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RLT Relationship Skills Bootcamps
Relational Life Foundation is proud to bring the work of renowned therapist and teacher Terry Real, Founder of Relational Life Therapy, to underserved communities across the country at an affordable, sliding scale rate. This two day, powerfully transformative RLT Relationship Skills Workshop provides individuals of all identities, regardless of financial means, with access to the skills and the tools needed to create more loving, connected relationships. This workshop is taught by Certified RLT Therapists around the country, both virtually and in-person. Bringing this workshop to underserved populations is part of our mission to build a space where individuals from all backgrounds feel a deep sense of belonging and are empowered to engage in relational growth. Over the course of 2023, in partnership with Deran Young, founder of Black Therapists Rock, the entire RLT leadership team has embarked on diversity training to ensure the communities we serve experience a culture of equity, inclusivity and belonging. |
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Why do we offer RLT Relationship Skills Bootcamps?
Relational Life Therapy (RLT) is a revolutionary approach to relationships, equipping people with the powerful relational skills they need to make love work and cultivate authentic connections — to themselves, to each other, and to our planet as a whole. We are confident that applying the Relational Life skills that Terry Real has cultivated over four decades to the complex challenges of race relations, marginalization and discrimination will make valuable contributions to navigating the controversial and emotionally charged issues within the present cultural landscape. As the non-profit wing of Relational Life Institute, we offer Terry Real’s Essential Skills Bootcamp at an intentionally affordable rate specifically for marginalized communities. All individuals and couples are welcome, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion, culture, age, relationship configuration and financial means. |
The Evolution of RLF-Sponsored Bootcamps
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Our Inaugural Bootcamp
Denver, Colorado: April 4-5, 2023 Certified RLT Practitioners Dee Marcotte, LPC, and Julie Rudiger, LCSW, led this very first group of 22 individuals in a collaborative effort toward interpersonal healing and developing healthy relationship skills.
After a heartfelt two days, deep connections were felt and the participants were asking when they could all meet again to reconnect! Through the group’s participation and feedback, we embarked on a mission to further embrace diversity by turning our attention toward creating a culture of belonging. We learned that it would be helpful to reframe further aspects of our materials to account for cross-cultural contexts and evolving relationship constructs, which launched us into making alterations in the content for the next workshop. A very enlightening and successful start to an ongoing program for Relational Life Foundation! |
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Participant Testimonials:
"It's really nice to have a space reinforcing that I should have compassion for myself." - Janelle “My partner and I both came out of relationships and families with poor communication skills. This course helped give us the tools needed to discuss openly and not react.” -Robin |
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Our October RLT Relationship Skills Bootcamp was a collaboration with our partner Deran Young, founder of Black Therapists Rock (BTR). The workshop was a unique offering designed specifically for members of BTR. Here, certified RLT Practitioners Desirae Ysasi, LPC, and Anna Sterk, MS LMFT, put our diversity and inclusion learnings into action to better identify with the culture we're working with. Adaptations were made to the material to meet and welcome their version of reality, acknowledge power and privilege within the system, and to co-create a brave space where we lean in toward meaningful, but sometimes difficult conversations! This group of 20 participants and 5 leaders dove into understanding cultural and relational trauma, applied RLT skills, and found ourselves on the other side of these two days as connected and compassionate individuals, facing the world in a more relational way.
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It was a very powerful weekend among an audience of Black therapists, who came to do their own personal work, as well as to gain a deeper understanding of RLT and the benefits of applying the method to their practice.
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Participant Testimonials:
"I began the process to heal my inner child and brought closure to the past in a way that allowed me to stand firm as the woman I am today." -Janorah "This workshop helped me learn more about myself regarding relationships and what may be needed to ensure my clients become the best versions of themselves while in a relationship." -Britani Harrison, MSW |
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"This weekend was nothing short of amazing! Relational Life Therapy Foundation in partnership with Black Therapists Rock held an info-packed conference over the weekend to show therapists how to teach couples winning strategies for their relationship. I had the pleasure of meeting Deran Young, the founder of BTR and Amy Gordon, the Director of Community Engagement from RLTC where we had some AWESOME conversations about moving the ball forward with relationship therapy. After decades in this field, ya girl can still learn a thing or two. I'm already putting into practice what I've learned and can't wait to share some exciting news with you all soon!"
-Britani Harrison, MSW (Facebook Post) |
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Our Third Bootcamp
Denver, CO, November 4-5, 2023 Once again, certified RLT Practitioners Dee Marcotte, LPC, and Julie Rudiger, LCSW, led our second Denver based Bootcamp of 2023. Building upon the feedback and learnings gained at both of our previous events, the presentation materials were honed and adapted to create a Culture of Belonging among the 23 participants. Some of the highlights focused on embracing vulnerability, practicing empathy, engaging in active listening, and building trust. This, combined with deep learning and development of RLT skills, allowed participants to examine how they show up in their own relationships and apply the necessary skills needed to build and strengthen them. In an effort to broaden RLT’s reach and expose a wider range of therapists to the model, RLF partnered with Inner Compass Counseling and Coaching of Denver to provide their interns with affordable access to this powerful material and gain an introduction to the benefits of adding RLT to their practice. |
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Participant Testimonials:
"This workshop teaches how to communicate on a new level- not just with a partner."
-Anonymous
"I had no idea what to expect and honestly was attending for my wife. I'm leaving knowing not just myself but my partner better. I really appreciate the communication skills we have learned and cannot wait to implement in our lives."
-Anonymous
"The RLT training concept is a powerful thing. It is transforming and provides a way to quit the repetitive patterns that have affected my personal relationships for decades."
-Anonymous
"This workshop teaches how to communicate on a new level- not just with a partner."
-Anonymous
"I had no idea what to expect and honestly was attending for my wife. I'm leaving knowing not just myself but my partner better. I really appreciate the communication skills we have learned and cannot wait to implement in our lives."
-Anonymous
"The RLT training concept is a powerful thing. It is transforming and provides a way to quit the repetitive patterns that have affected my personal relationships for decades."
-Anonymous
Our fourth Bootcamp took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota: January 19-20, 2024
Taught by: Certified RLT Practitioners Anna Sterk, MS LMFT and Sarah Barrett, MSW, LICSW
We've since supported Bootcamps in San Antonio, TX and Vancouver, Canada and are looking forward to bringing more of these phenomenally transformative workshops to additional communities!
Taught by: Certified RLT Practitioners Anna Sterk, MS LMFT and Sarah Barrett, MSW, LICSW
We've since supported Bootcamps in San Antonio, TX and Vancouver, Canada and are looking forward to bringing more of these phenomenally transformative workshops to additional communities!
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