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 have the most incredible clients. They are bright teens, brilliant young adults, and some of the most loving parents and passionate professionals I know In fact, many of my clients are therapists nurses, or other "helpers" themselves. Some people start therapy seeking relief from anxiety or depression, recovery from an eating disorder, healing from a past hurt, or guidance for a specific issu...
I believe that the road to healing begins with a therapeutic relationship based on acceptance, trust, and unconditional positive regard. Using existential therapy and person centered approaches, I guide clients towards exploring strengths and values to help frame their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a way that focuses on their proven resilience and empowers clients to live their most...
Melanie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and has over 5 years of experience at Journeys working with clients of all ages and various issues. She has experience with clients struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, family conflict, phobias, marital issues, etc. She also has over 16 years of...
My work history in women's health and developmental disabilities has embedded a strong commitment to empowering each client to reach her/his strongest and happiest self. I strive to reach people at their starting place of understanding their own needs and strengths. Whether working with children or adults with disabilities or clients who are struggling with a significant transition in their liv...
My treatment approach is validating and understanding while at the same time sincere and direct. I use an integrative approach to help my clients to find balance in their personal, academic and professional lives. I work collaboratively with clients to help them to explore their next steps towards reaching their goals and finding a sense of peace and clarity. I am experienced at working with...
Do you struggle with meaning and purpose in life? Do you find yourself around others but feel disconnected from them? Does it feel as if something is holding you back, and that you’re not able to be your true self, or create the life that you are wanting for yourself? Perhaps pain from the past keeps you from enjoying the present, or fears of the future keep you from making necessary changes. O...
Life comes with its challenges, and in a world where there can at times seem to be a collective sense of pain, I view therapy as a journey that provides us with the opportunity to become more in tune with ourselves. In doing so, we develop new ways to prevail and thrive. Being a queer person of color, I have dedicated my time in the field to supporting those who have lived similar experiences t...
At an early age I spent hours listening to people talk about the transitions, traumas, and troubles in their life as I played just out of ear’s reach (or so they thought). These special moments ignited a passion for people and what happens when human beings start being human. With 10+ years experience in helping people, I specialize in helping individuals cope with trauma, depression, life...
Are feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt impacting your relationships? Do you feel overwhelmed by uncontrollable worry? Are you feeling down or stuck and unsure of which direction to take moving forward? If these experiences sound familiar to you I encourage you to reach out. I can help you address such experiences, and many other concerns, by utilizing an active, collaborative, and focused...
People grieve for lots of things aside from an actual death. Sometimes the process of grieving or adapting to change can be overwhelming and exhausting. We are most especially challenged when things happen to us that we do not choose or are out of our control. Sometimes these circumstances lead to high anxiety, depression and coping choices that may hurt us. This is when we lose sight of who we...
Telehealth Available in Response to COVID-19: We are committed to remaining available to all of our clients in these trying times of social distancing, isolation, and anxiety. If you are interested in our telehealth solution, please let us know during your free consultation. Living your best life is an art. It is something you create with intention. It takes great effort, conscious choices and...
Working at Innovative Psychological Consultants, I believe finding relief and the tools to cope and manage all of life's stressors is what alleviates symptoms, restores balance, and makes people successful. Many things in our lives can impact our functioning, therefore, I use an eclectic approach to therapy, finding the right tools for each individual. I also believe that humor and the ability ...
Hi! I’m Camesha and I’m excited that you’ve found me here on Psych Today. I am a Mental Wellness Advocate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Servant-Leader. I enjoy working with people to transform their mental well-being so then can have a thriving, full, and whole life. I am dedicated to working together with you to discover your inner strength, while digging deep to understand experiences...
I see my job as helping you reconnect to and live from your inner truth. Do you feel you have been living in ways that feel like "not the real me"? Together we can uncover and validate what makes sense about unwanted behaviors and find the important impulse that lives underneath. I believe we each have wisdom inside that gets covered over with protective strategies, like the sun behind the clou...
I believe we all have the capacity to grow and heal. Whether stuck in unsatisfying patterns, living with impacts of trauma or overwhelming life stress, I work collaboratively to develop insights, practical coping tools and uncover your resilient qualities. Therapy is a collaborative process and we will work together to reach your goals, often by exploring the ways your life experiences have...
