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
We all struggle at times in our lives. Perhaps the root of that suffering is clear: a loss, a trauma, a life transition, or an illness. Sometimes the suffering is known; we know we feel anxious or depressed, but we are unsure of the cause. Perhaps we know in our hearts we are repeating patterns in relationships, work, behaviors or lifestyle that no longer serve us, yet we can't quite get unstuc...
Are you just going though the motions of every day life? Are you exhausted and find yourself unfocused and overwhelmed, yet completely underwhelmed? Perhaps, you are struggling with chronic illness and pain but still feel the weight of the world rests on your shoulders? Do you find yourself escaping into social media or yet again binge watching another season of The Office or another Holiday...
I use traditional clinical approaches to therapy as well as alternative, Eastern practices, including Somatic therapy and Mindfulness to develop a creative approach to helping you integrate and heal. Specializing in womens issues, infertility and post pardum, self-esteem and relationship issues. Somatic experiencing is a body oriented approach to healing trauma and other stress disorders. The...
I believe the most important element for positive change is the relationship between the therapist and client. If the client can truly trust their therapist, he or she can allow themselves to explore, heal, and integrate all aspects of themselves. This leads to a feeling of wholeness and relief from anxiety, depression, low self esteem, and other issues. I use intuition and compassion, in addit...
Hi there--I'm Leyla! First, kudos to you for taking this step--finding a therapist isn't easy! It's my goal to provide you with a compassionate and creative space to work together on whatever may be holding you back or weighing you down. My philosophy in therapy is based on this belief: We are all entitled to love ourselves wholly and deeply. There's a lot that disconnects us from ourselves and...
My practice is currently FULL! Are you not feeling quite like yourself? Are you feeling stuck or struggling with a difficult experience that you have had? Are you struggling with worry or feeling down? Do you want to improve your relationship with your partner or with your child/teenager? My goal as a therapist is to work in a collaborative manner to empower clients to reach their goals. It is ...
My name is Dr. Kendra A. Surmitis, and I provide a comfortable, private space for individuals seeking personalized counseling, mindfulness, and psychoanalytically-informed psychotherapy. Do you wonder about the impact of your early relationships on your ability to enjoy your life and relationships today? Are you interested to learn more about your personality and avenues for greater life...
During this unsettling time of social isolating that we are all in I am offering telehealth through Doxy.me, which is HIPAA compliant and secure. We will be able to see each other on video and talk almost as if we are in person. I understand how upsetting our circumstances can be, especially when compounded with previous issues. Talking to a professional can be extremely helpful and therapeutic...
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I aim to integrate mindfulness, acceptance, and change strategies within a collaborative and respectful environment to help my clients reach their goals. I work with adolescents, young adults, and adults, specializing in mood regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and management of high-risk, self-harming, and suicidal behaviors. I also have a background ...
***Not currently accepting new clients*** Unsure about therapy but notice that certain issues in your life keep recurring? Looking for someone to support you as you try to make sense of it all? Maybe your anxiety is starting to interfere with your functioning, or depression feels like it's weighing you down. Maybe there's a trauma in your past that you keep trying to suppress, but it keeps show...
You are much stronger than you think you are! I am encouraging, supportive, funny, and compassionate. By being down to earth and authentic, my style encourages clients to be more reflective about themselves and their relationships. Clients report a deeper understanding of themselves, their personal and relational patterns, and how to change them. Clients that see me gain insight into themselves...
I accept Medi-Cal Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield as well as CA Health and Wellness. I have been working in the field of healing arts for two decades. As a Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, I have experience working with individuals, couples, teens, and adolescents. My work is grounded in the knowing that with the safety and security of the therapeutic container, one finds the willingness ...
With a warm, down-to-earth, and supportive style, I help clients work through challenges such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, life transitions, academic and career concerns, gender and sexual orientation questions, addictions, and OCD. Whether we are working to help you become more mindful, flexible and aware; reflecting on patterns that may be getting in your way; identifyin...
My office is conveniently located in the center of downtown, Amherst. I am trauma informed, and I approach treatment utilizing a social justice framework. My work is relationship based and culturally responsive. I address issues of race, gender, sexuality, and class oppression fluidly, and integrate identity development and social position in treatment. My clinical orientation is psychodynamic ...
I’m a queer identified, LGBTQ affirming, integrative therapist and invite you to bring your whole self to therapy. I help clients reduce symptoms and distress, increase resilience and self-confidence and develop fulfilling, meaningful relationships. My work is guided by the belief that within the context of a safe, compassionate therapeutic relationship all people have the capacity to heal and...
