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

For the past ten years I have been working with people with a wide range of mental and physical diagnoses, of various ages, ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. I focus on working with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, life transitions, relationship patterns, and family dynamics in a safe and client directed way. I utilize evidence based practices and empathetic car...

Aleecia Kaloustian

New York

New York

I am a licensed art therapist and I am passionate about the healing qualities of the creative process. Not only does art help us express difficult or confusing emotions, it can act as an incredible tool for gaining personal insight. I offer both traditional talk therapy and art therapy techniques specific to achieving your goals. I have extensive experience working with individuals affected by...

Jessica Turner

San Francisco

California

I am dedicated to offering support and hope to individuals, couples and adolescents who may be working through a myriad of challenges. I offer a warm environment in which to explore and untangle the complexities of life. I aim to support you in sifting through what feels difficult and to offer a grounded, objective and kindhearted space in which to gain the insight necessary for growth....

Ava Johnson

Durham

North Carolina

Dedication to community engagement and social justice is the foundation of my practice because we do not exist in a vacuum. Clients’ lives are affected by not only their identities and beliefs, but also how they move through and are seen in the world. I use humor, positivity and warmth to support clients on their journey of healing and change. I am invested in empowering clients towards living...

Lauren Vanhusen

Chicago

Illinois

I am passionate about working with women identified individuals who may be struggling with anxiety, stress, depression etc. I work best with individuals who are motivated to make positive changes in their lives but are feeling "stuck". Using a gentle and collaborative approach, we will find ways to move past these road blocks and get you back to living a more meaningful and fulfilling life. My...
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS!!! Big pat on the back; you have taken the first step to seek therapy for yourself or a loved one. I am here to provide a safe space where you can speak openly about what is making you feel stuck in your life. I will be here for you with a practice guided by humanism and respect. I utilize an eclectic approach to counseling, depending on what my client might need. Whether ...

Kathleen L. Niegocki

New York

New York

My goal is to help you feel empowered to live a more authentic, connected, and joyful life. I am a licensed psychologist providing individual therapy for adults. I love helping people who are experiencing stressful life transitions, difficulties in relationships, problems with work-life balance, poor self-esteem, perfectionism, and loss (including death of a parent). I work with many people who...
You may be considering therapy because you feel stuck or dissatisfied with some parts of your life. I am deeply invested in creating a therapeutic relationship that balances safety and connection with appropriate challenge. You can count on careful attention to your inner world as we explore the concerns that trouble you. I am genuine, warm, and collaborative. As someone who believes in the...

Leah Wright

Long Beach

California

As partners in your session, together we’ll build a trusting and professional relationship that allows you to feel supported setting and achieving meaningful goals that alleviate disruptive patterns and allow for even more success, joy and authenticity. I am most interested in helping you identify your strengths and passions to empower you to live what you view as your healthiest life. I...

Maggie Rose Malone

Atlanta

Georgia

Are you exhausted? No matter how hard you try, you never feel good enough. We often get stuck in the challenges of our daily life or stuck on our "flaws" and end up feeling unfulfilled and stagnant. Let me be your partner in figuring out how to move forward and get unstuck. I believe at our core we often need self-compassion and understanding, things that we so easily forget to give ourselves....
Are you feeling anxious and fearful in these challenging times? While stressful, these experiences help us prioritize what is most important. Major life transitions like job loss, moving, divorce, or becoming a parent can feel isolating, depressing, and full of uncertainty. These circumstances may even stir up unresolved trauma. Maybe you’re experiencing a loss of autonomy, grieving your former...

Ellen Landis

Portland

Oregon

My personal belief regarding the therapeutic process is that the client is the expert on their own lives, and it is my responsibility to create a safe and supportive environment in which to grow a collaborative therapeutic relationship. I have been developing my therapeutic style over the past few years, and I have come to practice from a narrative lens while incorporating emotion-focused...
My therapeutic style is influenced by solution focused brief therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, existential therapy, and positive psychology. I work primarily with trauma, anxiety and focus related issues, with individuals and families. Areas of expertise include: • Addiction & Recovery • Grief & Loss • Relationships & Connection • Trauma & Resilience • Spiritual & Existential Questioning •...
I greatly admire the strength and courage it takes for someone to recognize patterns that are no longer serving them and reach out for help to make some changes. In therapy, I work to create a safe space to sit in heavy emotions and identify coping skills and strategies to work through these emotions to begin to heal old wounds. I enjoy working with adults who have overcome barriers in their li...
( English | español ) **Currently not accepting new clients** Are you looking to heal from the burnout you experience? Are you afraid it will transform into numbness, helplessness, irritability or depression? You may be feeling overwhelmed because you are the caregiver of a loved one, because you are working in the healthcare system, because you are at the mercy of unrealistic expectations from...