RLT Conference 2026 in Montreal, Canada
- Friday September 25th → Sunday, September 27th, 2026
-
Plus pre-day intro training for those new to RLT…
🗓 Thursday, September 24th 2026
What is the RLT Conference?
Learn
Grow
Connect
The RLT Conference is a multi-day, live, in-person experience featuring Terry Real and leading minds in relational therapy.
You’ll explore groundbreaking relational topics, learn from visionary therapists, and build a supportive network within our thriving community of wholehearted practitioners.
Keynote Speakers
We have 5 incredible keynote speakers confirmed who will bring new perspectives to your work.
Terry Real
the Creator of Relational Life Therapy
Internationally recognized family therapist Terry Real, LICSW, is the New York Times bestselling author of Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. He is the creator of Relational Life Therapy
(RLT), the progressive approach to couples therapy that equips people with the powerful relational skills they need to cultivate meaningful connections – to themselves and each other.
Carol & Jim Gilligan,
Prominent Academics & Authors
Carol Gilligan is a developmental psychologist known for her groundbreaking work on women’s moral and psychological development. Her work inspired & informed a feminist-oriented movement in philosophical ethics known as the ethics of care.
Jim Gilligan is a psychiatrist who specializes in the psychology of violent behavior, best known for his series of books on the subject, which draw on his 25 years of work in the American prison system.
Martha Kauppi,
LMFT and Sex Therapist
Martha Kauppi is a marriage and family therapist, educator, and AASECT-certified sex therapist and supervisor.
She has a lifelong career in sexual health, counseling, and creative education. Her aim is to debunk myths and prominent cultural beliefs that disrupt intimate connections and create a world where finding a therapist who can work effectively with relational intimacy challenges is easy.
Frank Anderson,
Psychiatrist & Trauma Specialist
Frank Anderson, MD, is both a psychiatrist and psychotherapist and the author of several books. He has spent the past three decades studying neuroscience and trauma treatment.
He completed his residency, served as a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and is passionate about integrating various models of therapy for trauma.
Dr. Kenneth V. Hardy
professor of family therapy
Dr. Kenneth V. Hardy is a professor of family therapy at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is also director of the Eikenberg Institute for Relationships in New York. His work with at-risk children and families has earned him public acclaim, including appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, and PBS. He regularly speaks on the topics of at-risk youth, trauma, and oppression.
Experiential Workshops
You’ll choose 4 immersive workshops from the list below to deepen your skills on specialist topics.
| Speaker | Session |
|---|---|
| SpeakerDr. Kenneth V. Hardy | Session Communities of Color Under Siege: Tactics for Treating Racial Trauma |
| SpeakerDeran Young | Session TBA |
| SpeakerCathy Hill | Session The Therapist's Use of Self in Relationship Therapy |
| SpeakerAnna Sterk | Session Living the Relational Grid: Application Across RLT Phases |
| SpeakerDamian White | Session Is Terry Real? Existential Dimensions of RLT |
| SpeakerRisa Ganel | Session From Silence to Agency: Empowering Latent Clients |
| SpeakerDr. Lori Davis | Session Sexual Grandiosity: How Both Partners Can Get One Up (And What To Do About It) |
| SpeakerDr. Priscilla Short | Session Turning Reactivity Into Leverage Using the TIMBBBBER Framework |
| SpeakerSolange Dufourq | Session Tapping Through Triggers: Helping Couples Return to Their Wise Adult |
| SpeakerDolma Beresford | Session Spontaneous, Responsive, Relational: Working Effectively With Desire Discrepancy in Couples |
| SpeakerZach Brittle | Session Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes: Relational Recovery in Principle & Practice |
| SpeakerJane Bliss Birk | Session Relational Life Leadership: Translating RLT Into the World of Work |
| SpeakerRilla Clark & Clare Mezes | Session Know Your Stance. Shift the Dance: Bringing the Relationship Grid to Life |
| SpeakerYa'Ron Brown & Stacee Brown | Session When the Therapist Is the Third |
| SpeakerKate Harris | Session Walking the Talk: An Experiential Workshop on Cultivating Detachment |
| SpeakerShelly MacDonald | Session Relational Parenting: Changing the Thumbprint Before the Ink Is Dry |
| Dr. Kenneth V. Hardy | Deran Young | Cathy Hill | Anna Sterk | Communities of Color Under Siege: Tactics for Treating Racial Trauma | To be announced | The Therapist's Use of Self in Relationship Therapy | Living the Relational Grid: Application Across RLT phases |
|---|
| Damian White | Risa Ganel | Dr. Lori Davis | Dr. Priscilla Short | Is Terry Real? Existential Dimensions of RLT | From Silence to Agency: Empowering Latent Clients | Sexual Grandiosity: How Both Partners Can Get One Up (And What To Do About It) | Turning Reactivity Into Leverage Using the TIMBBBBER Framework |
|---|
| Solange Dufourq | Dolma Beresford | Zach Brittle | Jane Bliss Birk | Tapping Through Triggers: Helping Couples Return to Their Wise Adult | Spontaneous, Responsive, Relational: Working Effectively With Desire Discrepancy in Couples | Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes: Relational Recovery in Principle & Practice | Relational Life Leadership: Translating RLT Into the World of Work |
|---|
| Rilla Clark & Clare Mezes | Ya’Ron Brown & Stacee Brown | Kate Harris | Shelly MacDonald | Know Your Stance. Shift the Dance: Bringing the Relationship Grid to Life | When the Therapist Is the Third | Walking the Talk: An Experiential Workshop on Cultivating Detachment | Relational Parenting: Changing the Thumbprint Before the Ink Is Dry |
|---|
Dr. Kenneth V. Hardy
Deran Young
Cathy Hill
Anna Sterk
Damian White
Risa Ganel
Dr. Lori Davis
Dr. Priscilla Short
Solange Dufourq
Dolma Beresford
Zach Brittle
Jane Bliss Birk
Rilla Clark & Clare Mezes
Ya’Ron Brown & Stacee Brown
Kate Harris
Shelly MacDonald
Experiential Workshops
Panel Discussion
Working With Masculinity
Panelists: TBC
Moderated by Julie Rudiger, LCSW and Senior RLT Faculty
Socials & Networking
This event is all about coming together as a community. Whether you’re attending solo or with colleagues, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect and belong.
Networking:
We will facilitate more structured networking early in the conference to help you get to know others in the community and begin building relationships. This event will be beneficial for anyone attending solo.
Social Evening:
We will host a more relaxed get-together where you can mingle with the community and newfound friends.
What You’ll Experience
- 3 days of in-person learning and community
- Keynotes from 5 defining voices in relational therapy
- 4 experiential workshops on specialist topics
- 1 panel discussion on the pressing topic of working with masculinity
- Dedicated networking and social events
- CE credit hours included
- Lifetime access to session recordings
The exact schedule will be announced closer to the date.
Get first choice on all workshops when they’re announced with your discounted early bird ticket
Join the Pre-Day Training:
An Introduction to Relational Life Therapy
With Desirae Ysasi, LPC-S, RLI Director of Training
🗓 Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 9am – 4pm
Discover the Powerful Principles Behind the RLT Method
If you’re new to the model or want to revisit the foundations ahead of the RLT Conference, we invite you to join our Director of Training, Desirae Ysasi, for a pre-day introductory training event.
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:
Meet Your Trainer
Desirae Ysasi
Desirae is the Director of Training and Certification for the Relational Life Institute.
She became a Certified RLT Couples Therapist in 2018, training directly with Terry Real, the founder of RLT. Today, she oversees the institute’s global training program, teaching therapists and coaches worldwide to use this powerful relational approach.
About The Venue
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. Both the conference and our pre-day intro training are held at the DoubleTree.
For your convenience, 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.
Room Sharing
If you’re interested in sharing with another conference attendee, we’ll facilitate connections via a WhatsApp group to make room-sharing easier. We’ll create the WhatsApp group six months ahead of the conference and invite you to join via email.
Alternative Accommodation
What Your Peers Said About Last Year’s RLT Conference
Secure Your Place
Choose from 3 ticket options: Attend only the 1-day introduction training event with Desirae Ysasi, the 3-day RLT Conference, or both.
Join An Introduction to RLT
with Desirae Ysasi ONLY
$195
Join The RLT Conference
3-day conference ONLY
$795
Join BOTH Events
Attend the RLT Conference AND train with Desirae
$990
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 conference?
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/
I’m new to RLT – can I still join?
Absolutely! This event is a fantastic opportunity to meet our community and immerse yourself in our work. We’ve added a special pre-day introductory training for anyone new to the model on Thursday, September 24 with our Director of Training Desirae Ysasi. This will give you the foundational knowledge you need to make the most of the full event.
How can I get the alumni discount?
All alumni members have received an email with a special discount code. Please check your inbox, and if you can’t find it, contact us at support@terryreal.com for assistance.
Not joined the Alumni Membership yet? Sign up here to become a member, then email support@terryreal.com to receive your 30% discount code for the conference.
Are Continuing Ed Credit Hours available?
Yes – we will have Continuing Ed Credit Hours available for those who attend all three days in full. We will confirm the exact number available soon.
Will the event be livestreamed?
To maximize the benefits of being together in person, there will not be a livestream ticket option available.
Do I need to arrange my own accommodation?
Yes – we will reserve a number of rooms at the DoubleTree Hilton Montreal, but all guests pay for their own accommodation. Once we have rooms finalized, we’ll email you the link to book your room.
Alternatively, other hotels and accommodation options are available nearby.
Join us in Montreal in September 2026 to learn, grow, and connect with fellow practitioners who share your passion for creating a deeper, more connected world.
