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
My name is Liz Michaud, LMFT with DOT Center: Oakland. I provide humanistic, in-depth psychotherapy to help my clients experience personal growth, and deepen their understanding of themselves and others. My approach is non-judgmental and is aimed at helping clients feel seen and heard with kindness. I support the cultivation of hope and resiliency in my clients while moving through life’s...
I have been treating individuals, couples, and children of all ages for over 20 years. I have written 3 books on how to do psychotherapy covering such topics as anxiety and panic attacks, depression, physical health problems and chronic pain. I am a national workshop leader to train therapists. I have extensive experience with marriage counseling, behavioral problems of teenagers and young...
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them" (Albert Einstein). This quotation captures the essence of my approach to therapy. When we find ourselves depressed, anxious, in relational conflicts,or struggling with life's curve balls and challenges, we need look no further than to our long held perceptions and thought patterns. I would like the opportunity to...
My focus is trauma resolution and the innate ability a person has to recover and heal. In my practice I use the tools that may serve you best, to support your healing process and your ability to tap into your unlimited potential and life purpose. I hold a safe container, for you to remember your innate ability to heal, restore and thrive. My practice is based on research and studies in Somatic...
Life can be tough. Sometimes, stress, trauma and information overload keep us from becoming who we want to be. Goals might get confused. Sometimes we lose our way. In an environment free from judgment, blaming or shaming, we will create safe space for you to set goals and assist you in developing the tools and skills that will help you attain them. I will treat you with compassion and dignity a...
Hello! I work with clients seeking support with stress management, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and navigating grief and/or transition. By offering a safe space to reflect, our sessions focus on helping you gain insight, reduce stress and anxiety, set goals, create change, and highlight strengths. We collaborate to deepen self-understanding and self-compassion, expand coping skills...
Are you struggling with thoughts, emotions, memories, grief, loss, trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, panic, anger, feeling stuck, or worried about your relationships? My therapy practice is based on a belief that everyone has a unique history with many experiences that shape and transform our ways of being and interactions. Each person is beautiful and whole with a powerful story. So many...
You may be at a place in life you never expected or wanted, but you are taking the brave step to make a change by seeking help. I'm Sharon, and I believe no one should ever feel alone while journeying through the inevitable hard times, nor should anyone go without trying clinically effective interventions that promote growth. I offer compassionate, non-judgmental, value-driven, services to addr...
We can all benefit from mindfulness and self compassion. Did you grow up with a narcissist or a substance abuser? Have you ever suspected that you were being emotionally abused by a parent, partner (current or former), boss or friend? Are you always second guessing yourself? If you find yourself stuck repeating the same mistakes over and over again in relationships at work or in life, you're no...
I AM CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS DUE tO COVID-19 I AM PROVIDING TELEHEALTH AND TELEPHONE CRISIS SESSIONS. Are you struggling with depression, anxiety or mood dysregulation? Is it affecting the quality of your relationships with others? I work with people of all ages ranging from five years and older. Individuals, kids, families, teens, adults and couples are all welcome. I am DBT certified ...
Welcome! I work with couples as well as individual adults and teens who want to heal and grow. My clients include people of all gender expressions and sexual orientations. Some of the issues that I have experience with include relationship challenges, depression, anxiety, trauma, and sexuality. With adults and teens, I use a combination of psychodynamic and contemplative approaches to create th...
I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience counseling adults and adolescents in psychotherapy. I help clients who struggle with anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, body image problems, trauma and grief. I also help clients with stress-management, marital/relationship issues, parent guidance, life transitions, and self-care. My approach is client centere...
I want to create a relationship with my clients based on trust, mutual respect, and unconditional regard. I feel that if I can create this environment I can more deeply connect with others and hope to see things from their perspective. I believe that people have the inner capacity for change, and I want to help them be more able to readily access this. This can look different based on each pers...
Hello. Maybe you feel anxious, sad, or numb but don't know why or believe you don't really have a reason to feel those things. Maybe you push others away when you really want them to come closer. I'm passionate about building a relationship with you that helps increase insight into these internal conflicts, gaining a sense of peace and more ease in being yourself. It can be intimidating to call...
***formerly Melissa Mamatas*** Life has a peculiar way of setting us on paths that we never expected to travel. For some, this means finding yourself "stuck", lost, lonely, depressed, or anxious. Others find themselves struggling with a major life transition, health condition, or traumatic life event or loss they never imagined experiencing and now not getting the support they need to move...
