Research Advances

6/20/2024

We are conducting three key studies aimed at establishing Relational Life Therapy (RLT) as an evidence-based treatment recognized by the APA. We now have a strong cohort of rigorously trained RLT therapists ready to demonstrate significant improvements in relationship satisfaction.

1. COUPLES THERAPY OUTCOME STUDY

In order to be considered an evidence-based treatment by the APA we need two published therapy outcome studies showing that RLT makes a significant difference on measures of relationship satisfaction.

Our first step in preparing for these studies was to make sure we had rigorously trained RLT therapists. We now have enough therapists graduating from the RLT training program to be confident that we will be able to demonstrate significant improvement in couple functioning as a direct result of RLT interventions! Therapists participating in the study receive benefits such as access to future training and supervision with other participants. Thus, the research has a bonus effect of helping RLT therapists remain engaged with a community of like-minded peers.

Therapy outcome studies normally use a control group (a group of couples who receive either no intervention, or a different intervention) in order to prove that the method they are studying is superior. Because EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples) has been so extensively studied we plan to use their results as our comparison group. This sets a very high bar for RLT, and we fully expect to exceed it!

2. THERAPIST TRAINING OUTCOME STUDY

There is considerable interest in academia in developing more effective training for therapists. As with therapy outcome, EFT has the greatest number of published studies on therapist training, and once again they will serve as our comparison group. We believe that the training program offered by Relational Life Institute (RLI) is superior to any entry level training offered to couple therapists, and anticipate substantial interest in our methods, once they are published.

Additionally, this research will help us identify which aspects of the training are most effective, and how long the results are maintained. RLI is proud of the program they’ve developed, and as with anything, there is always room for improvement! Our research has the potential to help their training become even stronger.

3. RLT RELATIONSHIP GRID STUDY

Over 1,000 articles in the PsycInfo database are publications regarding the process of mapping people’s behavior on two orthogonal dimensions (often referred to as Agency and Affiliation). While the assessment methods studied have shown utility for various purposes, they all seem to fall a little short when it comes to clinical utility.

Without awareness of this research, Terry Real developed a method of assessment on two orthogonal dimensions (Self-Esteem and Boundaries,) that shows huge promise for clinical interventions.

Our study will lay the groundwork for rationalizing the use of the Relationship Grid in therapy by establishing the required parameters of validity and reliability, and comparing the utility of the measure against existing ones. Because the Relationship Grid is one of the major lenses used in RLT, proof of its validity and reliability will add significantly to the evidence base of RLT.

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