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

David Gordon

New York

New York

I specialize in helping people who: (1) experience dissatisfying patterns in relationships at work, with family members, friends, partners, and in dating; (2) feel disconnected and are looking for greater intimacy, authenticity, freedom, play, and fulfillment in life; (3) feel stuck in patterns they do not understand; (4) experience sexual dissatisfaction; and, (5) experience emotional distress...
Work with adolescents and their families is where my passion lies. I understand and believe that the system a person is operating in can impact all parts of one's life experience. I believe it is important in therapy to meet you where you are at and explore where you want to go. Creating a path to becoming your most authentic self is one of the most rewarding and challenging acts you can do. I ...
You might be here because dealing with personal problems on your own is no longer working. Perhaps feelings of isolation, anxiety, and sadness consume you on a daily basis. Maybe your relationship with your partner is suffering tremendously and you don't know where to turn. When challenges like these arise in our lives, it can feel scary to take the steps to seek out a safe outlet for support....
Jennifer provides counseling services to adult individuals in a relaxed, non-judgmental and safe atmosphere where you can share your concerns comfortably. Her style is mostly cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy, incorporating other techniques as needed to best meet your treatment goals. She has over twenty years of experience treating depression, anxiety, and abuse- and trauma-related...

Renee H Reopell

New York

New York

I'm so glad you're here. Finding a supportive, therapeutic home can be a difficult challenge for us as queer, transgender, and non-binary people. Therefore, I hold some values to create a safer space: you are the expert in your own lived experience; you already posses the strengths that will help you with the challenges you're facing; you deserve a place without judgement; and you are entitled ...
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker the past 16 years, I have worked with a variety of clients including Adolescents, Adults and Emerging Adults. I enjoy working with adults most. Having worked at a CMHC the majority of my career, I gained skills in working with adults presenting with a range of concerns including trauma, mood disorders, addictions, grief, anxiety and depression as well as lif...
I believe that most of us just want to be heard and accepted – just as we are in the most authentic form, but feel trapped by frustration, anxiety, depression, doubt, inner-critic, societal expectations, or fear. And there is so much healing that takes place when they start to explore and face head-on the difficult stuff they have been carrying with them for most of their lives. So I strive to...
My goal is to compassionately help clients walk through their most challenging times, so they may live healthy and happy lives. I hold a safe space for clients to face and resolve issues. I specialize in helping bereaved clients and their families heal and thrive. I help teens and adults manage anxiety and situational depression, improve self-esteem, heal life challenges, and implement guilt-fr...
The clients I enjoy working with most are the ones who feel like they keep going in circles and aren't getting anywhere. I enjoy working with clients who are unsure about going to therapy, or who haven't had the best experiences in the past. Maybe they're nervous I'll side with their spouse. Maybe they're worried all we'll do is talk about what's wrong. I get how uncomfortable coming into thera...

Kristin Vergo

Denver

Colorado

Are you interested in holistic health? Are you searching for more purpose in your life? Are your relationships unfulfilling? Do you feel disconnected to yourself and others? I help clients create a life and relationships that are more in line with what they value and feel more nourishing on a soul level. I specialize in working with couples and relationships, both with self and others. Through...
When describing my work as a therapist, I often say that therapy is the art of having awkward conversations. The things that come up during therapy sessions aren’t often broached around the dinner table or at social gatherings, so talking about them can feel overwhelmingly weird. No one wakes up in the morning and says, "Hmm. You know what I'd like to do today? Spend an hour talking to a strang...
With over 17 years working in mental health, I hope to present my clients with a wide range of experience and insight into their presenting problems. Using a foundation of cognitive-behavioral theory, interpersonal therapy and other personalized treatment approaches, clients can find a source of support and respectful reflection to solve and manage behavioral and emotional issues. I have...

Mallory Hawkes

Orlando

Florida

I want you to take a second and think about what is holding you back in your life. Now imagine the person or potential you could have if those things ceased to exist. My goal in our therapeutic journey is to find collaborative ways for you to excel in your hardships, find effective ways to cope, or implementing problem solving skills. No one deserves suffering or unhappiness! Let's work togethe...
I embrace diversity and individuality. As a multiethnic and multiracial woman, I am passionate about honoring your unique identity and story. Life and work stressors, multicultural issues, women's issues, shame/guilt, self-esteem, identity, emotional regulation, grief, creativity, and relationship issues may be areas you want support navigating. We will co-create together the course of our work...

Amelia Justice

Chicago

Illinois

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, adults and families. I work with clients experiencing a wide variety of life circumstances and issues; however, I have specialty training working with school-aged children, college students and families. My approach to working with clients is to first provide them an environment where their life circumstances can be...