The Mind Body Therapy Collective invites you to our Embodied Health Mini-Retreat II on June 14!

Healing Approaches Explained

Relational Life Therapy (RLT)

What is Relational Life Therapy? Developed by bestselling author and family therapist Terry Real, RLT combines psychotherapy, family systems, feminist therapy, trauma work, and neurobiology to create a highly effective method that helps even the most distant or volatile couples reconnect.

By homing in on the specific pattern or “dance” that relationships get stuck in, we can build awareness and create skills to feel more deeply connected to others.

Relational Life Therapy (RLT) unfolds in three distinct phases designed to help clients build the meaningful, connected relationships they long for.

Wake Up In the first phase, we lovingly but directly confront the unhealthy behaviors that are harming the relationship. Clients begin to see the repeating patterns they’re stuck in—patterns that keep them disconnected—so they can finally break free from them.

Healing Trauma Once those behaviors are understood, we turn to the relational wounds that drive them. Through deep inner‑child work, conducted with both partners present, clients experience corrective emotional moments where trust, empathy, and compassion can grow.

Lifelong Skills In the final phase, clients learn the practical, moment‑to‑moment skills that sustain intimacy over time. From negotiating and apologizing to speaking up with love, they leave equipped to navigate conflict and nurture connection throughout their lives.

Additional Resources

For more information about Relational Life Therapy, the following resources are helpful:

  • Visit the Relational Life Institute website.
  • Recommended reading to understand RLT more deeply would include Terry Real’s most recent book US: Getting Past You & Me to Build a More Loving Relationship.

Mind Body Therapy Collective Practitioners

Christine Onorati, LCSW

I’m a relationship therapist and coach, helping couples and individuals understand what behaviors get in the way of connecting with others. Using the foundations of Relational Life Therapy, I work with clients to break unhelpful patterns and build skills to feel closer. These skills are relevant to relationships at any stage, whether you are just starting out or have been together for years.