Research

Advancing the Science of Relational Health

Relational Life Foundation is committed to rigorous, measurable research that validates Relational Life Therapy (RLT) and advances relational health as an evidence-based public good.

Why Research Matters

Relational health shapes family stability, mental health outcomes, and community wellbeing. Yet many relational interventions lack the rigorous outcome data required for evidence-based designation.

Our research initiatives aim to:

Measure outcomes in communication, accountability, and conflict repair
Identify what works, for whom, and under what conditions
Expand access to evidence based relational interventions
Establish relational health as essential to long term family resilience and community stability

What Evidence-Based Status Means

To be recognized as an evidence-based treatment, a model must demonstrate measurable improvement in targeted behaviors and show that those improvements are directly attributable to the intervention.

For Relational Life Therapy, this means conducting multiple therapy outcome studies that demonstrate significant improvement in relationship functioning, conflict repair, and accountability.

Achieving this designation creates structural leverage for:

Our research team collects and analyzes data from practitioners and participants using validated survey instruments, structured interviews, and outcome measures aligned with American Psychological Association guidelines.

All studies are reviewed by an independent Institutional Review Board to ensure ethical rigor and participant protection. Our methodology prioritizes measurable behavioral change, cultural responsiveness, and real world applicability.

We examine:

Current Research Projects

Relationship Grid Study

Examining the psychometric properties and clinical utility of the RLT Relationship Grid and its overlap with established interpersonal assessment frameworks.

Couples Therapy Outcome Study

Measuring improvements in relational functioning and accountability across the course of therapy to establish empirical validation.

Our Research Team

Our research is led by experienced clinicians and scholars committed to methodological rigor, equity, and real world applicability. Our team brings expertise in clinical psychology, social work, public health, and advanced statistical analysis.