Make sense of what happens between sessions
Clients leave your office and return to the same arguments at home. Explore a relational perspective on the struggles they bring back to you.
October 6 · Live training starts in
—days
—hours
—minutes
—seconds
FREE 6-HOUR LIVE ONLINE TRAINING · OCTOBER 6
Want to Work with Couples?
Discover the RLT Framework for Deep, Lasting Change in Relationships.
Join Terry Real for a free, six-hour live online training introducing Relational Life Therapy—the approach he developed through decades of couples work.
You help clients one-to-one. See what changes when both partners are in the room—and whether this work could be your next step.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 · Live on Zoom
10 a.m.–4 p.m. ET | 3–9 p.m. UK (BST)
TERRY REAL · AS SEEN IN
Join Terry live—for free
Tuesday, October 6, 202610 a.m.–4 p.m. ET3–9 p.m. UK (BST) · Live on Zoom
For the first time, RLI is offering a six-hour live online training for free.
YOUR TEACHER
Terry Real
40+ years
of work with couples
Creator of RLT
Relational Life Therapy
New York Times
bestselling author of Us
ON TERRY AND HIS WORK
“One of the most sought after couples therapists in the world.”
Mel Robbins · Host of The Mel Robbins Podcast
A NEW PERSPECTIVE FOR YOUR PRACTICE
Your clients already bring their relationships into the room.
See what working with two people involves
How do you work with competing needs and a conflict unfolding in front of you? Watch Terry work with both partners in recorded clinical demonstrations.
Make an informed next step for your practice
Curious about couples work, but unsure where to begin? Get a substantial first look at RLT before deciding whether to pursue further training.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
A map through relationship work.
RLT connects three parts of relationship work: recognizing what needs to change, understanding the experiences that shaped a person’s reactions, and learning how to relate differently. Terry will introduce each part and show recorded clinical examples of how they fit together.
FIRST, THE FOUNDATION
Why relationships belong at the center of the work.
RLT starts with the idea that helping people improve their relationships can change their lives. Terry will introduce how patriarchy and individualism shape the ways we relate—and what it means to bring a relational approach into therapy.
PHASE I · WAKING UP THE CLIENT
01
Name the pattern.
Help both partners see what keeps happening.
Learn how RLT helps people recognize the automatic response they bring into a relationship and the effect it has on the person beside them. The purpose is to make room for responsibility without treating either person as the problem.
Teaching + a recorded clinical demonstration
PHASE II · TRAUMA WORK
02
Address the wounds.
Work with the hurt beneath the pattern.
See how RLT connects a present reaction to the older experience that shaped it. Explore how Terry works with earlier relational wounds, bringing the partner into the healing work.
Teaching + a recorded clinical demonstration
PHASE III · SKILL BUILDING
03
Build new skills.
Equip couples to relate differently.
Explore how RLT turns insight into lived relationship: asking for what you need, listening when a partner is hurt, taking responsibility, and repairing connection.
Teaching + a recorded clinical demonstration
Creator of Relational Life Therapy
IDEAS YOU CAN CONNECT TO YOUR WORK
What does this look like
in a difficult session?
When the argument takes over.
Explore how to help clients notice their reactivity and pause before repeating the same fight.
In RLT: relational mindfulness.
When an old hurt drives today’s reaction.
See how Terry distinguishes an old protective response from the choices a person can make now.
In RLT: the Adaptive Child and Wise Adult.
When speaking up turns into another battle.
Discover an approach to helping clients stand up for themselves while staying connected to their partner.
In RLT: relational empowerment.
Relational mindfulness
Recognizing reactivity and pausing before it takes over.
Wise Adult & Adaptive Child
Distinguishing a present-day choice from an old protective response.
Relational empowerment
Standing up for yourself while staying connected to your partner.
Terry will also introduce the cultural context of RLT: how patriarchy and individualism shape our relationships. This is an introduction to the approach, with room to consider what it could add to your practice.
THE PRACTITIONER PERSPECTIVE
Practitioners who found a next direction in RLT
Previous participants describe what they found in RLT—and the further training they chose to pursue.
These practitioners describe previous RLT programs—not this upcoming free event.
Karen Ellis Croley
Registered Psychotherapist
RLT Level 1 participant
“After attending Terry Real’s one-day introduction to RLT, I was intrigued enough to sign up for the full Level 1 training.”
Megan Secrest
RLT Decoded
“I used to abhor seeing couples — now I truly enjoy it, and I’m pursuing certification in this methodology.”
Aleksandra M.
Relationship and sexuality coach
RLT Certification
“I can say now — without hesitation — that it was one of the best professional decisions I ever made. The practicums were especially transformative.”
Feeling more at ease with both partners
“The very day I finished my last Level 1 class, I walked into a couples session feeling anxious, but I named what I was observing the way Terry models it, and my clients sighed in relief — they felt truly heard and seen. The atmosphere in the room relaxed, my own anxiety eased, and both partners felt more comfortable with me and with each other.”
Karen Ellis Croley · Registered Psychotherapist · RLT Level 1
Fresh value after 15 years in practice
“I’ve been practicing for 15 years and found it so affirming to hear power differentials addressed in a way that calls both parties in, rather than casting one out.”
Cheli Lange · RLT Level 1
Connecting learning and practice
“The personal stories and examples of client interactions solidify the foundational practices and have already assisted me in helping my clients.”
Susan Milner · RLT Level 1
New energy for the work
“I never thought I could enjoy training in couples work this much but I am completely overwhelmed and full of admiration for the degree of passion and energy Terry Real has for this work.”
Flo Atkins · RLT Level 1
Enjoying couples work again
“I used to abhor seeing couples — now I truly enjoy it, and I’m pursuing certification in this methodology.”
Megan Secrest · RLT Decoded
For the couples you’re thinking about.
ON TERRY AND HIS WORK
“When I need advice, I call Terry Real. His decades of clinical experience, research, and wisdom are invaluable to my patients, colleagues, and friends.”
Esther Perel Psychotherapist and bestselling author
HOW YOU’LL LEARN
Live teaching. Demonstrations.
Live Q&A.
Learn directly from Terry, watch RLT in recorded sessions with real couples, and bring your questions to the live Q&A.
Your day with Terry
Tuesday, October 6 · 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ET · 3–9 p.m. UK (BST)
TO BEGIN
Introduction to RLT
Terry’s background, the beliefs behind relational therapy, and how patriarchy and individualism shape relationships.
THEN, THROUGH EACH OF THE THREE PHASES
PHASE I
Waking up the client
- Live teaching
- Couples demonstration
- Live Q&A*
PHASE II
Trauma work
- Live teaching
- Couples demonstration
- Live Q&A*
PHASE III
Skill building
- Live teaching
- Couples demonstration
- Live Q&A*
Demonstrations are recorded. Terry may show the session before or after teaching. *Phase-specific Q&A as time allows.
TO FINISH
A longer live Q&A with Terry
Bring questions from your practice. Submit them through the chat during the day.
BREAKS INCLUDED
Lunch + shorter breaks
Time to step away and recharge within the six-hour event. Exact break times will be confirmed.
You’ll receive the slides in a workbook format before the training, ready for your notes.
A look at the day
OPENING
The relational perspective
Terry introduces his background and the cultural forces that shape our relationships.
PHASE I
Waking Up the Client
Teaching and a recorded clinical demonstration.
PHASE II
Trauma Work
Teaching and a recorded clinical demonstration.
PHASE III
Skill Building
Teaching and a recorded clinical demonstration.
CLOSING
Live Q&A
Questions from the practitioners attending live.
TIME TO LEARN. ROOM TO PAUSE.
Lunch and shorter breaks included
Each phase pairs teaching with a demonstration. Terry may show the work first or teach first. Phase-specific Q&A will be included where time allows, with a longer Q&A at the end.
The six-hour event includes lunch and shorter breaks. Exact break times will be confirmed before the event.
Bring your questions.
We’ll bring the workbook.
You’ll receive the slides in a workbook format before the training, ready for your notes. Submit questions through the chat.
Teaching, observation and discussion—no participant roleplays or exercises.
Tuesday, October 6 · 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ET · 3–9 p.m. UK (BST) · Live on Zoom
A FEW PRACTICAL DETAILS
Your questions, answered
Who is this training for?
Therapists, professional coaches and other mental-health professionals interested in relationship work. If you mainly work with individuals and are considering couples work, you are welcome. This is introductory education, not certification or a qualification to begin couples practice; apply any learning within your professional scope and training.
Do I need couples experience or previous RLT training?
No. Terry will introduce the approach from the beginning. You can come to understand the method, consider its relevance to your individual work, and explore whether you want to pursue further couples training.
What is included for free?
The live online training with Terry, the demonstration clips shown during the event, live Q&A and the workbook-format slides sent beforehand. Free registration does not include a replay or online-course access.
Will there be recordings?
Yes, recordings are available through the optional $47 upgrade. Register for free and you’ll be taken straight to the upgrade page. If you choose it, the training recordings will be added to your course within 48 hours after the event, with lifetime access. Recordings are not included with free registration.
Can I receive continuing education credits?
Five CE credits are available to eligible U.S. therapists through the optional $47 upgrade. Register for free and you’ll be taken straight to the upgrade page. You must meet the live-attendance requirements and complete the CE evaluation; there is no exam. Check the eligibility details there for your profession and licensing requirements before purchasing.
When and where does it take place?
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern Time (3–9 p.m. UK time, BST), live online on Zoom. Your registration confirmation email will include your Zoom link and calendar information. The training ends at 4 p.m. ET (9 p.m. UK time).
Will there be a lunch break?
Yes. Lunch and shorter breaks are included. The detailed schedule will be confirmed before the event.
Can I ask Terry questions?
Yes. Submit questions through the chat for the team to bring to Terry. There will be a longer closing Q&A, with additional phase-specific questions where time allows. We may not be able to get to every question.
Register for a serious first look
at relationship work.
Your clients already bring their relationships into individual sessions. Spend six hours with Terry Real seeing how he works with those relationships directly. Come away with a clearer picture of the approach—and whether you want to develop this direction in your own practice.
Free live online training · Tuesday, October 6, 2026
10 a.m.–4 p.m. ET · 3–9 p.m. UK (BST)
Relational Life Institute · Free live online training with Terry Real
© 2026 Relational Life Institute