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Blog » Category » Grief and Loss

Category » Grief and Loss

Square graphic with a soft white-to-light-blue gradient background. At the center is an abstract illustration of two hands clasped together, drawn in teal and purple lines. Along the left side, vertical text reads “Grief During the Holidays & Beyond.” Along the right side, vertical text reads “A New Blog By Dr. Michele Marsh.” At the bottom center is the Council for Relationships logo in purple script and gray text.

Grief During the Holidays & Beyond

January 2, 2026

“Happy Holidays!” doesn’t quite ring true for many who are grieving a serious loss at this time. The most obvious and painful loss is the death of a person you…

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Promotional graphic for a new blog from Council for Relationships titled “Anticipatory Grief: Definition, Examples, & Healing Strategies.” The center of the image shows a woman sitting on a couch with her arms wrapped around her knees, looking pensive. Text highlights include “A NEW Blog” and “By CFR Staff Therapist Gabrielle Hoang, MFT.” The graphic addresses questions like “what is anticipatory grief?”, explores the “anticipatory grief definition,” offers insights into “preemptive grief,” and provides guidance on “how to cope with anticipatory grief.” The design features purple and teal paint textures on a black background.

Anticipatory Grief: Definition, Examples, & Healing Strategies

August 28, 2025

Grief can appear in many unexpected ways, even before a loss occurs. In this blog, Council for Relationships therapist Gabrielle Hoang, MFT, explores the concept of anticipatory grief. She explains…

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A black-and-white image of a handgun lying on the ground near an evidence marker labeled '1,' with additional markers in the background. The image is overlaid with Council for Relationships' branding and the blog title: 'Trauma Responses & Community Violence – Why the Brain Reacts the Way It Does. A new blog by Davina Scott.'

Trauma Responses & Community Violence: Why the Brain Reacts the Way It Does

March 3, 2025

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,…

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This image features a vivid purple flower, symbolizing remembrance, prominently displayed against a soft, dark background with light rays. The text "2024 HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY" appears at the top in elegant, white font. Below the flower, additional text credits Dr. Bea Hollander-Goldfein, LMFT, CCTP from the Council for Relationships. The overall mood is somber and reflective, appropriate for the commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Holocaust Remembrance Day 2024 – Yom HaShoah

May 6, 2024

Holocaust Remembrance Day 2024 calls us to reflect deeply on the echoes of the past and the reverberations they cause in our present world. This year, the day takes on…

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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 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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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…

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How To Let Go of Guilt

January 29, 2024

People feeling guilty about various situations frequently come to my small office. This includes a teenager dealing with their parent’s divorce and a client regretting not expressing themselves in their…

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Grieving During the Holidays: A Therapist’s Reflections

December 14, 2023

Grieving during the holidays, or for that matter, at any time of the year, is challenging to your mental health. When you feel pressured to act like you are not…

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How to Talk to Someone Who is Suicidal

November 14, 2023

I recently attended the New Jersey Suicide Prevention Conference. This topic is never easy to discuss or listen to, but it is crucial. New Jersey has lower suicide rates compared…

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Am I a Unicorn? A Therapist & Child of Holocaust Survivors On the Israel-Hamas War

October 24, 2023

On October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out a coordinated terrorist attack on innocent Israeli citizens and even took hostages. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas, and The Israel Defense…

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Disenfranchised Grief: How the Passing of My Cat Made Me a Better Therapist

October 18, 2023

We all grieve at some point in our lives. Some of us have had too many opportunities to grieve while others may have experienced grief once or twice. The sources…

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Therapy That Can Teach You Forgiveness

September 25, 2023

We all know that the ability to forgive someone is a valued human trait. But dang is it hard to do. If you’re a human, then you’ve experienced a situation…

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Racial Justice Through Tragic Optimism 

June 12, 2023

The time between the conclusion of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) and the celebration of Juneteenth is a great opportunity to reflect on the complexities…

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Christian crucifix wrapped in a purple cloth,

Lent and Mental Health

April 3, 2023

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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