Relational Life Foundation: Our Vision Statement

We empower individuals of all genders and identities to live more connected lives. This includes cultivating authentic connections with ourselves, our loved ones, society, diverse cultures, the human spirit, and with the planet as a whole.

Through Relational Life Therapy, a therapeutic modality created by Terry Real that challenges patriarchy and all forms of discrimination, we strive to share wisdom and practical tools for building and nurturing meaningful connections. 

While the importance of connection is a highly emphasized theme in our current culture, there is precious little guidance on how to actually achieve it. In alliance with Relational Life Institute, we offer a relational technology that provides the knowledge and skills necessary for living truly connected lives and fostering thriving relationships.

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. In doing so, we create a form of mutual reciprocity where greater diversity is actively embraced, simultaneously leveraging our relational expertise to address these important matters.

Relational Life Foundation offers free and low-cost relationship workshops, programs and services to underprivileged communities. We aspire to build a space where individuals from all backgrounds feel a deep sense of belonging and are empowered to engage in relational growth.
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Our work is built upon the following three pillars:

Connection & Contribution

We believe everyone deserves access to relational tools and healing, and that RLT has the potential to change the world. Expanding RLT’s reach allows numerous opportunities for a host of new and uncharted audiences to benefit from this powerful therapeutic modality. We do so by:

• Disseminating Relationship Skills across a Wide Range of Communities by equipping people with the tools necessary to foster interpersonal satisfaction and resilience, ultimately contributing to the creation of sustainable and thriving communities.
  
• Supporting marginalized and under-resourced practitioners through our Scholarship Program to train as RLT therapists– broadening and diversifying the network of RLT practitioners and faculty.​
  
• Offering Low Cost Programs and Services affording all individuals to participate and gain relational skills, regardless of their financial capacity. 
  

Building a Culture of Belonging

Research consistently demonstrates the numerous benefits individuals experience when they cultivate meaningful relationships and forge connections within their communities. Just recently, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, identified loneliness as the foremost health concern in America, calling attention to the importance of social connection for individual health, and conversely the significant consequences when social connection is lacking. We are responding by: 

• Addressing Issues of Diversity and Inclusion within the Relational Life Institute and integrating learnings into the curriculum offered to RLT Therapists. Our goal is for every RLT Therapist to possess the understanding and skills necessary to navigate these important domains, cultivating a culture of understanding and inclusiveness within the RLT community and everyone touched by it.
• Embracing New Voices and Perspectives as they shape the evolving identity of the RLT community, ensuring that it is representative of its members. 
• Transforming the Workplace Culture into one that encourages team members’ purpose and sense of connectedness. All RLT leadership and faculty are receiving extensive DEIB training and learning to cultivate a thoughtful and welcoming environment for all. ​

Research & Validation

Our organization is dedicated to validating the effectiveness of the Relational Life Therapy (RLT) model through rigorous research. By conducting studies and gathering evidence we aim to establish RLT as a credible and evidence-based approach. The successful validation of RLT will have far-reaching implications for our mission, such as:

• Maximizing the functionality of RLT by allowing more individuals to discover and benefit from this transformative work, as being deemed Evidence-Based is crucial for incorporation into university programs. 
  
• Enhancing our Fundraising Initiatives by making us eligible for the support of grants and program funding which require therapeutic models to be evidence based.
  
• Providing Free and Low-Cost Therapy to under-resourced couples who participate in our research studies, further enhancing our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). By leveraging research as a means of impact, we strive to advance DEIB efforts and contribute to positive change in our communities.
  

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References
These references provide empirical evidence and theoretical insights into the benefits of cultivating meaningful relationships and forging connections within communities. They highlight the positive impact of social relationships on health, well-being, and resilience.

Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227-237. doi:10.1177/1745691614568352

This meta-analytic review highlights the link between social relationships and mortality. The study emphasizes the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships and social connections as a protective factor against premature mortality.

Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: A flashpoint for health policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(Suppl), S54-S66. doi:10.1177/0022146510383501

This article explores the role of social relationships in shaping health outcomes. It discusses the health benefits of strong social ties, including lower levels of stress, improved mental health, and enhanced access to healthcare resources.

House, J. S., Landis, K. R., & Umberson, D. (1988). Social relationships and health. Science, 241(4865), 540-545. doi:10.1126/science.3399889
This seminal study examines the impact of social relationships on health. It discusses how social support, social integration, and social participation contribute to better physical and mental health outcomes.

Ozbay, F., Johnson, D. C., Dimoulas, E., Morgan III, C. A., Charney, D., & Southwick, S. (2007). Social support and resilience to stress: From neurobiology to clinical practice. Psychiatry, 4(5), 35-40.
This review paper explores the role of social support in promoting resilience to stress. It highlights how social relationships and support networks can mitigate the negative impact of stress and contribute to psychological well-being.

U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, identifies loneliness as an epidemic:
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/03/new-surgeon-general-advisory-raises-alarm-about-devastating-impact-epidemic-loneliness-isolation-united-states.html