational Mindfulness, Joining Through The Truth, and psychological patriarchy.

RLT Level 1 is the first step toward RLT certification and will prepare you for the Level 2 & 3 trainings to deepen your understanding of Relational Life Therapy.

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

  1. Compare the RLT phases and how RLT differs from traditional therapy. 
  2. Describe the role and approach of the practitioner in RLT.
  3. Diagnose the RLT view of power imbalances in couples, of psychological patriarchy, and how these are addressed through therapy.
  4. Summarize Relational Mindfulness and the “fight, flight, fix” responses. 
  5. Describe the role and approach of the therapist in RLT.
  6. Explain the two types of leverage.
  7. Discuss the concept of appropriate discrepancy and how it works with neuroplasticity.
  8. List the 8 diagnostic lenses in RLT.
  9. Interpret how preconditions are addressed in RLT.
  10. Compare the two types of boundaries.
  11. Demonstrate strategies for empowering latent clients. 

Throughout the course, you’ll gain deeper competency in and be able to: 

  • Illustrate that true intimacy can only happen when partners are “same-as” – neither one-up nor one-down.
  • Discuss how RLT practitioners will confront and teach their clients how to live relationally.
  • Hypothesize how RLT practitioners use judicious self-disclosure, sharing stories of they use these same skills in their own relationships.

Continuing Ed Credits Available: 7.5 NBCC credit hours ($40 additional fee)

CE Certificate Requirements: 

  • Satisfactory Course Completion
  • Participants must have paid for this course, completed a course Evaluation, and passed the test (80% or higher grade) showing the material has been learned in order to receive a certificate.
  • No partial credit is available.
  • Failure to complete and submit these materials will result in forfeiture of CE credit for the entire course. No exceptions can be made. Partial credit is not available. 
  • Instructions are included in your RLT Course Library for Homestudy Level 1 at https://learn.relationallife.com/
  • If you have questions please contact support@terryreal.com for guidance.

It is the participant’s responsibility to check if their Board, state, organization is approved for these Continuing Ed credit hours. There is no partial credit. No refunds will be given on CE purchases for failure to check state approval.

Cost

This course is $397.00 for a single payment or three payments of $137.00

Commercial Support Disclaimer

There is no conflict of interest for this program.

Cancellation Policy

You may request a refund up to 2 days after purchase.

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

Accommodations

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

Instructor’s Bios: 

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.

Desirae Ysasi, LPC-S is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor with nearly two decades of experience, specializing in relationship counseling. Serving the San Antonio community since 2006, she works exclusively with couples in romantic relationships, folks in non-traditional romantic relationship structures (ethical nonmonogamy), and adults seeking to improve family dynamics. Desirae became a Certified Relational Life Therapist in 2018 trained directly by Terry Real, the founder of Relational Life Therapy (RLT). She joined the faculty of the Relational Life Institute in 2022 and now serves as Director of Training & Certification, overseeing the global certification program. She has been the owner of Ysasi Counseling since 2014 and in the fall of 2024, Desirae opened Relational Life Texas, a virtual therapy group practice focused on RLT, providing relationship therapy across Texas.

 

Kate Harris, Ph.D.: Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Kate is a Clinical Psychologist and a certified Martha Beck, North Star Coach. In 2015, Kate watched Terry Real work live with 5 couples and was instantly committed to becoming an RLT therapist. Kate believes that RLT honors “the worth and dignity of all people” and it aligns clearly with her own personal values. After attending a Relationship Bootcamp workshop, she and her husband learned first-hand the tools Terry teaches and they continue to use them today to deepen their 32-year relationship. Kate became RLT Certified in 2018 and is a valued teacher.

 

Anna Sterk, LMFT

Anna began training in RLT with Terry Real in 2012 and has been providing therapy, Essential Skills Bootcamps, consultation, and supervision through the RLT model for years; Anna was thrilled to have the opportunity to teach and train practitioners as faculty with the Relational Life Institute (RLI) beginning in 2022.  Anna’s style as a therapist, teacher, and supervisor is to balance compassion and collaboration with direct feedback. Anna’s roots are in systems theory and cultural studies, which was a natural fit for the RLT model, and supports her goal of teaching the skills to navigate long term relationships and support relational living for both clients and students alike. As RLI Faculty, Anna teaches the Practicum courses and Small Group Mentoring for RLT certification students, along with special topic courses.

BONUS Material Instructors (CE hours not included in bonus content)

Dr. Gabor Maté:

Dr. Gabor Maté is a physician who specialized in family practice, palliative care, and addiction medicine. A renowned speaker, physician, and bestselling author, Dr. Gabor Maté is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, childhood trauma, stress, and mind/body connection. He is called a “people whisperer” for his gift of seeing deep inside anyone. His life’s work is dedicated to liberating people from their childhood trauma so that they can make a choice of how to live in the present moment.

Carol Gilligan, Ph.D., of New York, NY has been recognized by many institutions and organizations for her efforts in the area of women’s advancement and moral psychology. She studied literature at Swarthmore College as an undergrad, and she graduated from Radcliffe in 1960 with a master’s in psychology. She continued to Harvard, where she received her Ph.D. in psychology in 1964. Three years later, Gilligan took a teaching position at Harvard where she worked alongside Erik Erikson and Lawrence Kohlberg. While Gilligan worked as a research assistant along Kohlberg, known for his theory of moral development, she began focusing on the moral dilemmas and development of young girls. In addition to the Grawemeyer Award for Education, Gilligan has also received the Heinz Award for Human Condition and was named one of the most influential people of the year by TIME Magazine in 1996. She has also published works of fiction and developed a full-length play based on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter.

Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.

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; www.relationallife.com

CE REQUIREMENTS:

AWAITING Conference CE REQUIREMNTS

The Relational Life Institute is pleased to offer:

An Introduction to Relational Life Therapy 

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 one-day LIVE training facilitated by Desirae Ysasi, LPC-S, RLI Director of Faculty

Location: Regent’s University London, Inner Cir, London NW1 4NS, United Kingdom

Continuing Education credits offered:  5.5 credit hours.

At the completion of this course, all participants will be invited by email to purchase the 5.5 CE credits for a $40 fee. To receive a certificate, you must attend the full course. There is no partial credit, attendance will be taken.

Content: If you’re new to the Relational Life Therapy (RLT) model – or just want to revisit the foundations ahead of your training with 2-Day Training with Terry Real.  Join RLI’s Director of Training Desirae Ysasi for a pre-workshop training the day before Terry Real’s course begin.

You’ll explore the theory behind RLT, along with some of the effective tools and strategies that move couples toward meaningful change.

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

  • Recognize the 5 guiding principles of RLT in clinical practice.
  • Identify the 3 parts of the self in RLT and their roles in relationship dynamics.
  • Interpret the key differences between RLT and traditional couples’ therapy.
  • Summarize the 3 Phases of RLT and the goals and therapeutic intentions of each.

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:

Oct 27th one-day training with Desirae ONLY: £170 early bird until July 1 (then £195)

Oct 28-29th two-day training with Terry ONLY: £375 early bird until July 1 (then £425)

BOTH events (3 full days of training): £545 early bird until July 1 (then £620)

Course Dates & Hours:  Monday, October 27, 2025, from 9am to 4pm

TO REGISTER: Please visit:   https://relationallife.com/london-2025-trainings

Cancellation Policy:

We know sometimes plans can change so you’re protected by a 100% money-back guarantee until September 26, 2025. Please contact us at support@terryreal.com before September 26, 2025, and we will refund you. Any cancellations after this date will not be eligible for refunds.

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:

Desirae Ysasi, LPC-S is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor with nearly two decades of experience, specializing in relationship counseling. Serving the San Antonio community since 2006, she works exclusively with couples in romantic relationships, folks in non-traditional romantic relationship structures (ethical nonmonogamy), and adults seeking to improve family dynamics. Desirae became a Certified Relational Life Therapist in 2018 trained directly by Terry Real, the founder of Relational Life Therapy (RLT). She joined the faculty of the Relational Life Institute in 2022 and now serves as Director of Training & Certification, overseeing the global certification program. She has been the owner of Ysasi Counseling since 2014 and in the fall of 2024, Desirae opened Relational Life Texas, a virtual therapy group practice focused on RLT, providing relationship therapy across Texas.

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

CE REQUIREMENTS:

The Relational Life Institute is pleased to offer:

The RLT Level 1 Training Course 

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: Five LIVE Online Sessions on Zoom, facilitated by Bonny Slim, LMFT and Terry Real, LICSW

Continuing Education credits offered: 10 credit hours for 5 Classes. Full attendance required.

Requirements for CE Certificate:  At the end of this course, you’ll receive an email inviting you to request your Continuing Education certificate.
The certificate is free of charge. To qualify, you must:

  • Attend the entire course (no partial credit is available)
  • Pass an assessment quiz demonstrating your understanding of the material
  • Attendance will be recorded to verify completion.

 

Course Content:

Over five live classes you’ll be introduced to the powerful principals behind Relational Life Therapy (RLT). RLT Level 1 is designed to give you an in-depth introduction to the theory and practice of the RLT model.   

Discover the differences between RLT and traditional psychodynamic therapy. Also considered are the stances of “one-down shame” and “one-up grandiosity” in couples; according to RLT, true intimacy can only happen when partners are “same-as” with each other. RLT is about action and swift results, helping people to make major changes to the negative parts of their character, and the critical role and stance of the therapist is described. Presented also are the concepts of Relational Mindfulness, Joining Through the Truth, and psychological patriarchy.

RLT Level 1 is the first step toward RLT certification and will prepare you for the Level 2 & 3 trainings.

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

  1. Compare the RLT phases and how RLT differs from traditional therapy.
  2. Describe the role and approach of the therapists in RLT.
  3. Diagnose the RLT view of power imbalances in couples, of psychological patriarchy, and how these are addressed through therapy.
  4. Summarize Relational Mindfulness and the “fight, flight, fix” responses. 
  5. Illustrate the role and approach of the therapist in RLT.
  6. Describe the role and approach of the therapist in RLT.
  7. Identify different types of leverage.
  8. Discuss the concept of appropriate discrepancy and how it works with Neuroplasticity.
  9. List the Seven lenses.
  10. Interpret how preconditions are addressed in RLT.
  11. Compare the two types of boundaries.
  12. Demonstrate strategies for latent people.

 

Throughout the course, you’ll gain deeper competency in and be able to: 

  •  Illustrate that true intimacy can only happen when partners are “same as” —neither one-up nor one-down.
  • Discuss how RLT Therapists and Coaches will confront and teach their clients how to live truly relationally.
  • Hypothesize how RLT Therapists and Coaches use judicious self-disclosure, sharing stories of they use these same skills in their own 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:  $395 in full; or 3 payments of $137 each

Course Dates & Hours:    

Each class will meet from 12pm to 2pm Eastern Time on these dates:

Session 1 – January 22, 2026
Session 2 – January 29, 2026
Session 3 – February 5, 2026
Session 4 – February 12, 2026
Session 5 – February 19, 2026 

TO REGISTER: Please visit this site for registration:

https://relationallife.com/level-1-training

Cancellation Policy: You may request a refund up to 2 days after the first live session.

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

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

Instructors’ Bios:

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.”

Bonny Slim, LMFT: Bonny started training in RLT in 2012 and has participated in most of the courses that Terry has offered since then. Through co-facilitating several Relational Bootcamps, she discovered how transformative the group experience can be. Bonny teaches several Practicum Trainings each year and anticipates the impact that the practicum groups have for participants will be enormously valuable. Her favorite aspect of RLT is the awareness that practicing relational skills in our own lives is essential to be able to authentically share/teach these skills to others.

 

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

www.relationallife.com

Welcome

You’ve joined the Relational Life community. Expect thoughtful insights on building deeper, more authentic connections.

Coontinue Exploring