What is Feminist Psychotherapy?

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Feminist Psychotherapy emerged as an approach to counseling as the waves of feminism gained popularity in mainstream western society. It examines the unique way women relate to the world around them after being seen as inferior to men for many generations. It’s also a response to the once male-dominated field of psychotherapy as a whole.

Feminist therapists aim to treat all genders as equally deserving of respect and dignity and accept. They believe in the historical marginalization of all genders besides males.

Critical to Feminist Psychotherapy is an analysis of power dynamics. Power dynamics are inherent in any relationship, specifically within the counseling relationship. Usually, a counselor is an “expert” with high levels of education and status. The client then is thought to be less than. Feminist Psychotherapy, instead of ignoring this power dynamic or using it to their advantage to tell clients what they ought to do, seeks to highlight it and converse about it. Bringing up how the power dynamics affect the counseling relationship helps people examine the power dynamics in all other areas of their life.

Feminist Psychotherapy can be helpful for a range of mental health concerns, can be utilized for a person of any gender identity, and can be used in group settings, family settings, or individual counseling.

Critical to Feminist Psychotherapy is the idea that people grow through relationships with others. Your therapist might help you analyze your patterns of relating to significant others in your life and might ask you to recall some of your early relationships with parents or other caregivers.

Feminist Psychotherapy does not have a list of techniques necessary for treatment. It focuses on the ideas of empathetically relating to you, from one human being (your counselor) to another (you). A healthy relationship with your counselor becomes a model for all of your relationships.

Therapists Who Specialize in Using Feminist Psychotherapy

Julia Forberg

San Francisco

California

Are you a woman longing for clarity and ease? I help women who feel hopeless and anxious about their lives feel more empowered in their relationships, self-esteem, and careers. Together, you'll learn the tools to understand the meaning underneath your emotions and move beyond feeling stuck and overwhelmed. Using both talk therapy and somatic (body-based) tools, therapy is a place for you to hea...

Forrest Merrill

Portland

Oregon

I have experience working with adults and couples from various diverse backgrounds. Using a collaborative, relational approach I help you with your struggles with anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, multicultural identity concerns, and life transitions. The foundation of my approach focuses on developing a shared understanding of your current struggles and how persona...

Elizabeth Diaz

Chicago

Illinois

I specialize in treating individuals who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety (including performance anxiety), depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). I have experience working with individuals who have experienced or been witness to severe trauma including sexual abuse, childhood abuse, traumatic loss, birth trauma, loss of a parent, etc. Additionally, I am trained in working w...
Total Family Solutions provides strength based individualized therapy that supports the unique needs of each individual. Treatment is guided by a strength based approach. Services offered include individual, family and couples therapy. Total Family Solutions has four locations; Avenel- Middlesex County, Vineland- Cumberland County, Voorhees- Camden County and West Orange- Essex County New Jerse...

Jessica Sharib

Austin

Texas

Are you spending an excessive amount of time worrying? Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? Dealing with anxiety, depression, professional concerns as a result of COVID and social distancing? My approach to therapy draws on elements of mindfulness and CBT. Together we will identify thought patterns or behaviors that result in negative emotions and we will address them. Session are conducted via...

Jody Eichhorn Davis

Columbus

Ohio

Hello, my name is Jody and I am an Out Transgender Woman living in Columbus, Ohio. I am here to help you with your mental health concerns, especially if they are related issues of identity and belonging. Especially if your worries have to do with self-esteem, anxiety, fitting in, or with sexuality or gender. I haven't been everywhere but I've been around the block with my own struggles and am a...
Serenity Counseling Center provides a safe, confidential opportunity for people to experience victory over life's difficulties by using counseling framework and an environment for counselors and counselors in training. Serenity Counseling Center was established in 2007. It's our purpose of Serenity to equip individuals, couples, and families with coping skills for life's issues that are...

Cher Hamilton-Tekautz

Chicago

Illinois

I help people with a critical inner voice develop acceptance and compassion for themselves. My specialities include trauma, anxiety, depression, codependency, finding life/work balance, and providing LGBTQ+ affirming services. I've worked with many folks who grew up with alcoholism or substance abuse in the home, parents who fought often, and those who felt like they had to walk on egg shells....
Seeking support takes courage. The burdens of life may become too heavy for us to carry alone or the pain too great to sustain in silence. Hurtful relationships, abuse, negative self-judgments & unresolved past experiences can impact our ability to bounce back from difficulties. I will strive to create a relationship that feels healing, is respectful, where you feel you have an ally and empower...
I believe that we all have great potential and with help, we can achieve our personal goals. The therapeutic process is to help you to become your best self. I love to join with my clients in this process. I have over 30 years of experience working with individuals and groups, specializing in trauma and recovery issues, domestic violence, grief and sex addiction. My experience provides me with ...
Many people avoid seeking help for fear that they or their children will be labeled. My motto is: "Peel off the labels and see the person underneath." I believe you are a person with unique needs, strengths, and challenges, that there are complex reasons you are living the life you are living today - AND, you can improve. Emotional pain and problems are just as natural and normal as physical pa...
30 years of experience working with adults with depression, anxiety and relationship issues. Specializations include couples/relationship therapy, GLBTQ, parenting issues and art/creativity issues....
Maybe you are an adult, teen or child struggling with life challenges, difficulty managing emotions, behaviors or negative thoughts, lacking support or have an abusive family or relationship. You might be a mom (or a dad) experiencing depression or anxiety during pregnancy or after your child's birth. Or maybe you are feeling so overwhelmed and in pain that you can't see a way through and are...
"The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow." I'm passionate about working with adults and couples who are seeking to overcome life challenges and live a fulfilling life. I strive to create a supportive, safe, and non-judgmental environment that encourages insight and self-awareness and enhances the self-discovery process. I will empower you to make positive...
I believe in the innate power each of us possesses to heal. Beginning with a gentle exploration of your story, your sense awareness and your feeling world, I seek to find a mutually agreed upon place to begin deeper work together. I hold close to embodiment (breath/gesture/sensation); creativity (playfulness/curiosity/possibility); and compassion (non-judgment/empathy/connection): all these are...