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…
Read MoreWhile 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…
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreSuicide 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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreFor 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…
Read MoreI 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…
Read MoreTry 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…
Read MoreDear 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…
Read MoreHow 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…
Read MoreIn 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…
Read MoreWe 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…
Read MoreEvery 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…
Read MoreWilliam 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….
Read MoreEvery 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!…
Read MoreDr. 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’…
Read MoreMany 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…
Read MoreMarch 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…
Read MoreWilliam 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…
Read MoreElyse 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…
Read MoreStaff 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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