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Get the step-by-step roadmap for understanding any relationship problem with the kind of precision that builds trust from the very first session. Enroll in RLT Level 1 and learn how to:
100% Money-Back Guarantee
10 Continuing Ed Credit Hours Included Upon successful completion of a short online assessment.More details here
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.
International Coaching Federation (ICF) has approved this program for 7 Core Competency hours and 3 Resource Development hours. (Please note: Resource Development includes training formerly called Personal Development, Business Development, or Other Skills and Tools).
Every effective intervention begins with one thing:
When you have that clarity, you can confidently keep even the most volatile couples moving forward. Without it, you risk spending your time:
In sessions filled with blame or shutdown, finding the truth beneath the layers of pain and resentment is anything but straightforward.
That’s what Terry Real has done for more than 40 years – not by waiting for insight to arise, but by utilizing 8 diagnostic lenses that make the core of relationship problems unmistakably clear.
You’ll learn how to use those exact lenses in RLT Level 1 to give you confidence, clarity, and a way to help clients see – often for the first time – how they’re co-creating the disconnection.
A clear, structured approach to the most complex work you’ll ever do.
Lead with clarity
So you walk into sessions knowing exactly what to track.
Diagnose with precision
See what’s really driving the dysfunction.
Guide the process
Keep even volatile couples moving forward.
Stay grounded
So you leave sessions energized instead of depleted.
Work with reactivity
Address power, shame, and disconnection head-on.
Speak hard truths
Confront skillfully while staying connected.
Your training includes recorded teaching, footage of real RLT couples therapy, and role plays of challenging couples dynamics to help you build fluency and apply the method confidently in practice.
Whether you’re looking to go deeper in your couples work, or want a diagnostic map you can rely on when sessions go off track, RLT Level 1 offers a clear, practical foundation to guide your approach.
And with on-demand access, you can work through the modules at your own pace.
You’ll get instant access to all five modules and special bonuses, so you can start learning right away and integrate the material into your practice on a timeline that works for you.
Built on 40 years of clinical expertise, Relational Life Therapy draws from decades of real-world practice, research, and proven results.
This opening module reframes the entire approach to couples therapy by introducing the three foundational phases of RLT and how they work together to generate transformation.
You’ll learn:
Module 2 introduces the first three diagnostic lenses, helping you get beneath the presenting problem and help clients move beyond individual empowerment into relational empowerment.
You’ll learn:
Go deeper into the heart of the couple’s dysfunction by decoding their reactive strategies and early conditioning. Explore the Adaptive Child and Losing Strategies, giving you a structured way to name each partner’s reactivity without shame or blame.
You’ll learn:
This module takes you deeper into the structural forces shaping clients’ behavior. You’ll learn how to use the Relationship Grid to assess self-esteem and boundaries, and how early family roles continue to shape how each partner shows up in their relationships.
You’ll learn:
Explore the last two diagnostic lenses – Blatant/Latent Power and Social Context.
You’ll learn how to use this full map to gather leverage, confront destructive behaviors, and “wake up” even the most resistant clients.
You’ll learn:
The fastest way to internalize the eight diagnostic lenses is to see them in action.
Observe Terry conduct a real Phase 1 intervention with a couple, showing how he gathers data, reads the system, and begins to name the dynamic. This demonstration bridges the gap between theory and practice so you can better translate the model into your own sessions.
In these clip-length demonstrations, experienced RLT faculty role-play common couples dynamics and show how a practitioner can navigate them using Phase 1 data-gathering tools. You’ll see the subtle moves, from tracking interaction patterns to asking the right questions, that help reveal the deeper structure beneath the surface conflict.
In this 60-minute interview, Terry sits down with Dr. Gabor Maté for an intimate dialogue on the relationship between trauma, emotional repression, and relational repair. Together they explore the physical and relational toll of unresolved trauma and how both therapists and clients can begin to heal.
Go behind the scenes of RLT’s origin story in this rare discussion between Terry and world-renowned feminist psychologist Carol Gilligan.
From the influence of relational ethics to the evolving role of gender in therapy, this conversation offers deeper insight into the intellectual foundations that shaped RLT and why it remains a timely, radical approach to working with couples.
This curated video collection features some of the most insightful questions from past RLT Level 1 cohorts covering everything from what to do if a couple’s stories don’t match to working with resentful clients who don’t want to change.
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
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
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
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’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
At the heart of RLT Level 1 is a structured approach to what we call waking up the client – helping them recognize the real role they play in their relational dynamic. To do that effectively, you’ll learn to assess each couple through 8 specific diagnostic lenses that bring clarity to even the most complex relationships.
When you have that clarity, you can confidently keep even the most volatile couples moving forward. Without it, you risk spending your time:
Screen for issues that must be addressed before relational work can begin. This includes factors like active addiction, psychiatric instability, or ongoing abuse.
Identify each partner’s relational stance and the repetitive loop they co-create. This lens reveals the dynamic that keeps them stuck.
Spot the five automatic behaviors that derail intimacy. These include being right, controlling, unbridled self-expression, retaliation, and withdrawal.
Map each partner’s relational posture by assessing their self-esteem and boundaries – particularly how grandiosity or shame shows up in the dynamic.
Explore which childhood survival role each partner adopted, such as the hero, scapegoat, or lost child, and how that role influences their adult relationships.
Assess how power is expressed in the relationship. Latent partners tend to be indirect or passive, while blatant partners are more overt, dominant, or grandiose.
Account for broader cultural factors like gender, race, class, and privilege. This lens helps you recognize how social identity shapes power, expectation, and behavior in the relationship.
Together, these lenses give you a clear, multidimensional understanding of each partner and the dynamic between them, so you can lead the work with structure and confidence.
Terry Real, LICSW, is an internationally recognized family therapist and bestselling author.
Known as “the turnaround guy,” Terry is famous for his remarkable ability to save couples on the brink of divorce. He has trained thousands of therapists in his RLT model to help them achieve similar results.
Our senior RLT faculty play an integral role in training the next generation of therapists. Each brings a deep understanding of the RLT model and their own clinical experience, demonstrating how this powerful framework can be adapted to practitioners’ own therapeutic styles.
Learn with our faculty in RLT Level 1 as they guide you through clinical role plays and answer commonly asked questions inside the Q&A Vault.
When you join, you’ll get full access to all 5 on-demand modules with Terry Real, plus bonus resources – risk-free.
We’re confident you’ll love RLT Level 1, but we offer a 100% money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.
If, for whatever reason you’re not completely satisfied, just email us within 14 days of your purchase and we’ll refund you in full. No questions asked.
RLT Level 1 is the first step of the full certification pathway. If you choose to continue later,
your full Level 1 tuition will be credited toward the certification.
Yes. RLT Level 1 Homestudy offers 10 NBCC-approved Continuing Education (CE) credits upon successful completion of a short online assessment.
Please ensure you click “Complete” on the final class. Once you do, the assessment will appear automatically in your menu.
The Relational Life Institute (RLI) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7495.
Please note: While NBCC CEs are widely accepted by many state licensing boards, it’s your responsibility to confirm eligibility with your specific board or credentialing body.
No. Terry’s core training is pre-recorded but will broadcast live each week so you can experience his work together.
This will be immediately followed up with a live deep-dive session led by Bonny Slim, a senior RLT faculty member with more than 10 years of experience in the model.
These calls are designed to help you integrate the material and apply the 8 diagnostic lenses with more clarity and confidence.
The Relational Life Institute (RLI) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7495.
International Coaching Federation (ICF) has approved this program for 7 Core Competency hours and 3 Resource Development hours.
Yes. RLT Level 1 is designed for both therapists and coaches. In fact, many coaches already use RLT’s principles to deepen their client work. If you support people in relational growth, then this training will serve you well.
Absolutely. While RLT is rooted in couples work, the diagnostic tools and confrontational techniques are just as powerful in individual therapy, especially with clients working through relational trauma, boundary issues, or recurring patterns in relationships. You’ll walk away with new language, sharper insights, and strategies you can use immediately – even one-on-one.
Yes. Terry built RLT as a direct response to the limitations of traditional couples therapy. He’s often known as the “last resort” therapist, called in when nothing else has worked. This method was designed for the toughest cases: high-conflict couples, chronic resentment, emotional shutdown, infidelity, even situations on the brink of divorce.
We’re confident you’ll love RLT Level 1, but we offer a 100% money-back guarantee for your peace of mind. If, for whatever reason you’re not completely satisfied, please contact us at support@terryreal.com within 14 days of your purchase and we’ll issue you a full refund, no questions asked.
You don’t have to, but we recommend it. The best way to build fluency with the RLT model is to start experimenting with the tools in session. Even applying one lens at a time can create powerful shifts. You’ll be surprised how quickly it clicks.
Not at first, and that’s okay. Terry may be able to identify root issues in a single session, but he invented the method and has 40+ years of experience.
As a new practitioner, you’re encouraged to take your time. RLT teaches you how to layer 8 diagnostic lenses over time, building a rich, nuanced picture of what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Level 1 is a complete and self-contained training. Many graduates have made immediate improvements in their client outcomes after completing just this course.
That said, RLT is a deep and evolving model, and if you choose to go further, Level 2 and full certification are always available to you.
We’re confident you’ll love RLT Level 1, but we offer a 100% money-back guarantee for your peace of mind. If, for whatever reason you’re not completely satisfied, please contact us at support@terryreal.com within 14 days of your purchase and we’ll issue you a full refund, no questions asked.
