Understanding Trauma: Poland & the Holocaust

Holocaust Remembrance Day, colloquially called Yom HaShoah in Israel, is an annual day of reflection and commemoration marking the date of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Bea Hollander-Goldfein, PhD, LMFT, is a Co-Director of CFR’s Transcending Trauma Project and a Staff Therapist. Here, Dr. Hollander-Goldfein, the child of a Holocaust survivor, shares her story of visiting…

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Black and white image of a young women in a dark shirt and light pants with a sad facial expression and hands in her pockets. She is surrounded by pointing fingers.

5 Bully Prevention Tips for Parents and Schools That Work

Schools should be a safe place for everyone to come, as they are, and learn skills for their future. Bullying makes schools unsafe. Ending bullying is not solely the responsibility of parents or schools, but it does require both to work together to help create good humans and future leaders. Read on for 5 bully…

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Christian crucifix wrapped in a purple cloth,

Lent and Mental Health

Lent is a springtime season in the Christian Church that begins a 40-day discipline of prayer, fasting, and contemplation. Lent also forces us to grapple with our own mortality. This can be triggering for many, but, with meditation and reflection, Lent can be a wonderful season for our mental health. Read on to learn more…

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Transgender flag

Transgender Day of Visibility and Mental Health

March 31, 2023

Transgender Day of Visibility, or TDoV, is a day where we celebrate the lives and contributions of the transgender community. At a time of unprecedent discrimination and violence aimed at people who identify as transgender or nonbinary, it is more important than ever that we all come together to support those who are marginalized. Guest…

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New Parents, Social Media & Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

From over-the-top pregnancy reveals to momfluencers with hundreds of thousands of followers, social media might lead new parents to believe pregnancy is relatively easy. It is not. Pregnancy is complicated. The pregnancy reality for new parents is often more complicated than social media wants you to believe. At best, pregnancy is a joyful time for…

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Five Things Virginia Satir Would Tell You About the Therapeutic Process

Council for Relationships is known for couples and family therapy since 1932. But who discovered and developed Family Therapy? Virgina Satir is considered the Mother of Family Therapy. Her findings and therapeutic process remain highly influential for therapists. Read on the learn more about Virginia Satir and the five things she would tell you about…

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Benefits of Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Groups

While becoming a new mother is rewarding, the journey is riddled with constant change, uncertainty, feelings of doubt, fear, and isolation. New mothers often fear voicing their needs or reaching out for help because they fear burdening those around them. New mothers also wrestle with feelings of guilt and shame for feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed,…

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A girl wearing a mask for Purim.

Purim and Mental Health: What the Holiday Can Teach Us about Ourselves

March 6, 2023

What can the Jewish holiday of Purim teach us about our own mental health? For one, it reminds us of the importance to unmask our true selves. Read on to learn more about Purim and mental health. A Jewish Masquerade Ball Purim is like a Jewish masquerade ball. Commemorating the Persian Jewish Queen Esther and…

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Portrait of Staff Therapist Sarafina Kietzman-Nicklin, MFT

Philadelphia Therapist Accepting New Patients: Sarafina Kietzman-Nicklin

Finding a Philadelphia therapist or Paoli, PA, therapist accepting new patients can be difficult. CFR is proud to have Staff Therapist Sarafina Kietzman-Nicklin, MFT, as a member of our organization. Sarafina sees patients virtually and at CFR’s University City Philadelphia office and Paoli, PA, office. She is currently accepting new patients. Continue reading to learn…

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Tips for Schools to Support Suicidal Teens in 2023

Suicide is a topic no one wants to consider, and many people feel immensely uncomfortable talking about it. The reality is that suicidal thoughts are common, especially among teens and young adults. Knowing that suicide and suicidal thoughts are common among this age group, and likely underreported due to stigma, what can schools do to…

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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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The image shows a thermometer labeled with both Celsius and Fahrenheit scales. It is positioned against a plain background, symbolizing the "Daily Temperature Check for Couples." Below the thermometer, there is text that reads "The Daily Temperature Check for Couples: A Skill for Committed Relationships," with the Council for Relationships logo above it. The bottom text includes the organization's website, encouraging viewers to visit for more information. The image represents a metaphorical "temperature check" as a relationship communication tool.

Daily Temperature Reading for Couples

January 3, 2023

Open and honest communication is vital to building trust and maintaining a deep connection in any relationship. One effective tool for fostering this communication is “The Daily Temperature Reading for Couples.” This simple yet powerful practice helps partners check in with one another, ensuring their emotional needs are met, and their relationship continues to grow….

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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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Silhouetted family of five holding hands against a cloudy sky, representing unity and connection. Large text reads 'Internal Family Systems Therapy: What You Need to Know' above smaller text 'By Tessa Peoples Kinsey, LMFT.' At the bottom, 'Council for Relationships' logo is displayed.

Internal Family Systems Therapy: What You Need to Know

October 21, 2021

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) helps us understand the mind as a collection of different “parts.” Each part has its feelings, roles, and ways of interacting. This approach shows that our inner conflicts—like feeling torn or overwhelmed—come from different parts within us, each trying to protect or help in its way. Many people find that…

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