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— Live Couples Therapy Observations

Join Leading Couples Therapist Terry Real as He Works Live With One Couple Over 8 Sessions To Transform Their Relationship

Sessions began on January 12, but you can still join and catch up on the session recordings to witness how the therapy evolves. 

An Inside Look at One Couple’s Therapy Journey LIVE … with Q&A (300 × 320 px) (360 × 320 px)

1 Couple

8 Sessions

A Master Therapist

A Never-Before-Seen Look at How a Master Therapist Leads a Couple Through the Minefield of Reconnection…

Terry Real is giving you an all-access pass to 8 LIVE therapy sessions as he works in-depth with one couple, using the therapy method he created, Relational Life Therapy (RLT).

As you know, couples therapy is complex and rarely resolved in one session. This is your unique opportunity to get a real-time, unedited look at how one of the world’s top couples therapists guides one couple from fractured disconnection to fierce intimacy. 

You’ll witness everything: from the initial session where relational stances are diagnosed to deep trauma work to understand how they formed. You’ll see Terry move the couple into vulnerability and connection—and hold them in that space. Finally, you’ll see how he teaches the couple the skills they need to sustain that connection long after their time in therapy.

…And He’ll Let You in on How He Does It

After each session, you’ll join Terry and your fellow observers for 45 minutes of Q&A to unpick what happened. Terry will explain what he was thinking at different points and why he did what he did. Plus, you can ask him questions directly to deepen your understanding of the work.

This combination of observation and Q&A will give you a thorough understanding of the RLT model, how it translates in the therapy room, and—most importantly—a clear idea of how to use these techniques in your own practice.

Please note: 12 CEUs are available to therapists who attend live for an additional fee. For more information, please go here.

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When Are the Observations?

The live observations take place online over Zoom on the following dates and times:

Date Time
Thursday, January 12, 2023
(Recording Included) 		1–2:45 pm ET
Thursday, February 9, 2023
(Recording Included) 		1–2:45 pm ET
Thursday, February 16, 2023
(Recording Included)​ 		12–1:45 pm ET
Thursday, March 2, 2023
(Recording Included)​ 		12–1:45 pm ET
Thursday, March 16, 2023 12–1:45 pm ET
Thursday, March 30, 2023 12–1:45 pm ET
Thursday, April 13, 2023 12–1:45 pm ET
Thursday, April 27, 2023 12–1:45 pm ET

Become Masterful in Your Work With Couples

Don’t worry if you can’t make all of the live dates, you will receive access to the recordings to watch at a time that suits you.

How Do the Observations Work?

The sessions take place every two weeks over Zoom. Please block 2 hours out in your calendar for each.

There are two elements of each session:

Observation
This is where you will observe Terry working in-depth with the couple for roughly one hour. During the therapy session, you will remain on mute and not participate. However, you will be able to share comments in a separate live chat with your fellow observers throughout.

Q&A
After each therapy session, you will have roughly 45 minutes to debrief with Terry and your fellow observers. This is where you’ll dive into the details of what happened and how. You can share your observations and ask Terry questions directly. Terry will hold nothing back in his responses, openly disclosing the RLT tools he used and explaining the intent behind his actions.

What Can I Expect To See?

RLT is known for producing profound, lasting results in rapid time. You may have seen the deeply moving breakthroughs that happen in Terry’s Couples Experiential—but here you will see how a couple evolves over the course of therapy.

You’ll move beyond the initial session and see how to guide them through different challenges, work with resistance, hold them in connection, and teach them the skills they need to sustain lifelong intimacy.

Terry has a reputation for saving couples who other therapists struggled to help. Known for his straight-talking, no-nonsense style, Terry disarms with humor, warmth, and compassion. The chance to observe his masterful skill live is not to be missed.

What Will I Learn?

As you observe each session and spend time learning directly from Terry, you will enhance your understanding of couples work and the techniques that move clients forward.
You’ll discover:

Who Should Attend?

Whether you are familiar with RLT or are brand new to the model, this unique opportunity is for therapists, coaches, and mental health practitioners who wish to observe RLT couples therapy over 8 sessions.

Seeing this evolution of the therapy journey will help you deepen your understanding of how to effectively work with couples and bring fresh perspectives to your work.

Whether you are familiar with RLT or are brand new to the model, this unique opportunity is for therapists, coaches, and mental health practitioners who wish to observe RLT couples therapy over 8 sessions.

Seeing this evolution of the therapy journey will help you deepen your understanding of how to effectively work with couples and bring fresh perspectives to your work.

About Terry Real, the Creator of Relational Life Therapy

Terry Real, LICSW, is an internationally recognized couples and family therapist, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. Terry founded the Relational Life Institute (RLI) to provide workshops for couples, individuals, and parents as well as a professional training program for clinicians wanting to learn his Relational Life Therapy (RLT) methodology.

Terry is the author of four books, including the recent New York Times bestseller, Us: Getting Past You & Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. His ideas on men’s issues and couple’s therapy have been celebrated in venues such as Psychology Networker, Psychology Today, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Vogue, Forbes, Oprah, and The New York Times.

A senior faculty member of the Family Institute of Cambridge in Massachusetts and a retired Clinical Fellow of the Meadows Institute in Arizona, Terry has worked with thousands of individuals, couples, and fellow therapists. With 30+ years of clinical experience, Terry knows how to lead couples on a step-by-step journey to greater intimacy and personal fulfillment. Known as “the turnaround guy,” he has a history of transforming relationships that are “on the brink.”

The Relational Life Institute grew out of Terry’s extensive experience and research. He has trained thousands of therapists who have benefited from a whole new perspective on working with couples and individuals. RLT teaches people how to make their relationships work by providing services designed to teach the principles of Relational Life so that everyone can enjoy full respect living and craft a healthy life legacy.

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How Observing Terry’s Work Has Helped Your Colleagues

This is the first time Terry has opened the doors to multiple therapy sessions with one couple. However, thousands of therapists have already benefited from observing his initial sessions with couples as part of his popular Couples Experiential workshop.

Here’s what they have to say about observing Terry…  

“Rarely does a therapist have the ability to get to the heart of a matter quickly. Incorporating fierce honesty, deep listening, compassion, and a way forward, Terry shares insights and wisdom from beyond. After he worked with each couple, it felt like a little piece of suffering was lifted from the universe.”
— Christine King

“I learned so much from observing Terry and then being able to debrief with him over lunch and at the end of each day. Very powerful, very educational, very comprehensive. It’s well worth the time and money. I plan to attend again. Thank you Terry!”
— Cindy Hastert

“I have been doing couple’s work for 23+ years. It is never easy and always a challenge. I started my journey learning from Terry Real and I am STILL learning and growing! Terry’s work is SO IMPORTANT if not imperative and should never be missed if you also want to do couple’s therapy. I recommend 100%, so, so fantastic and NOT JUST MORE theory, but you learn INTERVENTIONS!!!”
— Dr. Fallynn C. Cox

“Instead of hearing how to do therapy, the Couple’s Experiential provided the opportunity to watch Terry Real, a master therapist, work with four couples who were on the brink of divorce. It was an exquisite opportunity to see Real Life Therapy in action. As a result of attending, I will hold my clients in a more loving space while having specific goals and caring far less about outcome. I found it life changing!”
— Janet M Congo

“It is a wonder to watch Terry work… The mix of challenge, support and empathy is quite breathtaking. Finally, the meetings with the Observer group was enriching, often moving. All in all, just what a great educational experience should be.”
— Mary Anne Lushe, LMSW,. LMFT.

How Much Does it Cost?

Choose the single payment option or easy payment plan:

Single Payment

$395

2 easy payments of 

$227

REFUND POLICY: OBSERVER Cancelation Policy: $50 is non-refundable, balance may be refunded up to 7 days after purchase date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Secure Your Space in the Live Couples Therapy Observations To Learn Directly From Terry Real and Enrich Your Work With Couples

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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