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
You know yourself better than anyone else: your struggles, dreams, desires, goals, feelings, relationships. As a therapist, I help people understand their experiences in a safe and empathic space that promotes growth, healing, and the creative exploration of all areas of life. If you are feeling overwhelmed, lost, sad or anxious, talking together with a professional does help. Are you in an...
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Sonoma County Counseling provides exceptional personalized counseling services for clients of all ages. Sonoma County Counseling was founded with an eye on providing supportive cutting edge therapeutic counseling services to individuals and families, in a professional, welcoming, mindful, inclusive, and enriched environment. We welcome individuals, couples, and families. Sonoma County Counselin...
My PhD training as a counseling psychologist affords me flexibility to support multiple life concerns, and at the root of my work is the belief that relationships are capable of healing. I build strong alliances with those whom I serve in order to best meet client directed goals and foster sustained change. I adhere to evidence-based practices in psychology, and research evidence strongly suppo...
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I help couples looking to repair and renew their relationship and individuals wondering why they're repeating the same relationship patterns. Let me help you create the partnership you deserve. I specialize in working with individuals and couples who are struggling in their relationships. I will help you recognize and change reoccurring patterns that can chip away at feelings of closeness,...
In my practice, I aim to create a comfortable space within which to explore emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral difficulties. I work with children, adolescents and adults in individual, couple, and family psychotherapy. Through a collaborative process, I help patients discover connections between problematic patterns of thinking and relating, and the ongoing challenges they face. These...
I believe we are all equipped with the resources to navigate our way to fulfillment. Sometimes life's challenges overwhelm us and we need some extra support. Sometimes hurts from long ago arise and get in our way. I will guide you in uncovering your inner strengths by providing a safe environment where we will engage in meaningful conversations about your emotional life. By exploring areas of b...
I provide affirmative psychodynamic psychotherapy to LGBTQIA+ individuals, with special experience with gender identity issues. I use a trauma-informed, inclusive, anti-racist approach with individuals of all intersecting racial, cultural, religious and socioeconomic experiences. In a world that is not always accepting of difference, I strive to foster an empathetic and judgement-free space to...
I have 12 years of experience working with wonderful children with difficult behaviors and struggles, such as anxiety, ADHD, ASD, depression, and loss. I have the unique combination of a doctoral education and training in Child Directed Play Therapy. I have trained at the Brown University Center for the Study of Children at Risk, acted as a consultant for Head Start, and interned at UMass. I ha...
Life is challenging you and you're feeling anxious and depressed, looking for support takes courage. The poet, Rumi says "[We] are born with wings so why do [we] prefer to crawl through life?" My job as your therapist is to help you find your "wings." Many of us are cocooned in trauma or angst of some sort waiting for that moment to emerge in our own beautiful unique ways. As your therapist, I...
