Relational Cultural Therapy
Healing Through Connection
At Velvet & Vine, we believe that healing is not a solitary act. Relational Cultural Therapy invites us to step into the sacred space of connection—where growth, resilience, and belonging take root. Especially for queer, trans, and neurodivergent individuals navigating a world that often marginalizes or misunderstands, Relational Cultural Therapy offers a restorative framework. It honors our interdependence and the transformative power of relationships.
In this guide, you’ll learn what Relational Cultural Therapy is, how it supports queer and marginalized communities, and what to expect when you engage with this powerful approach at Velvet & Vine.
What Is Relational Cultural Therapy?
Relational Cultural Therapy (RCT) emerged from feminist and multicultural movements in psychology. Unlike traditional models that often emphasize autonomy as the end goal, Relational Cultural Therapy recognizes that human beings grow through and toward connection. At its core, this therapeutic approach sees isolation as the source of suffering and relationship as the site of healing.
Developed by Jean Baker Miller and colleagues at the Stone Center, Relational Cultural Therapy challenges systems of power, privilege, and oppression that fracture relationships. Instead of focusing solely on individual pathology, it illuminates the ways systemic forces and relational disconnections contribute to distress.
At Velvet & Vine, we weave the principles of Relational Cultural Therapy into our work because they align with our mission: to create spaces where queer and trans people can come home to themselves in connection with others.
Why Choose Relational Cultural Therapy
For queer, trans, and neurodivergent individuals, relationships can be sites of both harm and healing. Relational Cultural Therapy acknowledges this complexity. Our therapists understand how intersectional identities shape the ways we experience connection, disconnection, and resilience.
Here’s how Relational Cultural Therapy at Velvet & Vine supports your healing journey:
🌿 Affirming your lived experience: We honor the wisdom of your body, your history, and your communities.
🌿 Naming systemic harm: We don’t pathologize natural responses to oppression. Instead, we work to dismantle internalized shame and isolation.
🌿 Fostering mutual empathy: Healing happens in relationships where power is shared, and authenticity is welcomed.
🌿 Centering growth-in-connection: We focus on strengthening your capacity for healthy, sustaining relationships—with yourself and others.
When you choose Relational Cultural Therapy with us, you step into a space designed for collective liberation.
Core Principles of Relational Cultural Therapy
At Velvet & Vine, we root our Relational Cultural Therapy practice in these foundational principles:
Connection is the cornerstone of growth
Disconnection breeds suffering; connection heals. Our work invites you to cultivate relationships that nourish rather than deplete.
Mutual empathy and authenticity create change
In Relational Cultural Therapy, the therapeutic relationship is not a one-way street. Your therapist shows up with authenticity, creating space for mutual learning and growth.
Power dynamics must be named and addressed
We explore how systems of power impact relationships. This includes addressing how race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and neurodivergence intersect in your relational world.
Social justice is inseparable from mental health
Your struggles are not just personal—they are deeply tied to the structures around you. Relational Cultural Therapy at Velvet & Vine integrates advocacy and action with inner work.
We grow through and toward connection
Our ultimate aim is not independence in isolation, but interdependence within supportive relationships.
What Happens in Relational Cultural Therapy Sessions?
Each Relational Cultural Therapy session at Velvet & Vine is shaped by your unique needs and identities. Still, you can expect some common threads:
Exploration of Relationships
We’ll explore how your past and present relationships impact your sense of self, safety, and belonging. This includes family of origin, chosen family, intimate partners, community, and even your relationship with larger systems.
Naming and Healing Disconnection
Many of us carry wounds from disconnection—moments when we felt unseen, invalidated, or abandoned. Together, we work to understand these moments and create pathways back to connection.
Shared Power and Mutuality
In Relational Cultural Therapy, your therapist doesn’t claim all the expertise. We value your insight and co-create the healing process with you.
Centering Your Intersectional Identities
Your identities matter here. We hold space for the fullness of who you are and how your experiences of race, gender, sexuality, ability, class, and neurodivergence shape your relational world.
Who Benefits From Relational Cultural Therapy?
Relational Cultural Therapy is especially powerful for:
🌿 Queer and trans individuals seeking affirming care that recognizes systemic oppression.
🌿 Neurodivergent folks wanting therapy that values non-normative ways of relating.
🌿 People healing from relational trauma, attachment wounds, or family of origin harm.
🌿 Those navigating intersectional oppression who want therapy that addresses the root causes of disconnection.
🌿 Anyone longing for deeper, more authentic relationships.
Whether you’re untangling internalized oppression, building new relational skills, or seeking to heal from trauma, Relational Cultural Therapy offers a transformative path.
How Relational Cultural Therapy Supports Queer and Trans Communities
At Velvet & Vine, we recognize that queer and trans bodies often move through a world that demands performance, conformity, and disconnection. Relational Cultural Therapy provides a different invitation: to show up as you are and find healing in relationships that affirm your truth.
Through Relational Cultural Therapy, we:
🌿 Challenge internalized shame and isolation.
🌿 Create spaces for authentic self-expression.
🌿 Support the creation and maintenance of chosen family.
🌿 Name and resist systemic harms like homophobia, transphobia, racism, and ableism.
🌿 Honor your resilience and resourcefulness.
When you choose Relational Cultural Therapy at Velvet & Vine, you choose a space where your whole self is welcome.
What Makes Relational Cultural Therapy at Velvet & Vine Different?
There are many therapists who offer Relational Cultural Therapy—but at Velvet & Vine, our approach is intentionally queer-liberatory, trauma-informed, and rooted in social justice.
Here’s what sets us apart:
🌿 Every therapist is trained in both Relational Cultural Therapy and LGBTQIA+ affirming care.
🌿 We integrate somatic and nervous system work alongside relational healing.
🌿 Our practice centers anti-oppression, not just as a value but as a daily practice.
🌿 We offer sliding scale options to increase access to care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Relational Cultural Therapy right for me?
If you’re longing for connection, healing from relational trauma, or seeking therapy that honors your identities and values, Relational Cultural Therapy may be a beautiful fit.
What’s the difference between Relational Cultural Therapy and traditional therapy?
Unlike traditional models that focus on individual autonomy as the goal, Relational Cultural Therapy emphasizes growth through connection and the healing of relational disconnections. It also actively names and addresses systemic oppression.
Do you offer virtual Relational Cultural Therapy sessions?
Yes! We provide telehealth for Relational Cultural Therapy, so you can access care in a way that feels safe and supportive.
How do I get started with Relational Cultural Therapy at Velvet & Vine?
You can book a consultation or contact us at hello@velvetandvine.com to learn more. We’ll pair you with a therapist who aligns with your needs and goals.