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Four college students with backpacks walk down a beautifully tiled corridor in an old building, backs turned to the camera. The image is in black and white, with the title 'Impact of Suicide Jokes on Mental Health' and the author 'By Meghan Rydzewski, MFT' prominently displayed on a purple banner at the bottom. The Council for Relationships logo is also visible beneath the title.

Impact of Suicide Jokes on Mental Health: Supporting Peers and Preventing Crisis

September 11, 2024

The impact of suicide jokes on mental health is a growing concern, particularly among college students adjusting to life on campus. As many freshmen begin their college experience, they face…

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A title graphic for the blog "Purity Culture and Sexual Shame: A Closer Look" by Julianna Strati. The background features a sepia-toned image of the exterior of a brick church with a cross on the rooftop, set against a partly cloudy sky. The blog title is in white text, with "A Closer Look" highlighted in bright teal. The logo for "Council for Relationships" is placed in the bottom right corner of the image. The overall tone of the image is solemn and reflective, aligning with the subject of the blog.

Purity Culture and Sexual Shame: A Closer Look

September 5, 2024

Purity culture and sexual shame have shaped the lives of many people raised in Christian communities in the United States. These beliefs became popular in the 1990s. They often suggest…

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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

August 28, 2024

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…

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This image features a static background with a glitch effect and the title "Divorcing a Narcissist" prominently displayed in a digital, pixelated font. Below the main title, the subtitle reads, "What is Coercive Control?" The bottom of the image features the author's name, "Dr. Lauren Napolitano," in a smaller, similar pixelated font. The top of the image displays the Council for Relationships logo, with the text "CFR Blog" on the side. The overall design evokes a sense of disruption or distortion, reflecting the blog's focus on challenging and unsettling relationship dynamics.

Divorcing a Narcissist: What is Coercive Control?

August 20, 2024

Divorcing a narcissist is more than just a challenging breakup; it’s a battle against deep psychological manipulation and control. In this guest blog, Philadelphia-area psychologist Dr. Lauren Napolitano explores the…

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Portrait of queer-affirming therapist in philadelphia, Lia Pezzato, a Marriage & Family Therapist at Council for Relationships, featured as the "Featured Therapist." Lia practices in Philadelphia's Center City, Blue Bell, PA, and Voorhees, NJ. The image includes her name and her areas of service, with a logo in the bottom corner representing Council for Relationships. The background is a bright turquoise with purple text.

Queer-Affirming Therapist in Philadelphia: Lia Pezzato, MFT

August 15, 2024

At Council for Relationships (CFR), we proudly shine a spotlight on Lia Pezzato, MFT, a dedicated queer-affirming therapist in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Lia brings a unique perspective and passion…

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Cover art for the blog 'Systemic Approach to Relationships: A Simpler Guide' by Rabbi Yair D. Robinson. The image features a stylized tree with extensive roots, symbolizing deep connections and systemic relationships. The text is bold and purple, with the subtitle 'A Simpler Guide' in turquoise at the bottom. The Council for Relationships logo is at the bottom right.

Systemic Approach to Relationships: A Simpler Guide

August 13, 2024

In human relationships, patterns often shape behaviors and influence how we interact with each other. As a rabbi and therapist-in-training, I’ve learned that using a systemic approach to relationships helps…

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Promotional graphic for the blog 'Mental Health in Minority Communities' by Bianca Williams, MFT. The image features a young African American man with a serious expression, wearing a denim jacket. The text on the image includes the blog title and 'Care is Critical,' along with the Council for Relationships logo.

Mental Health in Minority Communities: Care is Critical

August 7, 2024

Bianca Williams, a dedicated clinician at Council for Relationships, emphasizes the importance of normalizing all feelings and emotions for her clients. Mental health in minority communities is a critical issue,…

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Graphic for the blog titled 'Mental Health of Older Adults During High Temperatures' by Kent Matthies, MFT, MDiv. The image features an older woman drinking water in front of a fan, illustrating the impact of high temperatures on older adults. The Council for Relationships logo is also displayed.

Mental Health of Older Adults During High Temperatures

August 2, 2024

The mental health of older adults during high temperatures is a growing concern, especially as the summer heat intensifies. High temperatures can lead to severe health issues, impacting both physical…

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A smiling woman with braided hair and glasses is pictured in the center. The background is a light green outdoor setting. Above her photo, the text reads: "Featured Therapist" in bold purple font. Below the photo, the text reads: "Bianca Williams" in large purple font, followed by "Marriage & Family Therapist Philadelphia - University City" in smaller white font. In the bottom right corner, the "Council for Relationships" logo is displayed. The background of the image is teal.

Bianca Williams, MFT: Featured Philadelphia Therapist

July 11, 2024

Welcome to Council for Relationships (CFR)’s monthly Featured Clinician blog, highlighting the dedicated professionals who provide exceptional therapy and psychiatry services to the Philadelphia region. This month, we are pleased…

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Daily Examen: Benefits, Examples & History

July 9, 2024

A December 2023 report by the Pew Research Center found that 70% of U.S. adults identify as spiritual in some way, with 22% being spiritual but not religious. For those…

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Image of a purple and pink butterfly with the text 'EMDR Therapy for PTSD: What You Need to Know' overlaid. Below the title, it reads 'By Amy Jones, MSW, MFT, LCSW' and 'Council for Relationships.' The butterfly and text are set against a dark purple background.

EMDR Therapy for PTSD: What You Need to Know

July 2, 2024

Amy Jones, a former Staff Therapist at the Council for Relationships, first trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) in 2021. She quickly fell in love with EMDR…

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PTSD Awareness Day 2024 image with a person sitting outdoors, looking thoughtful. Text reads 'Emerging Conceptualizations of Trauma' by Andy Phạm, MFT, Council for Relationships.

PTSD Awareness & Emerging Ideas on Trauma

June 26, 2024

As we mark the 15th Annual PTSD Awareness Day, it’s essential to reflect on the evolving understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its impact on diverse communities. In this…

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A collage of black-and-white photos featuring notable Black figures in mental health and space exploration, with the central text reading "Celebrating Juneteenth with Racial Equity in Therapy" by Kimberly Mann, SHRM-SCP. The Council for Relationships logo is also included.

Celebrating Juneteenth with Racial Equity in Therapy

June 18, 2024

This blog post, authored by Kimberly Mann, CFR’s DEIB Manager, highlights the significance of Juneteenth and the crucial need for racial equity in therapy. Juneteenth, now a national holiday, commemorates…

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Black and white image of the Golden Gate Bridge enveloped in fog, with the text 'Social Connection & Shame: Navigating Emotional Challenges. Blog by Sonja Spanger, LSW' in blue and green lettering. The Council for Relationships logo is at the bottom right corner.

Social Connection & Shame: Navigating Emotional Challenges

June 11, 2024

I once heard humans described as “exquisitely social” creatures. We have a remarkable ability to pay close attention to the people around us. While engaging in conversation, another part of…

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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…

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The image features a photo of a woman with long, blonde hair, smiling and dressed in professional attire. The background of the image is teal, and above the photo, there is a heading in bold purple text that reads "Featured Therapist." Below the photo, the name "Meghan Rydzewski" is displayed in large purple text. Underneath her name, in smaller white text, it says "Marriage & Family Therapist Philly & New Jersey." At the bottom right corner, there is a logo for the Council for Relationships, accompanied by a heart icon featuring a rainbow pride flag design.

Featured Therapist in Philadelphia: Meghan Rydzewski, MFT at Council for Relationships

May 21, 2024

Welcome to Council for Relationships (CFR) ‘s monthly Featured Clinician blog, highlighting the dedicated professionals who provide exceptional therapy and psychiatry services to the Philadelphia region. This month, we are…

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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,…

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The image features a promotional graphic with the title "Closing the Gap in North Philly PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES". Below the title, there's a byline "By Sonja Spangler, LSW" indicating the authorship. The image displays the silhouette of a pregnant woman against a backdrop of a night sky filled with stars, symbolizing perhaps hope and contemplation. The silhouette merges into a graphic that appears to represent a city skyline, possibly alluding to the community context of the services discussed. The bottom of the image has the text "COUNCIL FOR RELATIONSHIPS", likely the organization responsible for the services or the article itself. The overall theme suggests a focus on addressing the needs for mental health support for mothers in North Philadelphia.

Closing the Gap: Perinatal Mental Health Services in North Philadelphia

April 3, 2024

Perinatal mental health services play a crucial role in supporting expecting and new mothers, offering hope and essential care in communities facing significant challenges. This blog explores the transformative impact…

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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…

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An artistic blog feature image in grayscale with an abstract design representing growth. A stylized plant with broad leaves sprouts from a central path that meanders toward the viewer, bordered by swirling, smoke-like patterns. At the top, "SEED OF CHANGE" is written in large, bold letters, with the subtitle "Pathways to Personal and Spiritual Growth" just below in a smaller font. The author's name, "Rev. Dr. Dolores Littleton, LMFT," is positioned at the bottom, and the text "COUNCIL FOR RELATIONSHIPS" appears in the lower corner, suggesting a sponsoring organization. The monochrome palette gives the image a serene and contemplative mood.

Seed of Change: Pathways to Personal and Spiritual Growth

March 26, 2024

Embarking on a transformation journey begins with the “Seed of Change.” This blog explores how embracing shifts in our lives, inspired by faith and Jesus’ teachings, can lead to profound…

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This image is designed as a cover for content related to women's psychological safety in the workplace. The title "WOMEN'S PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE" is prominently displayed in large, bold white text with purple accents on a dark background. Below the title, there's a subtitle in white, "A Therapist’s Tips for Managing Your Mental Health After Experiencing Workplace Harassment" which suggests practical advice within. The author's name, "By Meghan Rydzewski, MFT," appears at the bottom, indicating expertise in marriage and family therapy. The logo of the "Council for Relationships" is also present, likely signifying the organization behind the content. The visual focus is a black-and-white photograph of a woman's hand held up in a "stop" gesture, symbolizing resistance against harassment and the assertion of boundaries. The overall design conveys a serious and empowering message about the importance of mental health and safety for women in professional environments.

Women’s Psychological Safety in the Workplace

March 20, 2024

In an era where women’s psychological safety in the workplace has increasingly come to the forefront, it’s crucial to shine a light on the silent battles many face daily. This…

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