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
I specialize in working with 12 year old clients and older. I work with individuals, couples, and families. I have extensive experience working with substance abuse and addiction, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. I have worked with other clients on a lesser degree that have various other disorders, such eating disorders, sexual disorders, gender identity issues, those on the autism spectr...
Therapy is an invaluable tool for gaining insight into painful experiences, transforming patterns that no longer serve you, and finding peace of mind. Whether you need help with a specific issue or a space to do ongoing healing work, having an objective and trusted guide to stand beside you can be essential. I offer a safe space for you to feel whatever is alive in you. My style as a therapist ...
CURRENTLY FULL-WAITLIST ONLY. Life's struggles may be knocking you down but they don't have to knock you out. Asking for help sometimes takes a leap of faith but taking that first step can make all the difference in the world! I can help you build the emotional resourcefulness needed to break out of a cycle of anxiety and depression or self-destructive ways of coping. If you feel like you are...
Using a holistic approach to therapy, I work with clients to enhance their emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness. I am an active, yet non-judgemental, participant in sessions and assist individuals in accessing emotional strength and joy. Drawing from various therapeutic modalities I assist clients in untangling old stories and building a healthier frame of reference from which to live a...
I have worked with adolescents and adults as a counselor and as an educator for more than 17 years. As a therapist, I use a holistic approach to wellness with an eclectic incorporation of many techniques in mental health and education. I believe in empowering clients in determining their best use of resources to overcome obstacles and achieving their overall wellness and potential. I enjoy work...
I work with adults (18+), providing support and guidance for those navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, depression, life transitions, and personal growth. I aim to create a space of comfort and safety where one can find the courage to look compassionately within. Working at Middlebury College's counseling center, I gained an understanding of the unique stressors that the college...
You feel like you’re drowning in the midst of all the big changes going on in your life. You feel alone and long to deeply connect with others, but you often end up feeling disappointed, unseen, used, or heartbroken. You’re overwhelmed with the transitions happening in your life and the confusing emotions going on inside of you, but you beat yourself up for being "too sensitive”. You’re working...
You're tossing and turning with your mind churning over What Ifs or moments that haunt. You feel stressed or overwhelmed; a sense of dread always lurking in the background. Maybe you're snapping at people or pushing them away. It might seem like everyone else is able to do things so much easier or better. Sometimes it seems like you're moving through thick fog. But it doesn't have to be this wa...
I have spent my career working in a diverse range of settings from emergency rooms to inpatient medical and psychiatric settings. I have spent most of my time working in home based work with children and families facing crisis. I have worked with folks struggling with relationship issues and parenting, depression, anxiety and substance use. I am willing, in some circumstances, to meet with...
I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with teens and their families in both "teen individual: and family therapy. I help to alleviate the trials of school problems and disruptive behaviors. I help the teen and the parents to explore different options to address the unique process of becoming a young adult I also aid couples who are struggling infertility issues to help navigat...
Knowing yourself, loving the skin you're in, and enjoying who you are can be difficult-especially in a culture that seeks to shrink, silence & erase so many folx & identities. Our culture-with it's hierarchies, patriarchy, racism and bigotry-try to keep us small and buying into myths of shame & unworthiness. Whether trying to find yourself, understand a messy relationship, deal with the daily...
What prevents you from living your life with ease and purpose? Maybe you're feeling stressed out, anxious, overwhelmed, and disconnected from yourself and those you feel closest to. You've been able to manage your stress and anxiety by keeping busy and doing for others. Always moving from one thing to the next with little time for yourself now just feels exhausting. You'd like to know yourself...
At IPSS, we provide evidenced-based, trauma-informed care for adults and couples. While each clinician has her own specialties, the clients who find our practice to be a good fit for them typically are struggling with life events from the past that continue to cause distress in the present. Our goal: to work toward helping you cope in the here and now by understanding the effects of earlier lif...
Sometimes we reach a point in our lives where we recognize that the way we've been living is not supportive of the type of life we want to create. Be it struggling with depression, anxiety, life-transition, parenting, relationships, pregnancy, or postpartum, we all need extra support to change, grow, and heal. I help you release old patterns and work through uncomfortable emotions to create mor...
Allison Sheade is a feminist psychodynamic, relational, trauma-focused LCPC in Chicago. Her style is warm, empathic, collaborative, and direct. Allison has an active style, and clients enjoy knowing that she will offer insights, interpretations, and feedback that are effective, helpful, and supportive. Allison has worked in community mental health, at the Women's Center at Northwestern Universi...
