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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Processing Emotions and Connecting with Community After a Mass Shooting

May 25, 2022

I personally have never experienced trauma related to gun violence. But, the emotion I feel each time this happens is hopelessness. Our society has adopted a certain performance mechanism to…

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Mental Health and The First Responder – Part 2

February 2, 2022

Try to imagine having a job where you know there is a distinct possibility you could be killed while doing your job. Imagine that your job description requires you to…

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An Open Letter to Naomi Osaka

June 10, 2021

Dear Naomi, It’s with a heavy heart that I write you this letter because I feel the weight of the emotional pain you must be experiencing. Not only are you…

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I Have No Excuse to Feel This Bad!

How many times over the past year have you heard (or uttered to yourself) something along the lines of “I know other people have it so much worse than me, so I…

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Shifting Perspectives: Confusion as The New Norm Part I – Tragic Optimism, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Grief

In conversations with clients, friends, and colleagues, and in the materials I have read from numerous mental health sources, the word “surreal” is often used to describe the feeling of…

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How Would You Help a Friend, Family Member, or Loved One Who is Struggling?

March 10, 2020

We will be sharing stories over the next few weeks that resemble actual mental health struggles that people face every day.   Your co-worker confides in you about issues he’s…

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Mental Health Issues Experienced By College Students

January 23, 2020

Every year, over two million high school graduates embark on their journey to become college students. Armed with their newfound freedom, students are exposed to the stressors associated with higher…

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The Economy’s Psychological Impact on Millennials

December 10, 2019

William Coffey, LCSW, is a Staff Therapist at our Center City and Voorhees, NJ offices.  At the conclusion of World War II, the U.S. economy took off like a rocket….

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Featured Therapist for September, Brittany Kurdewan

September 3, 2019

Every month, Council for Relationships features one of our Staff Therapists. This month’s Featured Therapist, Brittany Kurdewan, LMFT, joined our staff in 2019. Learn about Brittany in the interview below!…

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Understanding Post-Partum Depression

July 30, 2019

Dr. Jane Summers is the Medical Director at Council for Relationships, and founding Director of Women’s Psychological Health Services. Having specialized in women’s behavioral health throughout her career, Dr. Summers’…

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Spring: a time to be vigilant about suicide prevention

April 17, 2019

Many people believe that suicide rates peak during the winter months. Intuitively, this makes sense given the existence of seasonal affective disorder and the tendency to associate depression with winter. Some also believe that the holidays amplify…

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Woman-Founded in 1932

March 7, 2019

March is Women’s History Month and Council for Relationships (CFR) is celebrating 90 years of Marriage & Family Therapy, the legacy of Dr. Emily Mudd, and honoring all the women (trans…

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What We Can Learn From Bruce Springsteen

January 2, 2019

William Coffey is a staff therapist at Council for Relationships’ Center City and Voorhees, NJ offices.  I first saw Bruce Springsteen, aka The Boss, in October 1974 in the gymnasium…

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My Message to Women: You do not have to suffer in silence

Elyse Stein Batoff, Psychologist, LMFT has years of experience working in the area of Women’s Psychological Health Services. She has offered the emotional support that has been needed by many…

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Hope and Healing After Loss by Suicide

June 25, 2018

Staff Therapist Sarah Bauer, MS, MFT specializes in helping clients who are experiencing domestic violence, trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Sarah uses a systemic approach to help…

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