Understanding and practicing Relational-Cultural theory

In the last decade, modern neuroscience has validated almost all of the early tenets of Relational-Cultural theory (RCT): Relational development through the life span, the neuroscience of connection, and social justice. The American Psychological Association invited RCT into its "Psychotherapy monographs series", noting it was one of the ten most important psychological theories in North America.

This book addresses many of RCT's cutting-edge applications. It is a compilation of writings by people who presented at and attended the 2016 Transforming Community: The Radical Reality of Relationships Conference held in Duluth, Minnesota. The conference was co-sponsored by The College of St. Scholastica (CSS), Wellesley Centers for Women, and the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at Wellesley College.

There are four main sections of the book:

• Neuroscience and Health Care
• Education
• Environment
• Social Justice

They are reflective of the discussion groups convened at the conference. Heart-felt dialogue addressed how RCT can be applied to education, race, white privilege, the neurobiology of connection, resistance to marginalization, LBGTQI issues, mentorship, girl-centered practice, intellectual mattering, disruptive empathy, the radical reality of relationships, integrating critical race and relational cultural theories, our intrinsic relationship with the environment, and relational advocacy.

The authors and editors hope you find RCT helpful in working with clients, communities, and institutions and that this book inspires you on the path of developing empathic communities through the practice and power of connection.

What is Relational-Cultural Theory?

What has come to be known as Relational-Cultural theory was created in the late 1970s by a collaborative group of four women clinicians - Jean Baker Miller, MD, Irene Stiver, PhD, Janet Surrey, PhD, and Judith Jordan, PhD.

Relational-Cultural theory (RCT) places relationships at the center of human growth. People grow through and toward relationship throughout their lifespan. While the culture calls for independence, autonomy, and a "stand on your own two feet" mentality, RCT points out our ongoing need to be connected with others. When we are excluded or isolated, the resultant social pain travels the same pathways to the same place in the brain as the pain of physical injury or experiencing intense hunger or thirst. RCT suggests we must participate in mutually empathic relationships to survive and grow strong. This theory has been applied to psychotherapy, education, social work curricula, graduate psychology programs, and social policy. It has been viewed as a revolutionary new model of human nature and social construction. RCT provides a positive and hopeful picture of human development, a model that celebrates bridges not walls.

Contributors to Transforming Community: Stories of Connection through the Lens of Relational-Cultural Theory:

ASPEN ABRAHAMSON-TAYLOR
AMY ANDERLY-DOTSON, MSW
AMY BANKS, MD
INDERJIT (VICKY) BASRA, LMSW
KAREN CRADDOCK, PhD, EdM
CYNTHIA RENEE DONNER, MSW, LGSW
CORRIE EHRBRIGHT, MSW
LISA EIBLE, DSW, MSW, LCSW
LOUISA D. FOOTMAN, PhD, LCSW-C
CARL GAWBOY
CONNIE GUNDERSON, PhD, LISW
TAYLOR GUNDERSON
MARY A. HERNANDEZ
NATALIE ARCE INDELICATO, PhD
JUDITH JORDAN, PhD
JULIE KIM, MSW, LICSW
ANTHONY KLAR, MSW
JANE LARSON, MSW, LGSW
NICOLE LELAND
AMY C. MAKICE, MSW, LCSW
ELIZABETH (LIBBY) MARLATT-MURDOCH, LPCA, LCAS-A, CTRTC, CCTP
BETSY B. NORDELL
VANESSA PATINO LYDIA, MPA
LEAH PRUSSIA, MSW, LICSW
ZARYN PRUSSIA
LAWANDA RAVOIRA, PhD
MATTHEW RIDER BARCLAY
HARRIET L. SCHWARTZ, PhD
KRISTEN SHREWSBURY, PhD
NATALIA SOLER
VANESSA THOENNES, MSW
ASHLEY TUVE, MSW
MARY URSULA VICARIO
OLIVIA VINNES
WILL WALES, MSW
MAUREEN WALKER, PhD