REAL Relationships exists to help individuals, churches, and organizations build healthy relationships that prevent harm and support lasting change.

Many communities care deeply about people, yet feel unprepared to recognize unhealthy relational patterns or respond effectively when harm occurs. REAL Relationships was created to bridge that gap—by providing education, training, and practical frameworks that strengthen safety, accountability, and relational health at every level.

Our work is prevention-focused, trauma-informed, and accountability-centered. We believe that healthy relationships can be taught, harmful patterns can be interrupted, and real transformation is possible when responsibility, support, and clear boundaries are present.

Our Philosophy

We believe:

  • Healthy relationships are learned, not assumed

  • Prevention is more effective than crisis response alone

  • Safety must always come first

  • Accountability is essential for real change

  • Supporting those who are harmed and confronting harmful behavior are not opposing goals

  • Transformation requires more than awareness—it requires structure, mentoring, and follow-through

REAL Relationships approaches relational harm with clarity and compassion, without minimizing impact or avoiding responsibility.

Experience That Informs the Work

REAL Relationships is led by someone who brings both professional training and lived experience navigating complex relational dynamics within families, faith communities, and organizations.

This combination allows our work to be practical, grounded, and deeply aware of the real-world challenges leaders face—especially when addressing sensitive issues that carry emotional, spiritual, and relational weight.

We understand the fear of “getting it wrong,” the pressure leaders feel to protect their communities, and the difficulty of addressing harmful behavior without creating division. Our role is to support leaders through that complexity—not to shame or undermine them.

Who We Serve

  • Churches and faith-based organizations

  • Pastors, elders, and leadership teams

  • Businesses and professional organizations

  • Individuals and families seeking healthier relational patterns

Across all settings, our goal is the same: to equip people with the clarity, confidence, and tools needed to build relationships rooted in safety, respect, and accountability.

At REAL Relationships, we take a comprehensive approach to relational health—one that integrates prevention, education, accountability, and the possibility of transformation.

Rather than reacting only when harm becomes visible, we help communities build a shared understanding of what healthy relationships look like and how to respond when concerns arise.

A Prevention-First Framework

Prevention begins with clarity.

We help organizations and churches:

  • Define healthy, respectful, and safe relational behaviors

  • Establish shared language around boundaries and responsibility

  • Recognize early warning signs of unhealthy dynamics

  • Reduce harm before it escalates

When people understand what is healthy, they are better equipped to notice when something is not.

Trauma-Informed and Leadership-Supportive

Our approach recognizes that relational harm affects people differently and that leaders often carry the weight of complex decisions.

Training is designed to:

  • Reduce fear and confusion around difficult conversations

  • Support leaders rather than overwhelm them

  • Avoid shame-based or fear-driven responses

  • Prioritize safety while maintaining dignity

This allows leaders to respond with confidence rather than avoidance.

Accountability That Leads to Change

Addressing harm requires more than awareness or care alone.

REAL Relationships helps communities develop clear accountability pathways that:

  • Name harmful behavior without labeling or public shaming

  • Place responsibility on the person causing harm

  • Establish clear expectations and boundaries

  • Include mentoring, oversight, and follow-through

  • Measure change by behavior, not promises

Accountability is not punishment—it is a necessary structure for transformation.

Supporting All Involved—Without Enabling Harm

Our approach holds two truths at the same time:

  • Those who are harmed deserve protection, support, and voice

  • Those who cause harm must be confronted with clarity and responsibility

We do not rush reconciliation, minimize impact, or use spiritual language to bypass accountability. Healing happens when safety, truth, and responsibility are held together