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Category » Women’s Issues

A somber image of a woman looking down with her arms crossed, expressing deep sadness. The text on the image reads: “Council for Relationships. Pregnancy & Infant Loss. A new blog by Amy Jones, MSW, MFT, LCSW & Betsy Roy.” The image represents the emotional weight of pregnancy and infant loss and the grieving process that follows such traumatic loss.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness

October 29, 2025
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Each October, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month offers space to reflect on the grieving process and honor families who have experienced traumatic loss. This piece explores the emotional realities…

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Illustration of a woman curled up in water beneath the title “Birth Trauma: A Story of Survival, Vulnerability & Healing,” representing postpartum depression, birth plan trauma, and perinatal mental health recovery.

Birth Trauma: A Story of Survival, Vulnerability & Healing

May 22, 2025

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….

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Illustration of diverse women standing and raising their arms over large text that reads “Women’s Mental Health Care in 2025.” Council for Relationships logo appears below on a purple background. This alt text is under 300 characters, includes the primary keyword (women’s mental health care), and maintains accessibility best practices. Let me know if you'd like a version tailored for social media or embedded HTML.

Mental Health Care for Women in 2025

May 13, 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…

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Black and white image of a woman in a hat looking up with her arms raised. Text overlay reads: “EMDR Therapy for Sexual Assault and Negative Cognitions. A new blog by Amy Jones, MSW, MFT, LCSW. Council for Relationships.”

EMDR Therapy for Sexual Assault and Negative Cognitions

April 29, 2025

Sexual assault is a deeply traumatic experience that can leave lasting emotional and psychological scars. Survivors often carry invisible wounds that affect their daily lives, relationships, and sense of safety….

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Emily Mudd: Celebrating the Founder of Council for Relationships | Part One

March 12, 2025

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…

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How to Practice Mindfulness with Council for Relationships: Typewriter printing the word 'Mindfulness' on paper, representing mindfulness techniques to support mental health and well-being.

How to Practice Mindfulness: A Woman’s Guide

November 14, 2024

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…

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Young college student in a relaxed pose, representing the focus on mental health. The image includes text that reads 'Council for Relationships - Managing Anxiety & Burnout: Mental Health Tips for College Students' by Lia Pezzato, MFT. The background features a calm indoor setting with books and plants, emphasizing a supportive environment for managing stress.

Managing Anxiety & Burnout: Mental Health Tips for College Students

October 2, 2024

Many students feel the weight of balancing classes, extracurriculars, and social activities as the school year progresses. While some may navigate these demands with ease, others struggle with anxiety and…

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NICU Moms: A mother looks at her newborn in an incubator in the NICU. Text overlay reads 'NICU Moms: Coping with Trauma & Finding Support' by Jamie Rose, MAC, LMFT. Council for Relationships logo is at the bottom.

NICU Moms: Coping with Trauma & Finding Support

September 27, 2024

September is NICU Awareness Month, a time when NICU moms reflect on the emotional and mental toll of having a child in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Jamie Rose,…

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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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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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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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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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Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2023

October 3, 2023

Many believe that the effects of domestic violence are limited to the abuser and the victim, but as the U.S. Department of Justice’s own Office on Violence Against Women states,…

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New Parents, Social Media & Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

March 21, 2023

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….

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Benefits of Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Groups

March 9, 2023

While becoming a new mother is rewarding, the journey is riddled with constant change, uncertainty, feelings of doubt, fear, and isolation. New mothers often fear voicing their needs or reaching…

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