Amy Makice, Author at Bloomington Center for Connection

A picture of a roll of paper where people have drawn rainbows and pride slogans

Supporting Transgender Youth

Navigating shame and cultural barriers with Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) In a society where rigid gender norms and misinformation about trans identities persist, families often face cultural pressure that can lead to feelings of shame or uncertainty about their role. Yet, for trans and gender non-conforming youth, family acceptance is crucial to mental health and well-being. Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT) provides families with a pathway to move beyond cultural barriers, creating supportive and affirming relationships with trans […]

Disruptive Empathy

What a week. A platform that endangers transgender youth and adults, decimates reproductive freedom, and glorifies violence has been elevated to leadership in all branches of our federal government. Where do we even start (other pragmatic preparations to keep our loved ones safe)? How we navigate this period isn’t about reaching agreement; it isn’t even about understanding and connection. (And you know how much I love that stuff!) Maureen Walker, a leader in Relational-Cultural Theory, […]

A picture of two playing cards from our RCT Toybox, one with the words Mutuality is the shared experience of affecting one another. It is a joining based on all participants being open to the relationship. Mutuality requires emotional availability and willingness to change. It differs from reciprocity, which is a transactional expectation. The other card has a silhouette of a child and an adult reaching for each other

The Practice Of Mutuality

Relational-Cultural Theory’s take on mutuality is what we need right now. The overwhelm of politics makes it easy to disconnect—not only from others but from the broader currents of culture that shape our lives. Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), which emphasizes that people grow through and toward connection, suggests a powerful antidote: mutuality. Traditionally, RCT applies mutuality to relationships between people, where each individual is moved by and moves the other. But what if we expand the […]

An image of two hexagon cards, one with a collage of eyes and a nose, and the other with the text of a definition of Central Relational Paradox on it.

The Central Relational Paradox

Relational-Cultural Therapy combats the central relational paradox by creating relationships where individuals can bring their full selves into connection, fostering healing through mutual empathy and authenticity.

One True Thing

One True Thing offers a way to navigate challenging conversations and disagreements without sacrificing integrity, shutting down, or lashing out.

Mindful Flow in RCT

Therapeutic Flow in RCT: a mindful approach to healing Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) views therapy as a complex flow that emphasizes presence over manualized interventions. Therapy involves establishing a safe relationship where the client feels a sense of supported vulnerability. The beginning sessions involve affirming the client’s experience and coping strategies so far. We honor Strategies of Disconnection/Strategies of Survival that have helped our clients get this far. Demystifying Therapy RCT emphasizes a power-with approach to […]

Relational-Cultural Therapy: Getting Started

Our upcoming free RCT Learning Circle will be announced at our Relational Summit in September. For more information, click here! Join us for an Relational-Cultural Therapy training session covering relational assessment, initial sessions, and consultation calls. We assess current and past relational patterns and skills, barriers to connection, and personal and/or cultural trauma, while creating a safe place for our relationship to grow. RCT seeks to initiate healing through growth-fostering relationships. As clinicians, we need […]

A picture of children's drawings including the phrase "unicorns rule the world"

Constructing RCT

Just as RCT challenges the cultural imperatives of individuation that isolate marginalized people, it challenges us to expand our understanding of human connection beyond the gender binary.