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 burnout. CFR Staff Therapist Lia Pezzato, MFT, offers mental health tips for college students to help manage these common challenges. In this blog, Lia outlines…
Read MoreSeptember 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, MAC, LMFT, a Staff Therapist and Director of the MFT Postgraduate Certificate Program at Council for Relationships, shares her deeply personal experience as a NICU…
Read MorePurity 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 that a person’s worth is tied to their sexual behavior, especially for women and LGBTQ+ individuals. This focus on sexual purity affects how people see…
Read MorePerinatal 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 of these services, detailing the journey of embedding a Council for Relationships (CFR) Therapist within the Stephen Klein Wellness Center in North Philadelphia and the…
Read MorePregnancy 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 about the impending arrival of one’s baby, is a common yet seldom discussed phenomenon. This silence fosters a sense of isolation, shame, and fear, leading…
Read MoreIn 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 blog delves into the struggles against workplace harassment and its profound impact on mental health. Amidst Women’s History Month, we underscore the importance of creating…
Read MoreEmbarking 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 to the struggle to find joy amidst the chaos of parenting. This blog delves into the heart of these experiences, offering insights and practical advice…
Read MoreMany 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, “domestic violence not only affects those who are abused, but also has a substantial effect on family members, friends, co-workers, other witnesses, and the community…
Read MoreFrom 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. The pregnancy reality for new parents is often more complicated than social media wants you to believe. At best, pregnancy is a joyful time for…
Read MoreWhile 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 out for help because they fear burdening those around them. New mothers also wrestle with feelings of guilt and shame for feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed,…
Read MoreWomen’s History Month is a time for us to reflect on the unique experience of women in our history. It is a time to evaluate how that experience has shaped our present reality, and what the implications are for offering programs and services that are both relevant and supportive of women. It is also a…
Read MoreReceiving a breast cancer diagnosis can come with a range of emotions. You might feel surprise, fear, anxiety, and even relief after determining a course of treatment. Friends and family usually try to be supportive, but there is no “one size fits all” way to support someone going through a new health diagnosis. Though breast…
Read MoreKristine Seitz, MEd, MSW, LSW is a staff therapist at Council for Relationships Voorhees. She is a sexuality educator and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Human Sexuality Studies at Widener University. CW: descriptions of sexual violence I believe survivors. Period. End of Sentence. End of paragraph. This should be the end of the story. …
Read MoreElyse Stein Batoff, Psychologist, LMFT has years of experience working in the area of Women’s Psychological Health Services. She has offered the emotional support that has been needed by many women as they go through physical changes and issues ranging from infertility, pregnancy, postpartum depression, sexual concerns, and menopause. Collaboration with physicians such as OB/GYN’s…
Read MoreStaff Therapist Laurel Roe, MS CHR, MFT is one of over 20 clinicians in the Women’s Psychological Health Services program at Council for Relationships. Read on to find out more about the services offered and why CFR staff members are honored to be a part of this new initiative. As a clinician, I know that every…
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