Couples Therapy Rooted in Relational Life Therapy - Meet Rick Martin in Red Deer
RLT Marriage Counselling is a Red Deer, Alberta-based couples therapy practice rooted in Relational Life Therapy (RLT). Rick Martin is the only certified Relational Life Therapist in western Canada working exclusively with couples. Sessions are available online across Alberta and in-person in Red Deer at our 50 Street office.
The work is direct, practical, and built around one goal: helping couples break the patterns that keep them stuck and build something that actually works
The RLT Approach - Who We Are and How We Work
Every couple that comes to RLT Marriage Counselling arrives with a version of the same problem. The words are different. The history is different. The pattern underneath is almost always the same.
One partner pushes harder. The other pulls back. Both are doing exactly what they learned to do. Neither is the villain. Both are running programs inherited long before this relationship began.
Relational Life Therapy doesn't ask who is to blame. It asks what programs are running and how to replace them with something you actually chose. That is the work we do here.
This is not general therapy. Rick works exclusively with couples, which means every session, every tool, and every conversation is designed for the specific dynamics that show up between two people trying to stay connected.
Online Sessions That Work for Real Life
Online couples therapy through RLT Marriage Counselling runs on Zoom from Rick's private office in Red Deer. Sessions are available to couples anywhere in Alberta - no commute, no waiting room, no scheduling around a physical location.
Extended session formats (typically two hours) allow real progress in less time. Many couples notice a meaningful shift within the first four to six sessions. Day, evening, and weekend appointments are available to fit around work, parenting, and the rest of life.
If you are in Red Deer or central Alberta and prefer to meet in person, in-person sessions are now available at our Red Deer office - 4909 50 Street, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6X2. In-person sessions run Mondays and Thursdays, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
All new clients - regardless of session format - begin with a free 30-minute online intro session via Zoom. From there, Rick and your couple will determine whether ongoing sessions continue online or move to in-person.
Meet Your Counsellor
I'm Rick Martin, founder of RLT Marriage Counselling and the only certified Relational Life Therapist in western Canada working exclusively with couples.
I didn't find this work by searching for a career. I found it in the middle of my third marriage, standing in a kitchen, ready to walk away from everything I had built. What I discovered in that training changed everything - not just my relationship, but my understanding of why relationships fail and what it actually takes to fix them.
I bring 500+ hours of RLT training completed directly under Dr. Terry Real at the Relational Life Institute, along with more than 25 years in behavioural health. More than that, I bring the lived experience of someone who has been exactly where most of my clients are sitting when they first reach out.
My approach is direct and honest. I say the hard thing, and I say it with care. There is no blame here, no shame, and no dancing around what is actually happening. There is just the work, and the tools to do it.
Whether you are navigating ongoing couples counselling, working through stepfamily dynamics, preparing for marriage with pre-marital guidance, or in a moment of crisis and need immediate support - this is where that work gets done.
Transparent Pricing and Powerful Value
Therapy is an investment - in time, in energy, and in the relationship you are trying to protect. That is why fees at RLT Marriage Counselling are transparent and straightforward.
Extended-format sessions (typically two hours) are designed to make real progress fast. Most couples experience noticeable shifts within the first four to six sessions. Flexible packages are available for ongoing work or specific challenges.
Pricing is listed in full on the services pages - no hidden fees, no surprises.
Your RLT Counselling Experience - What to Expect
RLT Specialist
- You will work with Alberta's only certified Relational Life Therapist working exclusively with couples. This is not general therapy. It is focused, relational work - direct, honest, and built to create real change.
Flexible Scheduling
- Day, evening, and weekend appointments are available through Rick's live online calendar. Booking is fully online. Life happens - rescheduling is simple and straightforward. Online sessions run Monday through Saturday. In-person sessions at the Red Deer office are available Mondays and Thursdays.
Follow-up Support
- Change does not happen in a straight line. Between sessions, you can reach out by text or email for brief check-ins when things get messy. This keeps the work moving and helps you apply new skills in real time, not just in session.
Why Choose Online Counselling?
Online sessions through Zoom remove the barriers that keep couples from getting support when they need it most.
- No travel required - attend from home, work, or wherever you are
- Flexible hours including evenings and weekends
- Private and secure - your story stays safe
- Faster access with no long waitlists
- Being in your own space reduces the anxiety of walking into a clinic
For couples in Red Deer and central Alberta who prefer to meet in person, that option is now available too. Everything still begins with a free online intro session - from there, you and Rick will decide which format fits best going forward.
Availability and Booking
Online sessions via Zoom are available Monday through Saturday:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
In-person sessions are available at:
4909 50 Street, Suite 200
2nd Floor
Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6X2
In-person hours:
- Mondays and Thursdays, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
All new clients begin with a free 30-minute online intro session via Zoom - this applies whether you plan to continue online or in-person. During that first conversation, Rick will help you determine which format fits your situation best.
Questions About Couples Therapy at RLT Marriage Counselling
Who is RLT Marriage Counselling for?
RLT Marriage Counselling works exclusively with couples - married, common-law, dating, or separated and considering reconciliation. If you are two people trying to figure out whether this relationship can work and what it would take to make it work, this practice is built for you. Rick does not offer individual therapy or general counselling. Every session, every tool, and every approach is designed specifically for couples.
What is Relational Life Therapy and how is it different from regular couples counselling?
Relational Life Therapy (RLT) is a structured, evidence-informed approach to couples therapy developed by Dr. Terry Real. Unlike general counselling that focuses on communication skills or conflict resolution techniques, RLT goes directly to the relational patterns underneath the conflict - the inherited behaviours and adaptive strategies both partners bring from long before this relationship began. The work is direct, honest, and moves fast. Most couples notice a real shift within the first four to six sessions.
Do you offer in-person sessions or only online?
Both. Online sessions via Zoom are available to couples anywhere in Alberta, Monday through Saturday. In-person sessions are now available at our Red Deer office - 4909 50 Street, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6X2 - on Mondays and Thursdays, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. All new clients begin with a free 30-minute online intro session regardless of which format they plan to continue with. That first conversation helps Rick understand your situation and determine which format fits best going forward.
How much does couples therapy cost at RLT Marriage Counselling?
Sessions at RLT Marriage Counselling are extended format - typically two hours - which means more real progress in fewer appointments. Pricing is transparent and listed in full on the services pages. There are no hidden fees. Many couples find that the extended format and focused RLT approach means they need fewer total sessions than they expected, which keeps the overall investment manageable. Your first 30-minute intro session is always free.
How do I get started?
Everything begins with a free 30-minute intro session booked online through Rick's live calendar. This is not a sales call. It is a real conversation about where you are, what you are dealing with, and whether RLT Marriage Counselling is the right fit for your situation. If it is, you will leave with a clear sense of what the work looks like and what comes next. If it is not the right fit, Rick will tell you that honestly and point you toward something that is.
What if my partner is reluctant to come to therapy?
This is one of the most common situations Rick hears about. One partner is ready. The other is not sure. The free intro session is designed with exactly this in mind - it is low commitment, no pressure, and gives both partners a chance to get a feel for Rick's approach before deciding anything. Many couples who started with one reluctant partner have found that the first session changed the conversation entirely. The worst outcome is that you leave with more clarity than you had before.
Is online couples therapy as effective as in-person?
Yes - and for many couples, it is more effective. When you are in your own space, the anxiety of walking into a clinic disappears. You are more likely to be honest, more likely to show up consistently, and more likely to do the work between sessions. The research on telehealth therapy outcomes supports this. Rick has worked with couples online since before it became the norm and has seen consistently strong results. That said, if you prefer to meet in person, that option is now available in Red Deer.
This work only matters if it works for you. Learn who I am, how I show up, and what makes this different and then decide if we’re the right fit.
