BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Council for Relationships - ECPv6.16.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://councilforrelationships.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Council for Relationships REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T193000 DTSTAMP:20260526T114054 CREATED:20260116T193824Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260116T194410Z UID:10000151-1775757600-1775763000@councilforrelationships.org SUMMARY:Couples Workshop Series: PREP 8.0 for Stronger Communication DESCRIPTION:Stronger Together is a couples workshop built on PREP 8.0\, a research-supported relationship education program. Over 10 weeks\, couples learn practical skills to communicate more clearly\, handle conflict with care\, and strengthen commitment and friendship. Rather than “talking about” your relationship in general terms\, you’ll learn tools you can use in real conversations—especially when stress\, misunderstandings\, or recurring disagreements show up. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Couples workshop details: PREP 8.0 series\nDates\, time\, and cost\n\nStart date: Thursday\, April 9\, 2026\nMeets: Thursdays\, 6:00–7:30 PM\nLength: 10 sessions (10-week series)\nFormat: In person\nCost: $30 per couple per session ($300 total per couple)\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register Today\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Couples workshop overview: What PREP 8.0 helps you build?\n Couples workshop overview: What PREP 8.0 helps you build?\nPREP 8.0 focuses on the habits that protect closeness over time. So\, this couples workshop gives you a clear structure to practice new skills\, not just hear ideas. Each session combines short teaching segments with interactive exercises\, video examples of common unhelpful patterns\, and guided practice time for you and your partner. Additionally\, you’ll receive optional between-session exercises so you can try the tools at home and bring questions back to the group. \nWhat makes the PREP 8.0 couples workshop unique\nPREP 8.0 was developed from decades of research on what helps couples thrive across life transitions. Because the program stays skills-based\, you’ll build a practical “toolkit” that supports both day-to-day connection and tougher moments. For example\, you’ll learn how to slow down heated conversations\, stay on the same team during conflict\, and repair after a hard moment so small issues don’t turn into ongoing distance. You’ll also focus on protecting friendship and commitment\, because strong relationships need both warmth and teamwork. \n \n \n \n \n \n What you’ll learn in this PREP 8.0 couples workshop?\n What you’ll learn in this PREP 8.0 couples workshop?\nAcross the series\, you’ll practice strategies that can help you feel more understood\, more connected\, and more confident in how you handle challenges together. Topics include: \n\nCommunication skills that reduce defensiveness and increase understanding\nTeamwork strategies for problem-solving and decision-making\nConflict management that protects closeness and respect\nCommitment and friendship-building practices\nEmotional support skills for stressful seasons\nRepair and forgiveness tools to help you move forward after conflict\nConversation practices that support physical intimacy and connection\n\nBecause practice matters\, you’ll get time each session to apply the skills to your own relationship in a guided way. \n \n \n \n \n \n Who this couples workshop is for?\n Who this couples workshop is for?\nThis PREP 8.0 couples workshop welcomes couples who want to strengthen their relationship—whether you’re feeling stuck in a few recurring patterns or you simply want skills that can help you navigate future challenges with more ease. You do not need to be married to attend. Additionally\, couples in many relationship structures may find the content helpful and relevant. \nFor safety and group fit\, the workshop is not a fit when there is active infidelity or intimate partner violence (IPV). If you have questions about fit\, you can share them when you register\, and our team will follow up. \n \n \n \n \n \n Facilitator\n Facilitator\nThe series is facilitated by Sarah Turk Karan\, a certified PREP 8.0 instructor and Clinical Intern. She brings a structured\, skills-focused approach designed to help couples practice new ways of relating with clarity and care. \nIf you’re ready for practical tools\, guided practice\, and a supportive setting\, register today for Stronger Together—our PREP 8.0 couples workshop series. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration Form\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Name(Required)\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email(Required)\n \n Enter Email\n \n \n \n Confirm Email\n \n \n \n Would you like to sign up for our newsletter?\n \n \n Yes\n \n \n \n No\n Your Phone Number(Required)Partner's Name(Required)\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last URL:https://councilforrelationships.org/event/couples-workshop-series-prep-8-0/ LOCATION:Council For Relationships\, 4025 Chestnut Street\, Philadelphia\, PA\, 19104\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshops for the General Public ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://councilforrelationships.org/wp-content/uploads/Feature-GE-Stronger-Together.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260217T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260217T143000 DTSTAMP:20260526T114054 CREATED:20251209T164458Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251211T205940Z UID:10000148-1771333200-1771338600@councilforrelationships.org SUMMARY:Support Groups for College Students DESCRIPTION:Support Groups for College Students\n(In-Person\, Free) \n\nFinding Your Community Through Support Groups for College Students\nCollege is supposed to be exciting\, but it can also feel exhausting\, lonely\, or confusing in ways you didn’t expect. Support groups for college students offer something that most of us don’t get enough of: a place to be honest without feeling judged. If you’ve been overwhelmed by stress\, unsure how to adjust to campus life\, or carrying feelings you don’t want to burden your friends with\, this free support group led by CFR Clinical Interns Ally Wolk and Sophia Russi gives you a space to breathe\, talk\, and feel understood by people who get it. \nWhy This Group Matters\nBalancing classes\, relationships\, identity questions\, work\, and future goals can leave you feeling stretched thin. Many students want help but run into long counseling waitlists or feel unsure about making a one-on-one appointment. Ally has seen these barriers up close in her work as a peer wellness coach\, and she created this group so students can get support that feels accessible\, welcoming\, and real. \nResearch backs this up: peer-based support can reduce stress\, increase connection\, and improve overall mental health for college students. A study from the National Library of Medicine found that students in structured support groups reported stronger resilience and lower feelings of isolation. \nWhat CFR’s Support Groups for College Students Offer\nEach week includes guided reflection\, open conversation\, and practical coping tools you can actually use in daily campus life. This group centers emotional safety\, community\, and personal growth — helping you feel more grounded\, more connected\, and less alone in what you’re navigating. \nDetails\n\nBegins: Tuesday\, February 17\, 2026\nTime: Tuesdays from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm for 8 sessions\nLocation: Council for Relationships – University City\nCost: Free\n\n\nRegister Below to Join the Group\nIf you’re looking for a supportive place to talk\, connect\, and feel heard\, complete the registration form below. This reserves your spot and helps us prepare a welcoming\, meaningful experience for you. \n\n \n Name(Required)\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email(Required)\n \n Enter Email\n \n \n \n Confirm Email\n \n \n \n Phone(Required)Pronouns(Required)Date of Birth(Required)\n \n MM slash DD slash YYYY\n \n College\, University\, or School(Required)CFR NewslettersI would like to sign up for CFR's email newsletters for blogs\, referrals\, and news. Yes URL:https://councilforrelationships.org/event/support-groups-for-college-students-council-for-relationships/ LOCATION:Council For Relationships\, 4025 Chestnut Street\, Philadelphia\, PA\, 19104\, United States CATEGORIES:Support & Therapy Groups ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://councilforrelationships.org/wp-content/uploads/FeatureL-SG-College-Students.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T193000 DTSTAMP:20260526T114054 CREATED:20251210T175706Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251211T205832Z UID:10000150-1770660000-1770665400@councilforrelationships.org SUMMARY:Seasonal Depression Group Therapy in Philadelphia DESCRIPTION:Winter in Philadelphia can bring shorter days\, colder weather\, and a heaviness that’s hard to name. Many adults notice their energy shift\, their motivation drop\, or their sense of connection fade — even if they’re not sure whether what they’re experiencing is seasonal depression. This in-person group therapy offers a warm\, grounded space to reconnect with yourself and others during the months when isolation and sadness can settle in. \nSessions take place at CFR’s University City office\, giving participants a chance to step out of their routines and into a supportive environment built for connection. \n\n\nWhy Seasonal Depression Deserves Care and Attention\nSeasonal depression can show up in many ways — low mood\, fatigue\, irritability\, difficulty concentrating\, or a desire to withdraw from others. While these experiences are common during winter\, they can still feel overwhelming or confusing. \nThis group is built on the belief that people heal in community. When winter makes it harder to stay connected\, having a space to talk openly\, reflect\, and feel understood can make a meaningful difference. Here\, you don’t need a formal diagnosis to belong. If the season feels heavy\, you’re welcome. \nThis group also integrates the strengths of interpersonal process work\, which helps participants understand emotional patterns\, practice communication skills\, and explore how they relate to others. These insights can ease isolation and support more grounded\, authentic connection — especially during the winter months when people often feel cut off from their usual supports. \n\n\nWho This In-Person Philadelphia Group Therapy for Seasonal Depression Is For\nThis group is designed for adults in the Philadelphia region who may experience: \n\nSeasonal depression or winter-related sadness\nLoneliness or difficulty staying connected\nLow motivation or persistent fatigue\nEmotional heaviness during the winter\nBarriers to building or maintaining supportive relationships\nA desire for community\, routine\, or authentic connection\n\nYou are welcome whether you have lived with seasonal depression for years or are simply noticing that winter feels harder than it used to. \nWhat to Expect in This Seasonal Depression Group Therapy Experience\nThis is an interpersonal process group\, meaning that connection itself is part of the healing. Each week\, participants will have the opportunity to: \n\nBuild insight into emotional patterns\nStrengthen communication skills\nExplore how relationships affect mood and wellbeing\nPractice relating to others with more openness and clarity\nMove through barriers that make connection feel difficult\nExperience warmth\, community\, and support during a challenging season\n\nThe group centers on authenticity\, curiosity\, and the power of showing up as you are. Ria and Ian will guide the process with care\, structure\, and attention to emotional safety. \n\n\nSeasonal Depression Group Therapy Details\n\nLocation: Council for Relationships — University City Office (Philadelphia)\nFormat: In-person group therapy\nBegins: February 9\, 2026\nSchedule: Mondays from 6:00–7:30 PM for 10 sessions\nCost: $30 per session\nEligibility: Adults in the Philadelphia region\n\nAll participants will receive additional details after registering. \nRia Alfonso \nIan Kosten \nMeet Your Co-Facilitators\nThis group is co-facilitated by Ria Alfonso and Ian Kosten\, two CFR Clinical Interns committed to creating inclusive\, compassionate\, and meaningful therapeutic spaces. Their collaborative approach supports participants in building connection\, developing insight\, and finding grounding during a difficult season. \nSessions are supervised by a Licensed CFR Staff Therapist to ensure high-quality care. \nHave Questions? Contact Us\nIf you’re unsure whether seasonal depression is what you’re experiencing\, or if you want to talk through whether this group is a good fit\, Ria and Ian are happy to connect. \n\nRia Alfonso: ralfonso@councilforrelationships.org\nIan Kosten: ikosten@councilforrelationships.org\n\n\n\nReady to Join? Register for the Group Therapy Program\nComplete the form below to reserve your spot for the February 9\, 2026 cohort. Space is limited to support a meaningful group experience. \n\n \n Name(Required)\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email(Required)\n \n Enter Email\n \n \n \n Confirm Email\n \n \n \n Phone(Required)Pronouns(Required)Date of Birth(Required)\n \n MM slash DD slash YYYY\n \n Zip Code(Required)CFR NewslettersI would like to sign up for CFR's email newsletters for blogs\, referrals\, and news. Yes URL:https://councilforrelationships.org/event/philadelphia-seasonal-depression-group-therapy/ LOCATION:Council For Relationships\, 4025 Chestnut Street\, Philadelphia\, PA\, 19104\, United States CATEGORIES:Support & Therapy Groups ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://councilforrelationships.org/wp-content/uploads/Featured-TG-Seasonal-Depression.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251029T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251029T160000 DTSTAMP:20260526T114054 CREATED:20250611T204836Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250808T142003Z UID:10000070-1761742800-1761753600@councilforrelationships.org SUMMARY:Treating Stressed Out Couples: Interventions to Help Partners Navigate Stress & Improve Their Relationship DESCRIPTION:As a couples therapist\, you’ve likely worked with clients who are either withdrawn or too dysregulated to engage in productive conversations. Sessions may start with frazzled\, angry\, or numb partners\, and just as progress begins\, emotions escalate or shut down entirely. \nOutside of therapy\, these couples are often overwhelmed—juggling parenting\, work demands\, caregiving\, finances\, and health concerns. The weight of these stressors seeps into their relationships\, making it even harder to communicate and connect. \nTraditional interventions like active listening and compromise may fall flat\, leaving couples stuck in session and struggling at home. Over time\, they may lose faith in therapy altogether. \nThis training will help you recognize the role of stress in these dynamics and equip you with practical strategies to keep sessions on track—so you can feel effective again and help couples rebuild connection. \nRegister Today\n\nLearning Objectives\n\nUpon completion of this session\, participants will be able to assess the role and impact of stress when clients present with dysregulation in session.\nUpon completion of this session\, participants will be able to develop strategies to help both partners take accountability for the role they play in their own stress.\nUpon completion of this session\, participants will be able to demonstrate use of a three-part system for helping couples manage stress within and outside the relationship.\n\nAdditional Details\n\nInstructors: Elizabeth Earnshaw\, LMFT\nDate: Wednesday\, October 29\, 2025\nTime: 1:00 – 4:00 PM EST\nLocation: Hybrid Event: Online & In-Person\nContinuing Education Credits: 3\nTarget Audience: This educational activity is intended for behavioral health professionals\, including Psychologists\, Social Workers\, Counselors\, and MFT’s.\n\nLearning Levels: Beginner\nRegistration Link: https://council-for-relationships.ce-go.com/treating-stressed-out-couples\n\n\n\nCFR is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CFR maintains responsibility for this program and its content. URL:https://councilforrelationships.org/event/treating-stressed-out-couples-interventions-to-help-partners-navigate-stress-improve-their-relationship/ LOCATION:Council For Relationships\, 4025 Chestnut Street\, Philadelphia\, PA\, 19104\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshops for Clergy,Workshops for Mental Health Professionals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://councilforrelationships.org/wp-content/uploads/Featured-Workshop-Treating-Stressed-Out-Couples-Interventions-to-Help-Partners-Navigate-Stress-and-Improve-Their-Relationship-2.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR