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

Laura Camilo

Charlotte

North Carolina

( English | español ) *Teletherapy Only* *Solo teleterapia* Are you experiencing distress, lack of purpose, inability to feel contentment? Do you feel misunderstood, or are you having trouble understanding others? Our minds, bodies, and relationships offer their own intelligence – often, we know when something is wrong. A strong therapeutic alliance helps us act on that wisdom and work toward...

Tracy Sidesinger

New York

New York

Who you share your stories with matters. This is one of the reasons why choosing a therapist is so personal and important. There are many connections that shape your life. However, life doesn’t have to be dictated by previous experiences or fate. You have the capacity to make choices with the stories you're born into, and live these stories forward in new ways. The understanding that occurs in...
With each client, I work to build a trusted partnership through empathy, honesty and adaptive support. In therapy, I provide a safe space for clients to explore, clarify and move through personal difficulties. Together, we identify goals for therapy, and work strategically to build insight, reduce distress, and change unwanted patterns. Clinically, I approach well-being from an Ecological Model...

Katie Schank

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Katie works primarily with individuals and couples and has extensive experience with the LGBTQ+ community. She is also competent working with individuals and families who identify as Polyamorous, open and/or engage in BDSM and kink. Katie has extensive experience working with people around addiction, depression/anxiety, PTSD, relationship issues, sexual health, and domestic abuse. Katie uses a...
There are times in life when we encounter difficulties that we cannot face alone. In such circumstances, therapy can prove an invaluable resource. As your therapist, I will strive to provide a healing relationship that allows you to connect with your own vital inner wisdom, sense of purpose, and community. When helping navigate specific challenges and goals, I often draw from principles of...

Jen Mossefin

Durham

North Carolina

Struggling with self-criticism, a life out-of-balance, or the past taking up too much of your present can feel lonely. Often the coping strategies that helped us survive can develop into problems themselves and figuring out the best way forward can feel overwhelming. I am honored to work alongside individuals as they discover their inner strengths and develop new, helpful strategies to experien...
I am a human first and a therapist second, which means I will meet you where you are at and I will not judge you for the things you might be judging yourself for. I'm not afraid to use humor and have a passion for helping build stronger connections in your relationships, including the relationship you have with yourself. I offer an encouraging, warm, and collaborative approach to healing and...
Life can be hard. Having a safe, non-judgmental environment and someone to talk with that listens, can be helpful. I offer trauma sensitive and culturally aware therapy that encourages resilience, growth, and healing. Focusing on your strengths and values, we collaborate on what you need and what you want out of our time together. “Change is a process not an event.” -Barbara Johnson I have...

Arielle Sokoll-Ward

Austin

Texas

I enjoy and have experience working with a variety of issues and populations. I specialize in grief and trauma but have worked with eating disorders, survivors of abuse, LGBTQ+, domestic violence and sexual violence, depression, anxiety, relationship and interpersonal struggles, and life transitions. I am here to listen, hold space, and process with you as you tell your story. I find it to be m...
Finding a new therapist takes a lot of work and strength, so by landing here you're already a step ahead of where you were before you started looking. As a clinical psychologist working in an integrated health setting, I practice with a holistic approach. My goal is to help you continue taking small steps to where you would like to go. I take a person-centered and strength-based approach to hel...
Welcome to Stars Counseling! It is sometimes hard to figure out what your journey will entail when faced with challenges especially during tough times. We all struggle with something, and at Stars Counseling, I hope to help the struggle become less of a burden and more of an experience that you will overcome. As a counselor I believe that people are in different places during their lifetime and...
“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar”. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh; At some point in our lives we will experience emotional and psychological distress. Most people will try to avoid or go through their distress without seeking help for the fear of being judged. Achieving sobriety, is a lifestyle change that not only...

Sheila V. Graham

Baltimore

Maryland

I view therapy as a journey that both client and therapist embark on together towards increased understanding, empowerment and healing. Whether this is your first therapeutic journey or one of many, I believe you are the expert of your own experience. Your wisdom coupled with my clinical expertise, provide the foundation for a healing connection in a therapeutic setting. I work both with...

Alex S Buckner

New York

New York

I believe that each person wants to find fulfillment in life, and that through the therapeutic relationship, we can work together to achieve this goal. In today's world, there are so many pressures and obstacles that people face on a daily basis. I work to help people identify the factors that affect their lives, assist them in gaining insight into the causes of their problems, and develop...
JFCS works with clients from a variety of social, cultural, and economic backgrounds. All the therapists work hard to build a trusting relationships so their client's can feel safe and empowered. Clients can meet us at one of our 3 Monmouth County locations (Absury Park, Morganville, Eatontown). If they are elderly or disabled we also provide in-homes sessions. We have a variety of services...