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

Beth Vincent

Raleigh

North Carolina

*Currently Accepting new clients via Telehealth* What do you do? It’s the first thing we ask when we meet someone, and a huge part of how we carve out our sense of self. Work stress and dissatisfaction have major impacts on our relationships, mental wellness and physical health. If your work situation is negatively impacting you, or you find yourself wanting more from your life as a whole,...
I am incredibly passionate about helping people recognize and regain direction and harnessing the power that comes with that discovery. It is my mission to be an intuitive tool on your path to rediscover your true sense of self. We will find a way together to improve and develop skills to handle everyday life challenges. We will work together to identify strengths, negative interaction patterns...
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Sarah Morris

New York

New York

Hello there! Life can present many challenges, some small and some significant. It is during these times that many reach for help through the participation in counseling. It is this first step towards support that shows great strength and desire for positive change. I believe that the counseling experience should be collaborative in nature so that each individual can grow within themselves to...

Rebecca Kenyon

San Diego

California

Helping moms, working moms, and couples using proven tools and strategies, I assist you to remain present and focus on the vision you have for your family and your relationship. Tools such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be adapted to your specific needs. As you apply these tools, you will become more mindful of the blocks that keep you from embracing your role as a mo...
( English | español ) "And I said to my body. Softly. 'I want to be your friend.' It took a long breath and replied 'I have been waiting my whole life for this."Nayyirah Waheed- Have you been holding on to physical or emotional weight that you feel ready to let go of? Are you ready to reconnect with the innate wisdom of your body? It is my belief that you already possess all of the solutions to...

Dana M Harris

Los Angeles

California

Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual. Interpersonal struggles, career obstacles or mental health issues can make us feel confused about who we are, where we fit in and how to move forward. I specialize in helping individual adults and couples in their 20s and 30s navigate difficult feelings, identify and change dysfunctional thoughts and patterns, and overcome challenging situations in...

Lakita Snead

Detroit

Michigan

Are you searching for a connection with a person whom you can depend on and trust with your cares and concerns? Would you rather have someone listen to you with an unbiased opinion? Are you seeking to work with someone to finally learn the skills for and gain insight into living a fulfilling life? If so, I am here for you! I help people from diverse backgrounds address emotional barriers such a...
Are stress and anxiety running your life? Do stress and anxiety keep you up at night? If so, you've come to the right place. From what others can tell, you’ve got a great life, but on the inside anxiety and stress interfere with your mood, relationships, job performance, and peace of mind. You try to keep it all together, but anxiety and stress exhaust you and you're not sure how much longer yo...

France Sarradon

Albuquerque

New Mexico

France Sarradon's approach is based upon her profound empathy, humanistic principles, the sharing of relationship skills and her 45+ years of experience so that her clients can deepen their exploration and understanding, master and enjoy their lives, strengthen their bond with themselves and others. France counsels individuals and couples, leads workshops for couples and individuals, and traini...
I believe in you. And I believe that everyone deserves to live a life full of meaning, purpose, hope, dignity and respect. We are all more than the worst things that have been done to us, and we are more than the worst things we have done. As a therapist, I create a space where it's safe to explore your story, and where you are encouraged to discover, grow, & give voice to your true self. Also,...
With 8 years of experience working with all ages, I specialize in codependency, addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, divorce, perfectionism, relationship issues, self-esteem, aging, and women’s issues. I particularly enjoy individuals who are open-minded, motivated, and willing to do the work while trusting the counseling process. It is so important to be willing to try new things by venturi...
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Chris Dorsey

Atlanta

Georgia

Feeling overwhelmed? Tired of trying to handle everything yourself and want some real coping skills to guide you through stressful situations? Whether you’ve experienced the loss of a relationship, a loved one, special pet or just simply yourself amidst the stress of life, let me help you to find an improved normal. Seeking the support of a professional to improve the quality of your life is...