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
If you are feeling anxious, depressed, or stuck; therapy will help you develop personal awareness, ease painful patterns, and help you to take control of your life. I partner with individuals to ease discomfort and meet their essential goals. In therapy, you will find new ways to meet these goals through the supportive reflection of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I provide a non judgmental...
Shanna’s integrative approach to therapy respects and values the diversity and uniqueness of individual clients. She provides mental health counseling to adult and adolescent individuals, integrating a number of different therapeutic styles and modalities, depending on what fits the best with the client and situation. Her holistic approach to therapy considers the impact of the systems in which...
I’m going to meet you right as you are, right now. I work with over-thinkers, creatives, people who question themselves (and me, and basically everything). I work with with men, women, and non-binary folx who are navigating big life transitions (maybe you’re going back to school, beginning or ending a partnership, or becoming a parent). I also work with those who are hoping to explore and...
( English | español ) My ideal client is ready and committed to doing the work. My ideal client is someone who isn't afraid to go deep into their shadow and have an honest conversation about what is and isn't working in their life. My ultimate aims as your therapist are to re-wire your brain, help you eliminate mentalities of fear and lack, and cultivate a space for you to build the insight and...
I have been honored to support many through some of the most significant transitions in their lives. In a decade as a hospital clinician, I have been especially drawn to the beginning and end of life, and the incredible privilege it is to be welcomed to hold space during these times. I specialize in grief and loss, particularly death and dying, and the emotional and spiritual work surrounding...
Hi! Therapy is a very courageous process so being this far in your journey is tremendous. Perhaps you know exactly what brings you this point and you're just looking to connect with the right person to do the good work. Maybe, you're not quite sure what's going on and want to do some exploration. If we establish a counseling relationship, then our work will be centered in honesty, authenticity,...
I believe therapy should be a place where each and every part of you - even the messy, shameful, and wounded ones - are seen. By inviting curiosity and self-compassion, I help people delve deeper into the various parts of themselves in order to gain insight and promote healing. Whether you have experienced trauma, are struggling with depression or anxiety, or simply want to understand yourself...
We promote mental wellness through our holistic treatment approach and by making our services more accessible to marginalized populations. We strive to normalize mental health conditions through education, advocacy and by being present in the communities we serve. We want to show up for and be the voice for those in our community by considering how our social and economic climate also impact ou...
Relationships are vital to our existence, but sometimes we struggle to connect with ourselves and others in a way that supports our values and sustains the relationships that bring love, success, and connection into our lives. Whether you are struggling to connect with a romantic partner, or you've become so debilitated by anxious, self-defeating thoughts that social interaction feels impossibl...
My approach is collaborative, gentle, and places an importance on creating a strong therapeutic relationship. Developing trust, understanding, and authenticity is essential before any meaningful healing can take place. I provide traditional “talk” therapy during sessions as well as use the intuition of our bodies to provide a somatically oriented approach to better inform the connection between...
For 15 years, I was a NYC public school teacher working in specialized high schools and that experience has informed my understanding of how our intersectional identities influence how we comfortably we move in our world today. I believe that personal, cultural and societal narratives can influence who we are and what we believe we can achieve. I adapt play therapy techniques to help all people...
I once had a client use the analogy of fixing a car to describe therapy: therapy isn't the mechanic you call to fix your car, but rather the toolbox you use to address the car's issues to run again! If you find yourself ready to learn how to address your patterns of fear, anxiety, and depression, I am here to offer you guidance, skills, and a nonjudgmental environment where change and...
Therapy is a space you carve out with me to reconnect - with yourself, your goals, your life’s meaning, your passion, your creativity, your spiritual path. We all struggle with difficult things at times; they pull us away from who we want to be, or the path we intend to walk in life. I believe relationships are the most important healers we have in our lives – starting with your relationship wi...
Open doors to a better future, reconcile with doors left open from your past. It's helpful to think of therapy as the opportunity to make the desired changes in your life to increase your overall well being. It is my goal for you to unlock your unique capabilities & strengths for maximizing your success in all the important areas of your life. This means: learning how to take better care of...
I believe that emotional, psychological, and spiritual difficulties can yield personal growth and a "deep heart," as Dostoevsky puts it. We will explore and honor what it is to suffer, find ways to make meaning from it, and discover new paths to wholeness and healing. I am trained in EMDR, a mode of therapy recommended by the American Psychiatric Association for treatment of trauma, anxiety, an...
