What is Feminist Psychotherapy?

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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

Katherine Sutton

Chicago

Illinois

I believe one of the bravest things you can do is begin to understand your own story. I assist clients in learning about their moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors and how to better respond to life's challenges. I am devoted to the exploration of client’s actions for the purpose of problem solving and achieving higher levels of functioning. You deserve to live a life that leaves you excited ...
Personal and Relational Growth--Wherever you are in your mental health journey, it takes courage and self-love to explore counseling services. Whether you are seeking individual or relational support, I maintain a consistent flow of calm, compassionate, creative, and curious energy. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals, who...

Sarah J Kyle

Seattle

Washington

I imagine that whoever you are, you have a story to tell about the journey that has led you here. It may be a story about loss, or betrayal, or confusion, or a feeling of being stuck. Perhaps it is a story about a great longing that lives in you, a sense that it is possible to live with more meaning, more delight, more authenticity, more connection. Therapy is work that asks a great deal from u...

Alexandra Mager

New York

New York

Whether you’re looking to make changes in your life or work through existing challenges, it does not have to be done alone. My primary goal is to help people better understand the way their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions impact day-to-day life. I collaborate with clients to explore new ways to deal with life’s daily challenges and stressors. Empathy is an essential component of our sessions,...
Hello, I am a therapist with an extensive history of working with clients of all ages who have had to deal with a multitude of mental health symptoms or difficulty managing the conflicts that arise for all of us as we attempt to find joy in a complicated world. My style is to be collaborative while providing culturally responsive therapeutic services to children, adolescents, families, and...
I believe that anyone can benefit from therapy. Whether you’re facing life’s challenges, experiencing anxiety or depression, or you are just interested in growth and strengthening your sense of self; we all need a neutral person to talk to from time to time. I carry with me a warm, grounded presence. I have a nonjudgmental demeanor and prefer to avoid giving advice, but instead work together to...

Lindsey Weikert

Baltimore

Maryland

Do you feel like you are not living your life to its full potential? Are you utilizing unhealthy coping strategies? If you are feeling unsure, worried, or not like yourself, you've come to the right place. I work with my clients to help them reach their optimal wellness. Together we reduce anxieties, build and mend relationships, and tackle anything life can throw at you. I use a strengths-base...
As your therapist, I want to help you learn how to identify and achieve your goals in life! Unfortunately, many of us have been told that we are “a problem" and this can impact our beliefs around what we think we deserve. Oftentimes, these things do not serve our greater good but someone else's and to our detriment.I enjoy working with clients to disband these harmful beliefs, so that we may no...
**July 2020: I am not currently accepting new clients.** My calling is to bring the best out of others, no matter if their best feels shrouded, and no matter how difficult the challenges. In my experience, there are limits to what can be achieved by banging your head against the wall with logic, technique and coping skills (though they have their place and I absolutely use them as needed). I he...

Kristi Waidhofer

Austin

Texas

I believe walking into therapy is one of the bravest gifts you can give yourself. I try to create a calm, safe environment for clients. My style is relational, warm, kind, and encouraging which makes it easy for my clients to relax. I have a genuine, down-to-earth personality and I speak to clients in much the same way that I would talk to a friend or any other person in my life. I work from a...

Jennifer L Lancaster

Houston

Texas

My goal is to provide a safe, therapeutic space to process life experiences and practice new strategies. I value acceptance and humor, especially in the therapeutic process. I provide individual, family, and group therapy to address a myriad of issues, including but not limited to eating disorders, self-harm, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, life transitions, and relational/family conflict. I a...
My goal is to empower my clients to lead full, integrated, self-led lives. Together we will focus not only on behavior change and symptom reduction, but also on compassionately addressing and resolving the underlying factors and beliefs that drive coping responses into extremity. Through an integrated approach rooted in the Internal Family Systems model, I help clients to heal their attachment...

Bruce E. Bonin / Silver Seekers Counseling

Colorado Springs

Colorado

Do you feel lost, uncertain, or stressed by everyday life? Struggle with family, life, work, or all the above? Have you experienced something that is continues to cause you pain and keeps you from achieving your goals? If any of these are true then I welcome you and know that you are not alone. I have helped many clients to create caring environments where they can work on meeting their needs i...
I am committed to providing a therapeutic atmosphere where you feel engaged and supported. A space where you feel comfortable to self-reflect to be able to create balance, feel peace, and feel more connected to those around you. I strive to create a collaborative experience working together towards goals identified by you. Together, identifying and drawing out resilient qualities to use towards...