Women’s Mental Health Disparities 2023

Women’s History Month is a time for us to reflect on the unique experience of women in our history. It is a time to evaluate how that experience has shaped our present reality, and what the implications are for offering programs and services that are both relevant and supportive of women. It is also a…

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Tyre Nichols who was murdered by police officers in Memphis, Tennessee

Council for Relationships’ Statement on the Murder of Tyre Nichols

January 30, 2023

Council for Relationships was devastated to learn of the killing of Tyre Nichols, who was murdered at the hands of police officers earlier this month in Memphis, Tennessee. We grieve the senseless loss of another Black man at the hands of law enforcement and we stand with communities across the nation echoing the message: enough…

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title: Combatting Rising Antisemitism & Racism this International Holocaust Memorial Day

Combatting Rising Antisemitism & Racism this International Holocaust Memorial Day

January 25, 2023

Commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day January 27, 2023, is International Holocaust Memorial Day, commemorating the 78th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is a stark symbol of a 14-year campaign by the Nazis and their collaborators to murder all the Jews in Europe. The day also commemorates…

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Sign stating self care isn't selfish as tip for mental health management

Mental Health Management Tips for 2023

It doesn’t have to be New Year, Same You. When it comes to resolutions, we tend to think about physical health; the exterior and external world reign (like quitting smoking, losing weight, getting in shape, or saving more money). While these are all really great goals, we need to start making mental health resolutions to…

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Person in bed with depression

5 Tips to Beat the Winter Blues 2023

January 17, 2023

The winter season is upon us. Frigid temperatures, fewer hours of daylight, and viral illnesses can all contribute to increased isolation, and for many, increased stress and seasonal depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Here are 5 tips to beat the winter blues in 2023. 1.  Connect with friends and family Over the last couple…

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CFR psychiatrist Doctor Michael Antzis profile picture

Philadelphia Psychiatrist Accepting New Patients: Dr. Michael Antzis

January 4, 2023

Finding a Philadelphia psychiatrist accepting new patients can be difficult. CFR is proud to welcome staff psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Antzis, to our organization. Dr. Antzis sees patients virtually and at CFR’s Center City Philadelphia office. He is currently accepting new patients. Continue reading to learn more about Dr. Antzis, his therapeutic approaches, goals, and training….

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Daily Temperature Reading – A Skill for Committed Relationships

January 3, 2023

Is it even possible to love someone for your entire life? Yes, you can love someone for a lifetime, but you need the knowledge and skills to maintain and grow the relationship. As the creator of The Daily Temperature Reading technique, I know it is not how much you love each other that strengthens a…

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New Year's resolution ideas

2023 New Year’s Resolutions

December 13, 2022

It’s time to start making your 2023 New Year’s resolutions. CFR Staff Therapist Marrisa Kos, MSW, RN, shares her thoughts on the following topics: How to think about New Year’s resolutions How to make and keep your resolutions Ideas for 2023 New Year’s resolutions What to do when you’re struggling with your resolutions. Thinking about…

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Council for Relationships staff therapist Marissa Kos professional headshot

Therapist Near Me: Philadelphia’s Marissa Kos

December 6, 2022

Have you been wondering, “are there therapists near me”?  This month’s featured CFR therapist is Marissa Kos, MSW, RN. Marissa provides therapy at CFR’s Philadelphia’s Center City and University City offices, Bryn Mawr and Wynnewood, PA, offices, and also provides online therapy. Continue reading to learn more about Marissa, her therapeutic approaches, goals, and contact…

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Going “Home” for the Holidays

November 14, 2022

For some of us, including me, the phrase “going home for the holidays” invites anxiety, dread, and avoidance. Every year I struggle to decide what to do for Thanksgiving. The “holiday” has a lot of difficult subjects wrapped up in it. This is especially true for many queer and trans people, Indigenous Americans, and sometimes…

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Benefits of Mindfulness on Women’s Health

October 17, 2022

Many often do not think about it, but our mood and life experiences play an essential role in our health. Our mood and life stressors can negatively impact our health outcomes and experiences. For example, women who undergo various forms of stress often experience different health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, reproductive illness, and…

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Relational Landscapes

August 18, 2022

As a therapist trained in family systems, I am always entangled in the relational world of the clients that I guide and support. My meditation on the word “relationship” has shifted my perspective on our ability to be inner healers through the ways we rely on socialization and our role in global sustainability. The following…

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Featured Therapist for August, Mike Butera

August 4, 2022

Every month, Council for Relationships features one of our staff therapists. This month’s Featured Therapist is Mike Butera, MFT. Learn more about him in the below interview! What makes you unique as a therapist and as a person? I have a never-ending lust for learning about human nature that exists both inside and outside the…

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Mind, Body, and Soul Care

July 21, 2022

In a busy world, it can be challenging to remember to pause and take inventory of how you’re doing emotionally and mentally. With endless to-do lists and constant overstimulation from the news and navigating life in the pandemic, it’s hard to focus on anything other than just getting through the day. Do you ever feel…

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Featured Therapist for July, Courtney Ragin

July 7, 2022

Every month, Council for Relationships features one of our staff therapists. This month’s Featured Therapist is Courtney Ragin, MFT. Learn more about her in the below interview! What do you consider to be the goal of therapy? How do you help your clients achieve their goals?  I believe that the goal of therapy is to…

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Permission for Pleasure

As summer weather quickly approaches, there are a few things that come to mind: sun, sand, and sex. There is something inherently erotic about hot summer nights, sunbaked skin and wearing less clothing that may motivate your mojo. If you, like so many other folx out there, have some hang-ups about experiencing sexual pleasure, here…

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Summer Slow Down

School’s out (or about to be) for Summer! And that means warmer weather, more daylight, rushing kids around to camps, and hopefully some vacations with friends and family. Summer can often be refreshing, a time to unplug, recharge, and ground ourselves before Fall kicks things back into high gear. But how can we do that…

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Featured Therapist for June, Danielle Silverman

Every month, Council for Relationships features one of our staff therapists. This month’s Featured Therapist is Danielle Silverman, LCSW, MEd. Learn more about her in the below interview! What do you consider to be the goal of therapy? How do you help your clients achieve their goals? I think the goal of therapy is to…

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Featured Therapist for May, Remy Kurland

Every month, Council for Relationships features one of our staff therapists. This month’s Featured Therapist is Remy Kurland, MEd, EdS, LAC. Learn more about her in the below interview! How would your clients describe you? I think my clients would describe me as someone who is compassionate and understanding, someone who makes sure that my…

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Reflections on the Holocaust and the War in Ukraine from the Perspective of a Grandchild of Holocaust Survivors

April 28, 2022

Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, is Thursday, April 28, 2022. For several decades, the Transcending Trauma Project (TTP) has been researching the effects of the Holocaust on survivor families. A qualitative research project at Council for Relationships, TTP has interviewed 307 survivors, spouses, children, and grandchildren. TTP’s first book, Transcending Trauma, focused on the…

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A Lesson from Buddhism (and the Seasons)

April 21, 2022

It’s that time of year when, if you squint your eyes, you can see little green buds on the tips of the trees. What looks like a green haze on the treetops serves as a reminder that we have once again emerged from a seemingly endless winter. As we suffered through the cold of the…

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