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

I am a psychotherapist with clinical training influenced by relational and systems theories. I help clients to connect with their authentic selves and strengthen relationships. I enjoy working with individuals and partners to develop meaningful connections in their relationships, improve self-advocacy, and explore identity. I work from a framework that explores the ways in which early experienc...
**Practice is currently full, please feel free to reach out to be placed on a waitlist.** I support people struggling with past and present relationships to heal from interpersonal wounds and to feel more present and confident with their loved ones. I use a framework of antiracism, empowerment, social justice, and compassion infused care. I'm a rape crisis counselor and have extensive experienc...
I utilize empathy, openness, & unconditional positive regard to assist people to gain self-awareness, re-envision their purpose, & achieve new insights. I am passionate about working with people going through transitional periods, navigating changing roles, expectations, & stressors of daily life who are looking for coping skills or deeper exploratory work. I work with people of all ages who ar...
Do your past experiences, relationships, or losses have you feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed? Perhaps you find yourself unable to shake certain memories or move smoothly through difficult emotions. Many people cope by numbing out, disconnecting from themselves and others in their lives through substances, screens, or something else. Are you struggling to connect with loved ones in authent...
In these constantly changing and uncertain times, I am able to offer video sessions (HIPAA compliant) and are able to do all paperwork, payment, scheduling, etc...online so no in-person contact is needed. For those who are comfortable and prefer in-person sessions, I am able to provide that as well in a clean, low traffic office space, where we are able to comfortably social distance and comply...
Do you feel alone or isolated, and unsure of what gives your life meaning? You are not alone. Sometimes life can feel too overwhelming to keep going. Whether you are depressed, anxious, grieving a loss, or experiencing challenges in your relationships, I am here to offer you help. Your pain is real, and there is a way through it. As your therapist, my job is to support you, and work with you to...

Kathleen M Pendergast

Chicago

Illinois

My goal is to provide each client with an emotionally safe environment where they feel comfortable exploring even the biggest challenges, whether it is how to manage overwhelming emotions such as anxiety or depression, rebuild a more honest sense of identity, learn to recognize and fight unhealthy or toxic patterns in life & relationships, confront past trauma or abuse, or other flavors of...

Katey Blagden

Seattle

Washington

Therapy is a powerful tool for self exploration and discovery. Each of us have a story to tell and therapy can offer creative ways to help you understand your stories, your self, and your relationships in a new lens. My approach provides clients with the opportunity to draw on the connections and patterns between the past and present. As we deepen our awareness, we are given the power to break ...
Stephanie Jutras, LCSW received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Religion from Trinity University and her Master of Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington. She is licensed by the State of Texas as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Stephanie believes that each client is the expert on their own life and that her role as a therapist is to build a positive, non-judgmental...

Lesley Shiver

Knoxville

Tennessee

I believe everyone is doing the best they can with the skills they have right now, and that everyone can learn new skills to better approach whatever they are struggling with. I strive to ensure my practice is inclusive and supportive of all people, regardless of beliefs, identities, orientations, or situation in order to create the safe space needed to explore personal growth. I have successfu...

Oyenike Balogun-Mwangi

Boston

Massachusetts

***My practice is currently full***I specialize in the treatment of women and girls. I have over ten years of experience working with diverse populations on adjustment issues across the lifespan, emotional distress, problematic relationship patterns, family-related stress, body image concerns, and sexual trauma. Unique to my practice is a focus on the impact of intersections of race and gender....

Emily Sasser Bray

Austin

Texas

There are times in life when you may find yourself panicking, full of rage or tearful, not knowing why you are experiencing these difficult emotions. Times of transition, such as the end of a relationship, the beginning of a new one, moving and becoming a parent, are times that can bring about many different feelings. You might be wondering how you can get through anxiety, depression, or confli...
I have over 15 years of experience providing support to individuals and couples struggling with a variety of life issues as well as career and other life transitions and adjustments. I believe there are multiples solutions to our challenges and struggles. I believe that there is more than one option. We just need help finding our own way. I specialize in helping people clarify what they want or...
In life we often times face difficult circumstances that may alter our life plans. As a dually licensed psychotherapist, I specialize in working with adults and children who may be suffering from trauma, depression, anxiety and addiction. I offer a safe space where we will work together using your individual strengths to achieve your social, emotional, behavioral and therapeutic goals. I offer...

Mialauni Griggs

Chicago

Illinois

It is not always easy to reach out to a stranger for help, yet you know you are ready to make a change in your life. My focus is on helping clients by understanding systemic or external factors that may impact your relationship with yourself and others. With that understanding we then work together to use that understanding to influence how we treat ourselves and engage the world around us....