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 work as a counselor draws from values of justice and creativity. I support clients in moving toward change and growth, at a pace they choose. I often hear from people who are concerned that their experiences aren’t bad enough for counseling or that talking about hard experiences would be like opening an old wound. Anyone can benefit from meeting with a counselor, and everyone deserves the ty...
Welcome! I specialize providing psychotherapy for teens and adults coping with depression, anxiety and stress. LGBTQ clients are always welcome. I have a special interest in providing mental health support for conception, pregnancy, postpartum, adoption, and infertility. Whether you're currently pregnant, coping with the stress of a new baby, dealing with infertility or considering adoption, I...
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the treatment of children across a range of developmental stages including infancy, early childhood, school age, and adolescence, as well as maternal mental health. My approach is to build a partnership with caregivers, based on non-judgement and appreciation of diverse cultural values. Through the use of play therapy, I create a safe...
As a therapist, it is my passion to help people make sense of their lives, cultivate self-awareness, and grow to accept their whole selves. Operating from a humanistic framework, I believe that we are bound to struggle over the course of a lifetime. Throughout these ebbs and flows, I hope to walk alongside with you to provide a sense of acceptance, authenticity, and emotional safety. I believe ...
Having trained at Notre Dame, UC Berkeley and Stanford, I bring rigorous scientific expertise into my clinical work with adolescents (ages 14-24), college students, and women. I assist clients with a range of concerns including: anxiety, depression, vocational or academic concerns, ADHD, relationship concerns, eating disorders, perfectionism, life transitions, multicultural and identity concern...
Hi, Joy here! Perhaps recent events are affecting you deeply? Or you are realizing (like we all do) that old "stuff" is lingering in your life - and you really want to make lasting changes? Perhaps symptoms of Depression & Anxiety are running the show? I get to help folks cope with life's challenges, like loss, stress, relationship problems, and traumatic events. We're in this together. As a...
Watercourse Counseling Center operates from the belief in the power of relationships in life and in healing. Our approach relies on collaboration in which each person's abilities, sense of self, and life experiences are valued and utilized. Our services encompass inclusion, equity, compassion and integrity. Watercourse is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to strengthen our Minneapolis communi...
My passion is to provide a empathetic and nonjudgmental space for clients struggling with Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, anxiety, body dysmorphia, body image issues, shame, depression, and recovering from past traumas. My approach to healing is through developing a trusting therapeutic alliance. Looking at the social, cultural, familial, learning, and peer influences, as well as the...
We all want the same things. To be understood, recognized, treated with kindness and respect. To feel like we belong. We share the same path to growth through self-effort in overcoming challenges in our life’s journey. Are you mastering the game of life? You are more powerful than your past or stories. Truth be told, “life is simply what you create it to mean.” Imagine yourself as the eagle tha...
Everyone sees you as someone who “has it all figured out,” but inside you’re barely holding it together. You’re tired of changing your personality for every setting, trying to be the best “you” in any situation. You might feel pressure to hide things about yourself because other people don’t want them to be true. Sometimes you feel so smart and capable but other times you feel like you’re falli...
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) with a specialization in children and adolescents, focusing on systemic therapy in which may include anyone in your system from significant others to family members and spouses. I have 15+ years of experience working with families and children from all different demographics, backgrounds, and cultures. Some of my experience of working with families an...
Going through the motions day-after-day has covered up the real you. After all you have tried, you just can’t seem to figure it out. You have spent a lot of time checking off the boxes that you thought would bring you happiness. Instead, you still feel like something important is missing. You feel like you are being pulled in too many directions at once. You focus on what isn’t working. The...
I have been privileged to have experienced a very diverse clientele. Currently I am accepting clients who are LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, those who are working on trauma or traumatic pasts, 'outside the box' or deep thinkers, and/or those who have lived diverse/alternative lives. I DO have a few available openings. When contacting me, please say what about this profile you were interested in, and w...
As a therapist, I am deeply committed to holding space for your healing, development and liberation. I believe that each person holds within them the capacity to heal. I aim to bring a keen sense of compassion, humor and openness to the therapy space and meet my clients where they are. My approach is relational, strengths based, queer and trans affirming, culturally sensitive and trauma informe...
Welcome! Thank your visiting my page. As a Pennsylvania Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I operate from a bio/psycho/social/spiritual context. We are complex humans with complex stories and needs. I take all aspects of your story into consideration when creating a treatment plan in a collaborative manner so we can best meet your needs and goals. I have worked with people from various cultural,...