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
Life can feel challenging and overwhelming at times to navigate on your own. My belief about therapy and the healing process is to learn, dig deep, explore and grow through your experiences. I am dedicated to empowering clients, of all ages to learn effective strategies to enhance their wellbeing from the inside out. My goal is help you help yourself, to facilitate you to uncover your truths an...
( English | español ) Healing from painful experiences is challenging; it takes time & it requires a warm, compassionate, & encouraging approach. It would be my privilege to walk alongside you on your path to healing. I am a Latina, bilingual (Spanish) licensed clinical social worker with a focus on working with cisgender women as well as trans/nonbinary adults, and teenagers (15 years old+) wh...
*Not accepting new clients* I see people as separate from their problems. I work from a narrative perspective to help individuals, couples, and families identify their values and re-story their lives to align with their hopes and goals. Looking at past issues through a different lens allows us to rewrite our narratives to better reflect who we want to be. I see people as the experts in their ow...
I work with individuals who find difficulties with their interpersonal relationships. Trauma, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem can keep you stuck in limiting patterns. As a massage therapist for the past 24 years, I've noticed how people hold patterns of pain, trauma, and negative energy in their bodies. Now as a therapist I help people who may be carrying the weight of their past, feel...
I believe in meeting clients where they are at. Every person is resilient. I intend our collaboration to remind you of your strengths, provide you tools to weather the storms of life, and a safe space to gain insight into your truest self. I come to social work from a social justice background and recognize that trauma and oppression are often intertwined. Acknowledging systemic issues is a vit...
I provide individual psychotherapy for late adolescents and adults presenting with a wide range of clinical presentations and backgrounds. I practice from an integrative lens utilizing a variety of theoretical perspectives, with the goals of fostering a collaborative and authentic therapeutic environment to meet the individual needs of my clients. I have more specialized experience with anxiety...
You have found the courage to begin, and you want someone to walk with you. Maybe you are tired of feeling the crushing weight of anxiety or depression. Maybe you are the parent of a child with special needs, and you don't know what to do next, but you know you need to do something. Maybe you are finally admitting to yourself the truth about your sexuality, spirituality, or situation, and you a...
OPEN TO NEW CLIENTS! ++ A few client types I welcome in my office: Adults & older teens with autism, Aspergers, or ADHD (or those exploring the possibility of a diagnosis) * Trans, nonbinary, & gender-nonconforming people (including those looking for letters for transition) * LGBQAA people * Survivors of trauma & abuse * People with eating disorders, body dysmorphia, or those with a stressful...
You don’t need me to tell you that you’re up against alot. I wear the same skin as you so I get (most of) it. I’m curious about your safety? Has anyone made you feel safe to freely express yourself lately? Your friends, are they safe people? Can you really talk to them about anything or will you be dismissed? Your family, are they being supportive? Do they believe in you or does it seem like...
NOW ACCEPTING NEW TELEHEALTH CLIENTS. During these trying times, it can be especially helpful to talk to someone if you are feeling stressed, anxious, frustrated, lonely or depressed. We have all been experiencing the various effects of COVID-19 and your personal wellbeing matters. What has your body been telling you? Often we underestimate the wisdom of our body and the information it shares w...
It is important to me that I offer a safe, respectful and confidential environment for clients as they process challenges in their lives. I believe that every individual has the ability to recognize their internal self-worth, which external factors often impede. I believe in focusing on the person as a whole, with attention to the emotional, physical, and spiritual components of wellness. I hav...
If you're looking for a safe and supportive environment to work through challenges and heal from trauma, you're in the right place. During the last 10 years of providing therapy in Missoula I have worked with adults, children and families. I'm passionate about helping clients process their current or past struggles. I have helped birth, foster and adoptive families who are parenting children wi...
You feel sad, depressed, anxious. You’re lonely and feel like no one understands you. You’ve noticed tension and tightness in your body. Making decisions and changes in your life are a struggle. The thought that you’re not good enough swirls around in your mind. You're frustrated and you’re not sure what to do. You feel stuck and you don’t want to feel like this anymore. I provide an opportunit...
NOW OFFERING ON-LINE OR TELEHEALTH SESSIONS Reaching out is not easy, and starting your healing journey is less so. Feeling sad, anxious, fearful or hopeless can be scary and lonely for someone who has no idea where to start to get better. While many of the topics shared by my clients are hurtful and frightening, I also find humor can be helpful. I strive to be honest and transparent with my...
There are various reasons why one might choose to seek therapy, as no-one escapes the pain of life. Ariana has confidence in their training, skills, and experience to help you better understand and navigate these painfully emotional experiences. By utilizing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Ariana aims to help you identify, and unlearn, negative thoughts and feelings in order to replace them with...
