At Relational Life Foundation, we believe every human has the capacity to connect more deeply, with themselves and with others. In a recent live community conversation, three incredible practitioners from Australia – Leonie Stewart, Monica Cook, and Jane Quayle – came together to share a gentle, powerful practice for accessing the Wise Adult Self through Felt Sensing.
“I found this conversation extremely valuable. In fact, I enjoyed learning about Felt Sense so much that I can’t wait to go back and listen to the conversation again and implement it in my practice and life.”
– Community Conversation Participant
What is the Wise Adult Self?
It’s the grounded, compassionate part of us that responds, rather than reacts. The part that can pause, breathe, and stay connected to our values, even in conflict or emotional intensity.
Leonie described it as “an all-encompassing self,” and demonstrated how to access it using felt sensing, a body-based awareness practice rooted in focusing, neuroscience, and parts theory. This practice helps us move out of emotional reactivity and into presence.
Why it Matters for Relationships:
| When we’re in our Wise Adult Self, we can listen with curiosity, set boundaries with love, and speak our truth without blame. These are the cornerstones of Relational Life Therapy, a method developed by Terry Real, that helps people create real, lasting change in their relationships.As Monica shared during the conversation, many clients understand what they want to do differently, but their nervous system responds before they have the chance. This practice slows things down. It gives clients a felt sense of what it’s like to relate from a place of calm strength, rather than urgency or shame. |  |
And in moments of relational rupture—when old wounds surface—this work allows us to show up for ourselves and for others in ways that foster healing, trust, and intimacy.
Want to Try it for Yourself?
We invite you to take 5 quiet minutes to explore your own Wise Adult Self with this gentle guided practice from Leonie Stewart. Let it be an experiment—there’s no wrong way to do it. Notice how your body feels. Let the experience come gently.
Access Leonie’s 5 minute meditation here
Gratitude & Invitation
Community events like this are possible because of you.
Your support allows us to offer scholarships, sliding scale therapy, and free community workshops rooted in healing and connection.
Support Our Work
Needing More Guidance? We’re Here for You
Check out our Free and Sliding Scale Offerings:
Private Affordable Relationship Therapy: Receive 3 sliding scale RLT sessions with a professional RLT Practitioner
RLT Relationship Bootcamps: 2-Day Live Training for Couples and Individuals to deepen your connections– offered virtually and in-person!
Connection Compass: Learn the RLT Relationship Grid with Dr. Cathy Hill – a self-study
access the full recording of “Discovering felt sense” here
Deep healing starts with you. Together, we’re ending the epidemic of disconnection—one relationship at a time.
