Relational Life Therapy (RLT) is a dynamic approach to couples and individual therapy developed by Terry Real. It focuses on helping people create more honest, balanced, and fulfilling relationships by addressing both the patterns we bring from our family history and the ways we interact with others in the present. RLT emphasizes direct, compassionate feedback and encourages individuals to take responsibility for their role in relationship struggles while also learning how to ask for what they need.
In RLT, the therapist works actively with clients to uncover the underlying beliefs and behaviors that may be harming connection. Rather than staying in blame or defensiveness, partners learn to communicate with vulnerability, express empathy, and break free from cycles of disconnection. Sessions often highlight the importance of both personal accountability and relational repair, giving couples practical tools to shift longstanding dynamics and move toward greater intimacy and respect.
Relational Life Therapy can be especially helpful for couples who find themselves stuck in recurring conflicts, experiencing emotional distance, or struggling with issues of power and control in their relationship. It can also benefit individuals who want to better understand their relational patterns and build healthier connections moving forward. By combining insight with practical change, RLT empowers people to transform not only their partnerships, but also the way they relate to others in every area of life.
