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
Gail Renwick has a passion and dedication to serve our nation's active military service-members and their families radiates as she unswervingly volunteers her time, talents, knowledge and thousands of dedicated hours to a state of the art military and teaching hospital in Northern Virginia. Gail is a member of the Behavioral Health Consultation and Liaison Services at a hospital where she provi...
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PLEASE NOTE THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE NO OPENINGS. Hello! I appreciate how vulnerable a person can feel in therapy, and so I do my best to provide a safe, supportive, and warm environment. I believe that the relationship between therapist and client can be very meaningful and important, and so I work to provide my clients with deep empathy and my full attention. I have worked with people from a wid...
I have a deep passion for helping people discover their power in the face of life’s adversities. Stress presents itself in a number of ways which impact the mind, body, and spirit. As a psychotherapist, I am dedicated to an integrative whole-person approach to wellness and healing. I am particularly interested in healing the emotional/spiritual wounds of internalized racism, sexism, homophobia ...
I believe clients are the experts on their own lives. I take a strength-based and person-centered approach to therapy, meaning that while I see myself as a consultant in peoples' journeys toward enhanced wellness, I work in a collaborative way that keeps the client's goals and priorities front and center. During our time together, I will listen to your story, offer reflections, and ask creative...
I am not taking new clients at this time. The following is a description of my approach for future consideration. There are so many reasons we find ourselves feeling alone in the world. Whether you're estranged from family, socially marginalized, or just going through something unique, you are like that seed- naturally equipped with what you need for healing and growth. My job, as your therapis...
While providing services to couples, I have also spent 20+ years providing Trauma Therapy to various populations including people with Cognitive Disabilities, Survivors of Interpersonal Violence, Veterans and their families. Specific attention has been to significantly reducing or eliminating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Because I have a varied background in trauma work, I have worked...
Supporting the LGBTQ+ community is my therapeutic strength and passion and I provide affirming individual, relationship, and group therapy. To get a sense of my style, authenticity, congruence, and acceptance are foundations in my work and I am here to help you navigate the concerns that are bringing you to therapy with a warm and open style, sprinkled with humor and compassionate challenge....
I work with individuals, couples and families to heal from trauma, addictions, PTSD, and mood or anxiety disorders. I have also worked with chronic pain disorders and opiate dependence disorder. Mental illness impacts relationships and healthy relationships support healing so I work with people in the context of their family to restore healthy connections to the family and community at large....
Process 2020 fatigue and prepare to enter 2021 Feeling overwhelmed, struggling with sleep and relationships while worrying about your future? Navigating through life can sometimes challenge the way you think, creating a variety of unsettling emotions. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space to process hardships and triumphs that create anxiety, depression, and inability to enjoy your life in the...
