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
None of us enter this world with a User's Manual. When something goes wrong in our lives, where can we turn for help? I sometimes think of psychotherapy as an IT helpdesk for mental health related "technical problems." My approach is kind and gentle; only in a warm and safe environment are we free explore our problems and develop solutions. For over fifteen years now I have been a licensed...
Life is complicated. You may be feeling lost or overwhelmed right now. Having someone to talk to may be the difference between overcoming your challenges or letting them dictate your life. I work to create a warm, welcoming, and respectful environment so you can focus on finding solutions and having the life you want. Many of my clients, individuals and couples, are working on relationship and...
My approach is based on curiosity about (and deep compassion for) the ways individuals and couples make sense of themselves and their own stories. I am amazed by the power of relationship as a path to self-discovery and relief. My clinical focus is that of parents of teenagers (middle school-college age) who might need extra support or a fresh perspective in order to better navigate struggles t...
Are you battling anxiety or depression and feel like you're 'just getting through' the day? I'm here to help you to find strength, hope, and motivation. My name is Lydia and I recently opened a private practice called Enlightened Therapy. I started this practice because I had a vision for a therapeutic atmosphere of safety, support, and empowerment. I operate utilizing evidence-based practices...
Are you feeling stuck? I help clients move forward with an approach that is warm, down to earth and gently challenging. We will identify negative patterns that are holding you back in your life and build upon your core strengths and values so you can take practical steps toward living a more fulfilling life. You may be struggling with overwhelming stress, loss or trauma. If so, without minimizi...
All people have the capacity to face challenges and respond to difficult times and feelings. If you suffer with ruminations, depression, anxiety, or even that nagging voice that says that you aren't "good enough," I can help you find happiness and peace. I have an integrative style that combines various forms of behavioral therapies, including CBT and ACT. I love helping patients use mindfulnes...
**Currently keeping a small waitlist** My goal is to support the whole person in their desire to identify strengths, address their struggles, and to encourage growth. My relational approach includes helping create a safe place in which you feel like you can start the change process. Issues range from impulsivity, anxiety, emotional regulation, unhealthy coping tools, and difficulties working...
I specialize in menstrual & sexual empowered embodiment from the depths up & out. If you're struggling with PMS/PMDD, sexual trauma, desire, or your embodied identity in relationship to ideas of womanhood, fertility, or the feminine, this work has healing & transformative value for you. I guide you in sustaining your authentic, empowered, & embodied self in your daily life. My practice,...
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); National Certified Counselor; Substance Abuse Counselor; National Certified Anger Management Specialist. I have specialized training from UTA School of Social Work in Gerontology. I enjoy working with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger concerns and domestic violence. Fees are affordable, convenient service times are offered wi...
The heart of my work as a therapist is helping my clients transform their relationships with others as well as with themselves to a healthy, empowering and meaningful ones. I've been in practice over a decade providing therapy to individuals, couples families and groups. I'm informed by research based therapy methods including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Functional Analytic Psychother...
Do you want to develop your authentic emotional and creative voice? Are you facing inner forces you don't understand or know how to relate to? Do you feel stuck in patterns you can see but don't know how to change? What keeps you from being who you are--shame, past traumas, identity struggles? Is it time to look inside for what's been missing outside? I am passionate about the process of...
I believe that with support and the right therapeutic relationship you can make the changes you want in your life. I hold a certificate from the Sexual Health Certificate Program at the University of Michigan in Sex Therapy. I work with folks who want to fully experience sexual pleasure, but aren't sure how. This may be related to sexual pain, sexual trauma, or an upbringing lacking education...
I am an experienced psychotherapist with offices in both San Francisco and Berkeley. I provide therapy for adults and adolescents as my primary focus. I meet with individuals, couples, and families to help them overcome areas of emotional and relational difficulties. I have an active, open way of working and am curious, engaged, honest, and direct. I take people's need for change very seriously...
Time and Again ...we give our best efforts to rediscovering the marvelous qualities common to the early stages of falling in love and to evoking the richer dimensions of family life, and yet... We end up ...confused and disappointed, broken-hearted, enraged and ready to quit. Why? Because ...few of us were taught how to cultivate the emotional resources and practical skills for negotiating the...
