The work we do in this retreat is a process pioneered over 40+ years by renowned couples' therapist Terrence Real.  He calls it Relational Life Therapy (RLT) but also trains coaches, including me, in this powerful, efficient methodology. 

Building deeper, more intimate connections with ourselves and others is at the heart of RLT. This singular, integrative therapy can profoundly and permanently transform individuals by helping them forge fiercely intimate connections in their relationships.

RLT educates as much as it heals to equip people with the lifelong tools to live fully-connected, fearlessly authentic lives.

This process goes against many of the assumptions and "rules" of traditional therapy to go deep quickly and help clients make rapid and significant changes. As it says on the RLT website, "RLT therapists are real, open, and honest. We set the bar high for our clients. We expect rapid, dramatic change, and to a remarkable degree, we get it."

Terry says, "There’s a new way we can relate: changing how we see ourselves in relation to our partner. It involves changing some fundamental aspects of our identity, even changing how we think of ourselves to begin with, but doing this is vital to creating meaningful connections with others."

How the RLT Relational Recovery Process Works:

Healing Relationships Swiftly and Permanently

I use a set of powerful diagnostic and transformative tools to help people to first reconnect to themselves—their feelings, needs, and desires—so they can  then build a stronger, more intimate connection with their partner.

Step 1: Waking Up

I use loving clarity to help you awaken to seeing your negative behaviors and their cost, in a direct but compassionate way. You’ll come to trust me not as a non-confrontational “safe” space but as someone who’s TRULY trustworthy because I can show you exactly what you do that doesn’t work.  I’ll accompany each of you as you face the difficult truths about how you contribute to the patterns that harm your relationships - with your partner and beyond.

Step 2: Healing & Transformation

We quickly identify the root of negative behaviors, understand them, and overcome them. You’ll grow closer because you’ll each do deep personal work with your partner witnessing.  This gives you both more empathy and the clarity to stop generational patterns of pain and numbness.  You’ll gain depth as individuals and closeness as a couple.

Step 3: Relational Skills For Life

You’ll learn and practice powerful tools that will equip each of you to continue building authentic, healthy relationships long after your time with me is over, which is why the changes will last and deepen, rather than wearing off.  Sometimes, we’re able to start this step during the intensive.  Regardless of how much skill-building you do during the intensive, follow-up sessions will focus on establishing these skills as your new default patterns of relating.  You will replace the old patterns we uncovered and released during the intensive with new skills that will facilitate full-respect living.

This intensive can take place face-to-face in beautiful Seattle or from the comfort and privacy of your own space - or a hotel or rental home in your area - via Zoom. In some instances, I can join you in-person at another location of your choosing, if you cover the costs of my time and travel.

The process works surprisingly well virtually, but you will need to give yourselves space after our sessions, rather than jumping right back into work or family.

The details on this experience:

• This intensive is a private custom retreat for you and your partner, facilitated by Michele

• The experience will take place over 3-4 days in Seattle or a mutually agreed upon location (with additional investment to cover my travel)

• With a clear agreement to help you “retreat” and focus, this experience can also be guided virtually via Zoom

• You will receive a pre-retreat package of sensual and pragmatic materials to enrich your retreat experience and to help you deepen your skills afterward

• Following your retreat, you'll receive monthly skill-building trainings and voice check-ins for 6 months to help you create Legacy Love

• The investment is $5,597 per couple (or individual, if you engage in this work on your own).