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
Do you find that you regularly battle with your body and brain? Second guessing what to say, ashamed of your body, and judgmental of your thoughts? Do you utilize food to avoid emotionally or to force your body into a different look? Is trauma impacting your relationships? You are not alone. Health is not a static place to achieve that defines who you are as a person, rather it is a continuum w...
Empowerment to live confidently in your identities begins with a trusting relationship. My work is to guide, mentor, and support you in your process of learning and using your own strength and wisdom. I specialize in centering and affirming the experiences of people of color, including those with LGBTQ+ genders and sexualities. I understand that oppressed identities inform our lives,...
We offer confidential psychological counseling and assessment services to individuals, couples and families in the greater Santa Barbara area. Experienced counselors are here to help clients explore life transitions, relationship issues and a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, abuse, compulsive behaviors, substance use, job loss and stress, aging, isolati...
You've finally decided: you're tired of repeating the patterns that leave you feeling stuck, frustrated and disconnected. Sure, you've done well for yourself in a lot of ways. But then something happened that shook it all up. Maybe it was having a kid. Maybe it was a divorce - or a second divorce. Or maybe you just woke up one day with the realization that you're not showing up as who you want ...
I offer therapy for individuals, couples, and multi-partner relationships in the Bay Area from a feminist, sex-positive lens. As a social justice advocate and founding Co-chair of the American Psychological Association's Consensual Non-monogamy Taskforce, I have considerable experience supporting the non-monogamous, kink/BSDM, TGNC/NB, and LGBQIA communities. I also offer support for individual...
Going through the motions, afraid of showing your true self and struggling to keep up the facade...you’re tired, exhausted. This feeling in your chest and the pit of your stomach is too much to bear. You can't predict when panic will hit, feeling the physical and emotional pain all over again, and you lash out or go into hiding. Always on alert, weighed down and never feeling good enough is lik...
Darren D. Moore, Ph.D., LMFT is an Associate Professor, Director of a Masters program in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Georgia and Alabama, offering counseling and consulting services to individuals, couples, groups, families, and organizations. Dr. Moore utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach when working with clients. Dr. Moore is direct an...
Persephone Gonzalez, LMFT, has worked extensively with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, providing intensive, long and short-term psychotherapy in both English and Spanish. Her specialties include complex trauma, major depression, anxiety, substance abuse and dependence, issues of gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sexuality and intimacy. Her practice has...
Life is a journey. Sometimes we need a sounding board to sort out our thoughts and feelings and gain a new perspective on life. My goal is to help you be the happiest person you can be. I specialize in working with clients with complex trauma, which is trauma related to childhood experiences. I have expertise in working with adult children of narcissistic parents. I also have expertise in worki...
Therapy can be a transformative experience of acknowledging Self and finding a higher level of functioning. The relationship between therapist and client facilitates gentle and foundational changes aiming to discard dysfunctional coping skills and to acquire healthier tools for living. I intend to create an accepting and nonjudgmental space and connect with my clients through compassion, empath...
( English | Italiano ) I have worked with trauma and injustice for over 10 years, and this work has repeatedly shown me that connection is the key to unlock healing and move forward in unexpected directions. I strive to provide a therapeutic space where clients can experience something radically different and feel safe to practice new and courageous ways of relating to themselves and to others....
I enjoy working with individuals ages 12 and older, from all walks of life. I dedicate my work to helping individuals navigate through major life transitions, anxiety, depression, relational problems, trauma, parenting challenges, grief/loss, eating disorder, body image concerns, identity development (especially with LGBTQ populations), personal growth and development. I practice from a framewo...
Therapy is a process of change and I consider myself a Facilitator of Change. I'll encourage, assist, and support you in the process of achieving your desired goals. Many people need help with life transitions and with intense feelings. Some need help healing old wounds and creating more peace and happiness in their lives. Some need help with relationships. I will accept you wherever you're at ...
Sierria Coleman is a practicing Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Chicago providing psychotherapy for individual, couples and families. She is currently working on her PhD. in Health Psychology investigating the physiological impacts of pervasive trauma, stress and neighborhood effects of prolonged exposure to violence. Her clinical work includes : management of Trauma, Depression...
Depression often feels crushing; as if we are stuck in the past. The pressure of anxiety can feel as if we are stuck in the "what if" of the future. I would like to help you become more present and mindful. We are often told what we are "supposed" to do, but don't know what we want from this life. I help individuals, families, and couples solve longstanding problems, clarify values, and build o...
