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Category » Family

Navigating the Holiday Season for Military Families" - A blog graphic with a blurred image of a Christmas tree in the background. The text includes the title of the blog and a subtitle, "Veteran Mental Health During the Holidays: A Blog by Dr. Qianna S. Snooks." The Council for Relationships logo is displayed at the top. The design is festive and professional, using a soft purple tone and white accents.

Veteran Mental Health During the Holidays

November 26, 2024

This time of year can be a joyous time filled with holiday family traditions, connection, and gratitude, but for military families, it often brings unique challenges. Balancing deployments, reintegration, and the demands of military life can impact emotional well-being during this special time of year. Prioritizing veteran mental health is essential to navigating these challenges…

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Graphic promoting a holiday guide titled 'A Holiday Guide to Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy' by Sloane Previdi, MFT. The image features a simple illustration of a person represented by a stick figure being pinched by a large hand, symbolizing the concept of feelings of being small or inadequate. The background includes swirling light blue shapes, giving a sense of motion or emotion. The logo for 'Council for Relationships' is at the bottom of the image.

How to Overcome Feelings of Inadequacy During the Holidays

November 19, 2024

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration, but for many, it can magnify feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. Social media platforms and societal expectations often create pressure to feel happy and fulfilled, leaving those who feel disconnected struggling with self-doubt and insecurity. These emotions can weigh heavily during…

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Graphic featuring Sloane Previdi, LSW, MSW, a therapist at Council for Relationships. The text reads "Featured Bryn Mawr Therapist" at the top, with "Sloane Previdi, LSW, MSW" in large purple font below her photo. The bottom of the graphic lists her title as "Staff Therapist" and locations "Bryn Mawr, PA, & Paoli, PA." The Council for Relationships logo is in the lower right corner. Sloane is smiling and wearing a light top against a gray background.

Bryn Mawr Therapist Sloane Previdi: Client-Centered Care Focus

October 15, 2024

Therapists bring unique insights, experiences, and techniques to their practice, creating a personalized space for clients to feel heard and understood. At Council for Relationships (CFR), Staff Therapist Sloane Previdi, LSW, MFT, is known for her compassionate, systems-based approach. If you’re looking for an online Bryn Mawr therapist deeply committed to client-centered care, Sloane might…

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Image of a military parent in uniform holding a young child. Text overlay reads: 'Military Children's Mental Health: Navigating the Challenges of Deployment & Relocation' by Allen-Michael Lewis, LMFT, MS, AS. Council for Relationships logo is in the bottom corner.

Military Children Mental Health: Navigating the Challenges of Deployment & Relocation

Nicole’s father has been on active duty in the Army for most of her life. He has had several deployments, and their family moved multiple times, bringing them to different duty stations during her childhood and teenage years. When people discuss the military, they often focus on active-duty and veteran service members, but they usually…

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Children's Mental Health" infographic by Council for Relationships. The design features the title "CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH" in bold, purple letters, with the subtitle "WHY EARLY INTERVENTION MATTERS" in black at the bottom. At the top, the Council for Relationships logo is prominently displayed. Below the title, there is a black-and-white image of three young children sitting together, with two teal star shapes flanking the image. The infographic is credited to Meghan Rydzewski, MFT, noted in a text box just above the subtitle. The background is white, creating a clean and professional look.

Children’s Mental Health: Why Early Intervention Matters

May 29, 2024

Understanding children’s mental health is crucial for early intervention. This blog highlights the importance of child therapy, signs of mental health issues, and how to support a child. Promoting mental health awareness for children and informed parenting and child mental health can make a significant difference in their well-being. Why Early Intervention Matters Mental health…

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Cover of a publication featuring a time prioritization strategy. The image background shows a tangle of electrical wires and poles in grayscale. Overlaying this is the title 'ONE TWO THREE TIME' in bold, purple block letters. Below the title, in smaller white text, it reads 'A TIME PRIORIZATION STRATEGY FOR ADULTS.' The author's name, 'BY KENT MATTHIES, MFT, MDiv,' is also displayed in white. At the bottom of the image, the 'Council for Relationships' logo is visible, indicating the publisher or associated organization.

One Two Three Time: A Time Prioritization Strategy for Adults

April 22, 2024

In the hustle of modern life, understanding and managing personal time is critical to enhancing well-being. In fact, a recent survey found that when rating on a scale of 1-10, where 10 signifies a great deal of stress, a quarter of all Americans reported their average stress level as between 8 and 10. The concept…

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An image featuring a promotional graphic for a therapist being featured in the news. The backdrop is split with a dark purple top half adorned with repetitive text saying "THE NEWS" in light gray, and the bottom half shows a light gray pattern with faint circular designs. The central focus is a framed photo of a smiling woman with long red hair, identified as Meghan Rydzewski, MFT, a staff therapist at CFR. To the left of her photo, there's a bold purple vertical stripe and a large, green, rectangular border surrounding her picture. Beneath the photo, in bold white text against a black background, reads "Featured in" followed by the publication name "The Wildest" in a stylized font that looks handwritten. The overall design suggests a professional announcement of the individual's media appearance.

CFR Staff Therapist Meghan Rydzewski Featured in The Wildest

April 17, 2024

April 17, 2024 | CFR Staff Therapist Meghan Rydzewski, MFT, was featured in The Wildest. Meghan spoke with journalist Maggie Langer for Maggie’s article, “So, You and Your Partner Want to Live Together—But Your Pets Don’t.” We encourage you to read and share the article. To request an appointment with Meghan Rydzewski, visit her biography….

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An illustration for a mental health nonprofit featuring a stylized, circular composition with a silhouette of a contemplative pregnant figure at its center. Soft waves and plant motifs in a palette of greyscale, purples, pale blues, and light greens create a serene background. The title "Ambivalence During Pregnancy: Navigating the Unspoken" is placed prominently at the bottom with the author's name "Sonja Spangler, LSW" just below it. The organization's name "Council for Relationships" is subtly placed at the top. The overall design conveys a sense of calm and introspection.

Ambivalence During Pregnancy: Navigating the Unspoken

March 27, 2024

Pregnancy is often portrayed as a time of joy and anticipation, but for many, it’s a period marked by complex emotions. Ambivalence during pregnancy, a state of having mixed feelings about the impending arrival of one’s baby, is a common yet seldom discussed phenomenon. This silence fosters a sense of isolation, shame, and fear, leading…

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Artistic cover image for a blog titled 'Identity Shift in Motherhood – Navigating New Challenges & Rediscovering Yourself', by Sonja Spangler, LSW. The illustration features a woman's profile made of swirling, leafy patterns in a harmonious blend of purple and green hues, symbolizing growth and transformation. Butterflies and soft, floating elements signify change and rebirth. The bottom of the image includes the 'Council for Relationships' logo, emphasizing the theme of personal development within motherhood.

Identity Shift in Motherhood: Navigating New Challenges & Rediscovering Yourself

March 19, 2024

Embarking on the journey of motherhood introduces a profound “identity shift in motherhood” that many are unprepared for. This transformative phase brings various challenges, from the loss of personal identity to the struggle to find joy amidst the chaos of parenting. This blog delves into the heart of these experiences, offering insights and practical advice…

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This is a collage of black and white images with a central color image, laid out to create a promotional graphic for an article or a discussion topic. The central color image shows two people, with a focus on their hands gently resting on one another, showcasing rings, implying a significant relationship. Surrounding this image are various black and white photos depicting different forms of affection or companionship: two people laughing together, a person resting their head on another's shoulder, two individuals sitting by a body of water, an elderly couple smiling at the camera, and a person cuddling with a dog. Overlaid on the collage is a block of text that reads "QUEERPLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS & QUESTIONING ROMANTIC HIERARCHY BY ANDY PHAM & CASEY HERGER" with the logo "COUNCIL FOR RELATIONSHIPS" at the bottom. The composition suggests a focus on the depth and variety of relationships beyond traditional romantic frameworks.

Queerplatonic Relationships & Questioning Romantic Hierarchy 

February 15, 2024
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This blog discusses the overlapping of different types of relationships, particularly in queerplatonic bonds. It also explores the complexities of human connections. Queerplatonic relationships go beyond labels and involve people who identify as asexual, aromantic, or sexual and romantic feelings. They show deep emotional intimacy. Queerplatonic partners display characteristics commonly linked to romantic partnerships, yet…

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How to Manage Stress During the Holidays

December 21, 2023

Ask any AI chatbot about how to manage stress during the holidays, and you’re bound to find out that there is a lot of stress management advice out there. Council for Relationships is here to clear a path through the clutter. We asked Matthew McCrickard, the Associate Director of CFR’s Postgraduate Certificate Program, for his top…

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Guilt-Free Holidays: A Parents’ Guide to the Holiday Season

December 19, 2023

Parenting during the holiday season is not easy. Stress, guilt, and fear can arise from various sources during this time. But do not fret, parents! Guilt-free holidays are within your grasp. Lia Pezzato is a therapist who specializes in helping marriages and families. She has a plan to help you manage guilt and stress during…

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Mental Health Lessons from Hallmark Holiday Movies

Hallmark is popular during the holidays for its stories of love, tradition, and family. It also provides us with plenty of valuable mental health lessons. Hallmark’s holiday films teach us to be ourselves, be courageous, and find help during tough times. However, certain lessons should remain confined to fictional towns like Candy Cane Town or…

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Emotional Regulation: Everything You Need to Know to Improve Your Relationships

October 25, 2023

Many of us struggle with regulating (or managing) emotions. Looking inward and taking stock of our emotional regulation skills is critical to maintaining healthy adult relationships. Often, the source of conflict and struggle in relationships can be traced back to poor regulation of emotions by those in the relationship. Improving your relationships, though, takes more…

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Caring for an Aging Parent: 3 Tips to Keep You from Losing Yourself

July 20, 2023

Caring for an aging parent can feel daunting, frustrating, isolating, and sad. But it does not have to be this way. Read on to the learn more about the following tips to help keep you from losing yourself as you care for your parent.  Tip #1:  Take it slow. Caring for an elderly parent is…

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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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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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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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Graphic with a puzzle piece theme, featuring the text 'Help for Young Adults with Autism' in bold black and white fonts on a purple and light blue background. The author, Margot Stein, LMFT, is credited at the bottom, and the Council for Relationships logo appears in the bottom-right corner.

Help for Young Adults with Autism

February 18, 2021

Navigating young adulthood can be challenging for anyone, but for individuals with autism, the transition comes with unique obstacles. Understanding how to help young adults with autism can make a profound difference in their ability to build meaningful relationships, succeed in school or work, and maintain their emotional well-being. Whether you’re a family member, caregiver,…

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