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

Many people have been through a difficult situation in their life, and some of those experiences affect their day to day. Changes in mood, relationships, trust of others, attachments, depression, anxiety, sleep, physical health, spiritual health, so many things can be affected. As a compassionate and empathetic therapist, I will work in partnering with you to see how you want your life to look...
It’s normal to feel unwell in an unjust world. Many of us are struggling to find care that recognizes the political in mental health, encourages creativity and difference, and focuses on experience over diagnosis. I aim to honor and meet these needs. If you’re feeling miserable or something’s not right, the problem isn’t that you’re too sensitive, sick in the head, “getting in your own way,” no...

Kathryn Rose

Anchorage

Alaska

I offer a calm and private environment to share your present road block or mountain to climb whether it be in relationship to others or part of your solo journey. My training is in the field of psychology, education, spirituality, and wisdom traditions. In my Practice I weave these teachings together to provide a multi-dimensional compassionate approach to a person-centered therapeutic experien...

Mercedes J Okosi

New York

New York

If you find yourself unable to cope with difficult emotions, distressing thoughts, and tension in your relationships, psychotherapy may be the next step toward wellness. As a licensed (bilingual English/Spanish) clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, I have made it my life’s mission to decrease stigma related to the spectrum of mental health and promote healing and empowerment for the...
Counseling, to me, is a collaborative process. I specialize in providing identity-affirming counseling from a feminist-multicultural perspective, and my goal is to work with individuals to improve relationships, increase authenticity and self-awareness, gain healthy coping skills, and explore personal values, identity, and spirituality. I am an EMDR-trained therapist and am fluent in both Engli...
Are you experiencing: stress related to Covid-19, anxiety, depression, life changes, stress, emotional overeating, feeling disconnected from your sense of purpose, or wanting to work on personal growth? I would be honored to support and assist you in this journey. I am empathetic and create a safe space for people to explore their feelings and to feel seen and heard. You will have the opportuni...
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I specializing in the areas of trauma (sexual abuse, physical abuse, maltreatment, PTSD), anxiety, depression, self-esteem & identity, and couples and family work. I have experience working with children ages 3 and up, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. When working with couples I utilize the research and theories of the Gottman Method developed by...

Shay Danielle Reeves

Charlotte

North Carolina

"Heal, so that when someone tells you they love you, you may allow yourself to believe them." If this quote resonates with you, the relationships in your life may feel more like work than play. Or maybe you find yourself enacting old patterns that you told yourself you wouldn’t repeat. Maybe you’re exhausted, constantly giving to people who don’t do the same. If so, I am not just a therapist...
I primarily work with couples in my practice but I have significant experience working with both adults and children as well. In couples work I find that all relationships include ups and downs. When you are communicating your needs to your partner the conversation can easily be derailed and result in conflict. My goal is to create a space where both individuals in a relationship can be seen,...
********************Accepting New Clients********************* Imagine waking up to renewed energy, motivation, hope and direction. You would be free, of those tired old nagging doubts, inertia, and despair, that keep you from living the life you really long for. Stop waiting around until you feel worthy enough or ready. I’ll meet you wherever you happen to be in your life, right now. As a...

Stacey Schwenker

Washington

District of Columbia

You have everything you need to succeed. From a base of acceptance of your whole self, I work together with you to identify your potential and strengths, knowing how capable you already are. I come alongside you to reach your goals, and to live a whole and fulfilling life with deep, meaningful relationships. I approach therapy as a collaborative effort between you and me to create goals, gain n...

River Wards Wellness Collective

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

River Wards Wellness Collective focuses on holistic wellness practices. We offer individual therapy, couples therapy, reiki, and individual trauma-informed yoga and meditation. Our providers have a variety of specialties to address the specific needs of our community including DBT, CBT, EMDR, Mindfulness, Sensorimotor Therapy, and Perinatal Therapy. We specialize in working with anxiety,...

Raquel Ross

Los Angeles

California

I am not a typical therapist. I see myself as a co-author, witness, helpful ally, teammate, collaborator and useful resource. Rather than taking a role as an “expert” by making assumptions or interpretations about your life, I love to use skillful conversation and artful question-asking to help you get past obstacles and problems. You are here on this page because you have strength in you, you...
My personal philosophy on trauma informed psychotherapy is based on western & eastern influences & focuses on a three phase model developed by Dr. Judith Herman-stabilization, reprocessing, & re-connection. In therapy with individuals, I work together to honor your unique life history & explore the impact it has on your functioning. In my work I have discovered that amazingly, the natural heali...
We are living in a difficult time. Are you stressed, worried, feeling stuck, or struggling with difficult emotions? Do you want to develop a greater sense of self, hope. peace, purpose, self-compassion, joy, and feeling alive? We all need support sometime. Me too! Let me be there for you. I am sensitive to cultural issues, have a multicultural family & truly believe that Black Lives Matter. I...