Juneteenth at Longwood Gardens

On Friday, June 16, 2023, Longwood Gardens hosted Fashioning Freedom, a event honoring the power of fashion in the struggle for freedom. It promised to be an evening for celebrating…

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Black Joy

While the events that led to the ultimate creation of the national holiday known as Juneteenth may be over 160 years in the past, there is no time like the…

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“I Don’t See Color”: White Caregivers Raising BIPOC Children

In previous generations, the phrase “I don’t see color” was a mark of being progressive. Parents would use the phrase to explain why the differences of another person were not…

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Opening Our Eyes to Opportunities for Change

September 2, 2021

Sitting in my office at 40th and Chestnut Streets, I often look east and admire the beautiful mural of a young Black man, titled “Colorful Legacy,” by Willis “Nomo” Humphrey…

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The Importance of Homeostasis & Self-Love

April 15, 2021

Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, gender, ethnicity, hue, or identity. All humans can be subjected to experiencing mental health challenges. The objective is to determine how…

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The Family – And Now the Nation – That Howls Together

August 27, 2020

On April 23, while watching the PBS News Hour’s coverage of – what else – our nation’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis, I received a delightful surprise at the close…

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A White Therapist’s Thoughts on Change

Change. What leads to change? As therapists this is a question many of us have considered deeply in our professional development. Students at Council for Relationships write their final paper…

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Owning Your Narrative as A Biracial Person in America

Allen-Michael Lewis, MS, LMFT joined our staff in 2018 and has been working as a couple and family therapist since 2012. He has a specific passion for working with children, teens,…

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WHYY Radio Times Addresses Mental Health in African American Communities

August 30, 2018

August 30, 2018 | WHYY Radio Times ran a program on Mental Health and Black Communities on Monday, August 27.  Marty Moss-Coane’s guests were Philadelphia psychiatrists Delane Casiano and Karriem…

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The Lifelong Benefits of Military Family Life for Adult Children

December 20, 2017

At Council for Relationships, our Staff Therapists come from diverse backgrounds that have shaped their clinical practices. Staff Therapist Rita DeMaria, PhD, LMFT, CST spent her young life abroad in…

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Empowering Minds Globally

June 26, 2017

By Tracey Tanenbaum  Last year Council for Relationships kicked off what will hopefully be a lasting annual tradition. We inaugurated an award in honor of CFR’s founder. Dr. Emily Hartshorne…

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This means opening our hearts; A how-to guide

July 13, 2016

In Dallas this week the President asked us all to open our hearts to one another.  He asked us to remember that each person brings their own inner story to the…

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My View: The Building Brotherhood Mural

April 28, 2016

I greatly appreciate being able to see this mural, entitled Building Brotherhood, from my desk at the University City office of Council for Relationships.  An article about it in WestPhillyLocal.com…

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National Social Work Month: The Work That We Do

March 19, 2015

For the past 12 years, I have been a social worker. I started out working in North Philly at an alternative school for students who were expelled from public schools….

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Racial Conversations: Let the Healing Begin

February 26, 2015

I was really moved and touched by the number of commercials during the Super Bowl this year centering around connection and love. It made me think about how much people…

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