a picture with a bunch of question marks

Essentially RCT

These essentialist beliefs not only oversimplify gender but create a social ladder where some are seen as ‘more correct’ or ‘normal’ than others, impacting how we connect with each other. RCT thrives in complexity and challenges. It encourages us to explore tough concepts and dismantle social hierarchies, including those born from essentialist viewpoints.

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Hand drawn rainbows and hearts with text Unicorns Rule the World, representing Relational Cultural Theory's view on gender

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.

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An image of a brain with colorful arrows going in it; decorative

CARE Assessment

The CARE assessment, by Dr. Amy Banks, is a practical way to apply Relational-Cultural Therapy to your life by answering 20 short questions.

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Two cards next to each other, one with a bird cradling a cracking egg, and the other with Supported Vulnerability, followed by Vulnerability increases with stress, as does the need for connection. Supported Vulnerability is the feeling that an authentic self-representation will be held with caring, compassion, and mutuality. This security heightens with dependability, respect, care, and empathic listening.

Supported Vulnerability

Supported Vulnerability is a foundational concept in RCT. It refers to the conditions that allow emotional risks within a relationship, trusting the other person to respond with empathy and acceptance.

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Fighting Time

Fighting Time

Amy Banks, MD, was 17 when her father was murdered while visiting NOLA for a conference– Isaac Knapper was 16 when he was wrongfully arrested and quickly convicted of the murder. They’ve come together to share their journey.

The story Amy and Isaac bring is accessible to a wide range of people who are just beginning to explore systemic issues with our justice system. Maureen Walker will be offering cultural context to bring us more deeply into Amy and Isaac’s story, and Luci Englert McCean is emceeing the evening.

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2022-2023 Cadre on Caring

The Relational Cadre is a diverse group of humans who are invited to explore aspects of a central theme through the lens of Relational Cultural Theory (RCT). Using an unconference format,...

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A card reading Mutuality is the experience of affecting one another. This requires emotional availability, an openness to influence and change. Non-mutual relationships abstruct growth of all people, but particularly the development of subordinate or marginalized groups.

Mutual Meltdowns

We are tired. We need healing. It’s likely we’ve lost people, dreams, cherished ways of being, and not been held in our grief because we were all too busy surviving. Slow down. It’s impossible to rush wellness. Lean into each other. Allow ourselves to mourn together, to mutually hold each other. Trust that allowing mutuality leads to healing. We are in collective pain, and the antidote is messy, authentic, mutuality.

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I see you

Standing just far enough away that your toddlers feels independent, just close enough to catch them should they tumble off the playset. Sitting quietly next to your weeping child. Researching...

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