Are you and your partner satisfied with the current state of your relationship? Learn more about our $99 Relationship Checkup.
Search for a therapist, a psychiatrist or other content:
Category » General
Birth Trauma: A Story of Survival, Vulnerability & Healing
When a friend, Lauren, shared this with me, it captured the profound disorientation and grief that can follow a traumatic birth, especially when a carefully prepared birth plan goes awry. With her permission, I’ve woven parts of her prenatal, birth, and postpartum journey into this post, highlighting her struggle with postpartum depression to honor her…
Read More
Mental Health Care for Women in 2025
In 2025, mental health care for women remains a critical public health issue—especially for those whose daily life is shaped by systemic inequality, trauma, or discrimination. At Council for Relationships (CFR), we believe effective care must be rooted in intersectionality and mental health, recognizing how overlapping identities affect access, outcomes, and the emotional weight women…
Read More
Using Mindfulness to Evaluate Your Relationship with Social Media
Mindfulness is the practice of noticing what is happening within and around you in the present moment. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can apply mindful social media use to better understand your feelings, needs, and habits. This blog invites readers to pause, reflect, and decide if their online time is helping or hurting…
Read More
Expert Couples and Individual Therapy in Philadelphia with Hannah
When you’re looking for a mental health professional, you want someone who offers expert guidance, understands your unique experiences, and helps you achieve meaningful, lasting results. With Hannah Reiss, MFT, you gain access to highly specialized care in both individual therapy in Philadelphia and couples therapy in Philadelphia, tailored to your needs, concerns, and goals….
Read More
Holocaust Remembrance & the Legacy of Intergenerational Trauma
The government of Israel established Yom HaShoah as a day of Holocaust remembrance to honor the six million Jews and five million others who perished in the Holocaust—an event whose legacy of intergenerational trauma continues to shape survivors’ families today. The Israeli Parliament passed a law in 1953 to inaugurate Yom HaShoah as a public…
Read More
Supporting Transgender Mental Health Through Gender Affirming Care
Visibility empowers transgender and nonbinary people. Honoring trans lives means recognizing their resilience and lived experiences, while also advocating for essential support like gender affirming care and transgender mental health services. Although Pride Month and other LGBTQ+ observances often lead national conversations, trans visibility deserves its own spotlight, especially when access to care is on…
Read More
Managing Anxiety & Mental and Physical Health Tips
CFR Staff Therapist Meghan Rydzewski understands that managing anxiety during periods of uncertainty can be difficult, especially when trying to balance both mental and physical health. She emphasizes the importance of grounding oneself through intentional self-care routines. These routines offer control over aspects of daily life, creating a stable foundation when life feels unpredictable. Read…
Read More
Exploring Men’s Mental Health Through IFS Therapy
Many men feel pressure to be providers, leaders, and stoic figures of strength. In her latest blog, CFR Staff Therapist Kelly Davis shares how Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS therapy) offers powerful tools to support men’s mental health. Through the story of a fictional client, Kelly reveals how therapy can help men untangle complex emotions and…
Read More
Minority Stress & LGBTQ+ Mental Health: What to Know
At Council for Relationships, we believe representation, visibility, and affirmation are essential to LGBTQ+ mental health. In this blog, Clinical Intern Kathy O’Hearn—a master’s student at Thomas Jefferson University and a recipient of CFR’s Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Clinicians—shares her reflections on what it means to live authentically as a member of the LGBTQ+ community…
Read More
Emily Mudd: Celebrating the Founder of Council for Relationships | Part Three
Women’s mental health has remained central to Council for Relationships since Dr. Emily Mudd founded the organization nearly a century ago. Dr. Mudd’s groundbreaking efforts transformed society’s views on women’s roles, reproductive health, marriage, and family life. Her legacy thrives today through CFR’s ongoing commitment to addressing modern challenges in women’s mental health, family planning,…
Read More
Trauma Informed Therapist Reid Cilley Helps Clients Heal and Grow
Meet Reid Cilley, MFT: A Trauma Informed Therapist Centered on You When you’re searching for a trauma informed therapist, you deserve someone who listens without judgment and adapts to your individual pace. At Council for Relationships, Marriage and Family Therapist Reid Cilley (he/they) brings compassion, curiosity, and professionalism to their work with individuals, couples, teens,…
Read More
Emily Mudd: Celebrating the Founder of Council for Relationships | Part Two
To understand the history of marriage counseling requires an understanding of the contributions made by Dr. Emily Hartshorne Mudd. So, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, we continue our exploration of Dr. Mudd’s groundbreaking contributions to women’s mental health and relationship equity. Before founding the Marriage Council of Philadelphia—now known as Council for Relationships—Dr. Emily…
Read More
Emily Mudd: Celebrating the Founder of Council for Relationships | Part One
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us reflect on the work of Dr. Emily Hartshorne Mudd. She was a visionary in women’s mental health who championed relationship equity when women’s voices were often dismissed. In 1932, Dr. Mudd established the Marriage Council of Philadelphia, now known as the Council for Relationships. This was one…
Read More
Trauma Responses & Community Violence: Why the Brain Reacts the Way It Does
Davina Scott, a Clinical Intern at Council for Relationships and a student at the University of Pennsylvania, explores the profound effects of community violence on mental health. In this blog, she examines how trauma responses influence the behavior, decision-making, and coping skills of those who have experienced violence. By understanding these responses, communities can develop…
Read More
5 Tips to Reverse Seasonal Depression
As the days grow shorter and temperatures decrease, many individuals notice a change in their mood. This phenomenon is commonly known as the “winter blues.” For some, these feelings can develop into a more serious form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you’re feeling down during the colder months, you’re not alone….
Read More
International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025
International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This day serves as a reminder of the terrible events that took place during the Holocaust. This year’s theme, “For a Better Future,” encourages us to reflect and take action. We honor the memory of Holocaust victims and face…
Read More
Military Family Therapist in Philadelphia
Dr. Qianna S. Snooks is the Director of CFR’s Operation Home & Healing program and a dedicated Staff Therapist. Along with seeing a broad range of clients, Dr. Snooks is a therapist for military families in Philadelphia and supports those who serve and their loved ones by combining professional experience and personal passion to help…
Read More
Veteran Mental Health During the Holidays
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…
Read More
How to Overcome Feelings of Inadequacy During the Holidays
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…
Read More
How to Practice Mindfulness: A Woman’s Guide
How to Practice Mindfulness to Support Your Health and Well-being Our daily moods and life experiences are closely linked to our health. Many people don’t realize that stress can affect physical well-being. For example, studies show that women who experience chronic stress face a higher risk of severe health outcomes, including cancer, heart disease, and…
Read More
Cognitive Impairment After a Stroke: Invisible Disability Support
People often associate stroke recovery with physical challenges like mobility or speech difficulties. However, one of the most significant, yet less visible, hurdles many stroke survivors face is cognitive impairment after a stroke. In this blog, CFR Staff Therapist Darrell J. Carson, LMFT, explores the invisible struggles that many survivors endure. He offers practical insights…
Read More