Preserving behavioral health services in Philadelphia
The Council for Relationships was established in 1932 as the Marriage Council of Philadelphia. Its founder, Emily Hartshorne Mudd, was an early pioneer in marriage and family counseling.
Her goal in launching the practice in Philly was to help couples build healthier relationships and provide women with information on birth control, according to the center’s website. A clinical training program was created in 1948 for budding therapists, as well as chaplains and health care providers in the military.
The nonprofit has grown, evolved and expanded over the last several decades. It now offers accreditation, internship and certificate training programs for bachelor’s and master’s-level degree therapists and counselors.
As of May, Council for Relationships employed more than 60 behavioral health providers who saw clients at eight locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as through telehealth.
Sun Point Foundation, which launched about three years ago, is the nonprofit arm of Sun Point Wellness Center, a for-profit company based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that offers individual, couples and family therapy services.
The foundation’s creator, Laura Morse, was already familiar with Council for Relationship’s mission and work, as she had once studied sex therapy there. She jumped at the chance to form a new partnership with the nonprofit.
The Council for Relationship’s Board of Directors announced the deal on May 18. Some board members will stay on to serve on an advisory council to provide guidance through the transition. Jason Anhorn, the most recent former CEO, has moved into the role of chief transition officer.
Sara J. Corse, a clinical psychologist of more than 30 years, will continue in her role as chief clinical officer at Council for Relationships.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to preserving relationship-centered care and ensuring continuity for clients, therapists, and trainees,” Corse said in a statement. “We are focused on maintaining the clinical integrity and mission that have defined CFR for generations.”
As behavioral health organizations around the country face financial, administrative and workforce challenges, Holmes said practices need to think creatively about how to meet patient demand and cover the costs of providing care and supporting staff.
“And I think we’ll have to continue to do that as the health care landscape continues to change,” he said. “But I’m so impressed that we as a team, for Sun Point and CFR, have been able to do this together in a very creative and entrepreneurial way.”