CFAR was founded in 1994 under the name, Center for Growth and Development by Maryann C. Volk. Maryann was a former teacher and principal with the Archdioceses of Philadelphia. During her tenure she became acutely aware of a growing vacuum between struggling children in school and families struggling to survive in the community.
She witnessed families first hand facing serious issues, ones that required greater support than she was able to provide in the context in which she served them. Maryann in her 50's decided to go back to school to obtain a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Shortly after obtaining her degree, with the purchase of a corner row home, CFAR opened its doors to its first client with one room and one therapist.
She witnessed families first hand facing serious issues, ones that required greater support than she was able to provide in the context in which she served them. Maryann in her 50's decided to go back to school to obtain a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Shortly after obtaining her degree, with the purchase of a corner row home, CFAR opened its doors to its first client with one room and one therapist.
Services
CFAR is the only non-profit agency in Philadelphia in which all of our therapists are trained specifically in Marriage and Family therapy. We work off the belief that the whole of a family is greater than the sum of its parts. We do not see one person in the family as the problem but instead view the person acting out as the symptom barrier, acting out as a result of what is going on within the family system.
Lisa Dugan has a long career working with non-profit and government agencies with particular expertise in communications, strategic planning and resource development. She currently serves as the Director of Communications and Advancement at Wonderspring, a nonprofit provider of high-quality early childhood education.
Cheryl is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been working with families in distress for over 20 years. She is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor in Pennsylvania and is working toward a specialization in Early Childhood Trauma. Cheryl's approach to therapy is warm, positive, and empathetic. She believes that most often the negative experiences we have in childhood corrupts our true sense of being.
CFAR, Center for Families and Relationships is a Non Profit organization. We solely rely on grants and outside funds to keep this wonderful organization going. Without the support of so many we would not be where we are today. We want to take this time to thank all of our Sponsors from our many fund raising events as well as Companies and Individuals that support us throughout the year.
CFAR is a place to come when you are not at your best. They will work with you to help you get to a better place in your life and with your family. The staff at CFAR has let me progress at my own pace. It has taken me a while to find my voice but with hard work and the most amazing therapist, I now have self-worth.
Reviews (9)
Lester Hewitt
Jul 28, 2021
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Miracle Moore
May 17, 2021
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Sylvia A.
Dec 19, 2020
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There is NO WAY a new patient has to wait over a month to get a prescription refill. If your particular psychiatrist is out sick for weeks, someone else should be able to pick up the phone and call in a refill. You leave messages for certain people and they NEVER return your call. I can not believe how patients are treated. This is totally UNACCEPTABLE
UPDATE: Spoke to Ryan and he was able to fix all of my concerns. I will say that everyone that I previously spoke to was very nice, Mariam, Zach, Sherry and especially Jamika. It was just a unavoidable situation and I am glad that it's been resolved
UPDATE: Spoke to Ryan and he was able to fix all of my concerns. I will say that everyone that I previously spoke to was very nice, Mariam, Zach, Sherry and especially Jamika. It was just a unavoidable situation and I am glad that it's been resolved
Melanie Guzman
Aug 21, 2019
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Barbara Dunleavy
Jun 02, 2019
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Alex Patreika
Dec 05, 2018
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Victoria Falvey
Dec 04, 2017
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Mom-Ma Bear
Jul 08, 2017
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Janine Solley
Jun 15, 2016
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While I like my niece's therapist, trying to get a return phone call from the psychologist or the office staff is a nightmare. I left 3 messages in 10 days and never received a return call. I spoke to a live person and left 2 voice mails. When I did receive a call back it was to reschedule the appt that I was trying to make sooner. I called office manager to complain, NO response. Completely unprofessional.
