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 unapologetically Christian! Yet, I am open to counsel any of God’s creation Christian or not. I am able to separate my personal beliefs from my professional ethics. My desire is to use my education and life experiences to bring health and healing to the masses, while honoring our Heavenly Father through my faith and works (James 2:26). I firmly believe that God will use our trials & tests ...
I am passionate about learning about you and providing the support and resources you need to have a better quality of life. We shouldn't have to go through this life feeling distressed, alone, scared, or helpless. I have had the honor to work compassionately alongside clients impacted by cancer, grief, spiritual concerns, homelessness, trauma, oppression, marginalization, sexual violence and...
The fact is that everyone at some point in their lives, will face challenges, traumas, circumstances or relationships that overwhelm their ability to cope. While navigating these experiences can be painful, difficult, and complex- no one should have to go at it alone. I view the therapeutic experience as collaborative. My intention is to create a safe, supportive, and judgement free space where...
Life is meant to be lived fully, but often there are circumstances that get in the way of our ability to engage at the level that we want to. Whether that is a trauma or loss or a major life stressor that has made life seem unbearable, you can receive help and there is hope of moving forward and living life to the fullness of your potential. My counseling practice stems from the belief that eac...

Alexandria Cara

Chicago

Illinois

I believe that therapy extends beyond symptom relief; it entails gaining insight into one's self, patterns, and relationship dynamics. In other words, in order to "feel better," I think it is important to uncover how and why these symptoms developed over time. I aspire to help patients obtain this deeper understanding by fostering a sense of security and connectedness, which will allow me to ac...
Recognizing the diversity of human experience, I have sought comprehensive and multicultural clinical experiences. My interest in holistic health has led to a wide breadth of professional experiences throughout the United States and abroad. I have served in numerous settings including in a forensic clinic, a refugee shelter, a university counseling center, with homeless veterans, and in general...
There's a certain feeling of a "click" when someone really gets what you're saying; that is the bedrock of therapy as I practice it. I'll keep an eye out for your signs that you're not feeling heard, and encourage you to start to say things like, "That's not what I meant," "That doesn't really resonate with me," or even "I'm still feeling alone." I hope that from a base of a strong understandin...

Sandra Hall

AbingdonSan Francisco

California

Are you seeking an experienced provider who can assist you in your gender-affirming surgeries goals? I would love to help! I have years of experience navigating many different insurance companies' and surgeons' requirements for mental health assessments for a variety of different procedures. I work to make you as comfortable as possible and informed every step of the way. (Sliding scale...
BF Empowerment specializes in helping you reach your goals. Our specialty is helping those dealing with stress, feeling over-whelmed, trauma, relationship concerns, financial concerns, anxiety, and depression. We develop a plan to move you from feeling stressed and over-whelmed to feeling in control again. We work to improve your relationships with your loved ones and yourself. If you are feeli...
Connecting to our potential for vibrant, and meaningful relationships is more important now than ever as we work to find creative ways to stay in touch while keeping a safe distance. From this place I make it my focus to understand the ways that our past and present circumstances keep us from accessing this potential. Pain, relational or otherwise, can build up over time, become truly...

Justin S Lee

Salt Lake City

Utah

Perhaps you are experiencing a faith transition, relationship transition, or work transition that has you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. Going through these changes can be challenging, and turning to friends and family may be difficult. If you are experiencing these or other challenges, and have decided it is time to make a change, you need someone committed, nonjudgmental, and...
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with more than a decade of experience in individual, group, and family psychotherapy, as well as clinical psychiatric research. In my private psychotherapy practice, I work from a values-based and strengths-based empowerment model to help individuals who are facing difficult life transitions, challenging relationship issues, and emotional...

Kassia Ringell

New York

New York

If you are suffering from anxiety and depression, or experiencing severe stress from the changes going on in your life, and you’re having difficulty adjusting, I can certainly help. As a Biracial Woman of Color, I am deeply interested and passionate about working with a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic clientele who may carry multiple racial, sexual, and gender identities. As a practitioner for ...
I was drawn to social work out of my desire to understand and empathize with human suffering. I believe that all of us, at some point in our lives, can benefit from healing therapy sessions. The bulk of my career has been in Hospice care, therefore, I specialize in grief work. We can grieve over the changes in life that don't resemble death, such as postpartum, divorce, empty nest and caring fo...