Courdea was originally founded as Project RAP (Reduce Abuses of Power) in 1984 as a program of Family Services of Philadelphia.  Project RAP was created in close consultation with regional domestic violence survivors’ advocates, and Courdea continues to collaborate with advocacy efforts today.

In 1994, the program was reestablished as an independent treatment program with a new name, Menergy. Since then the program has steadily grown to include training and consultation programs, research, services for Spanish-speaking clients, and contracts that allow us to serve people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

In 2016, Menergy established a general therapy program. In 2020 Menergy became Courdea (core-DAY-uh), several syllables taken from a quote hanging for many years in the office. The quote, “Courage, dear heart,” serves as a reminder that any time someone comes to our program they are taking a courageous step, and that our goal is to meet that courage with respect and warmth. The switch away from the name Menergy was in recognition that although we continue to see many men, for many years we have also worked with women and increasingly see people who do not fit a gender binary.

Our services continue to expand and evolve upon the foundation of what we do best:  identify and challenge harmful behavior in relationships for the sake of lasting change and peace.