Feminist therapy
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Feminist therapy is a set of related therapies arising from the disparity between the origin of most psychological theories and the majority of people seeking counseling being female. It focuses on societal, cultural, and political causes and solutions to issues faced in the counseling process. It openly encourages the client to participate in the world in a more social and political way.
Shared concepts in feminist therapy
Feminist therapy has emerged from the recognition that much of human suffering is a result of the unequal distribution of power in society, particularly based upon gender, race and ethnicity, class, dis/ability, sexual orientation, and so forth. These power differentials have been a factor in direct injuries such as sexual assault as well as indirect ones such as limited options. A feminist approach implies a commitment to social change. The practice of feminist therapy is thus politicized in both its theoretical understanding of the causes of injury as well as in its enactment. A collaborative and respectful working relationship is therefore at the foundation of feminist therapy. [1]
- The personal is political
- Personal and social identities are interdependent
- Conventional distress and "mental illness" concepts are challenged
- The role of oppression is central
- The counseling relationship is egalitarian
- Women's perspectives are valued
Principal styles of feminist therapies
The principal styles noted here correspond to different types of feminism[2].
- Liberal
- Cultural
- Radical
- Socialist
- Postmodern
- Women of color
- Lesbian
- Global-international
Goals of therapy
Five principal goals of therapy exist[3]
- Equality
- Balancing independence and interdependence
- Empowerment
- Self-nurturance
- Valuing diversity
Therapeutic strategies
The following strategies are typical of feminist therapy[2].
- Empowerment
- Self-disclosure
- Gender-role analysis
- Gender-role intervention
- Power analysis and power intervention
- Bibliotherapy
- Assertiveness training
- Reframing and relabeling
- Group work
- Social action
Contributors to feminist therapy
Sources
- ↑ Worell, J. & Remer, P. Feminist perspectives in therapy: Empowering diverse women. Second Ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003
- ↑ Cite error 8; No text given.
- ↑ Carol Enns, Feminist theories and feminist psychotherapies: Origins, themes, and diversity, Second Ed., Haworth, 2004
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
