Feminist Therapy

*The Feminist Therapy does not have a single founder.

Jean Baker Miller, MD

(1928-2006)

 

 Carolyn Zerbe Enns, PhD

 

 

 

Olivia M. Espin, PhD

 

 

Laura S. Brown, PhD

 

 

 

 

 

Goals:

• To bring about transformation both in the individual client & in society.

• To assist clients in recognizing, claiming, & using their personal power to free themselves from the limitations of gender-role socialization.

• To confront all forms of institutional policies that discriminate or oppress on any basis. 

   

  

   

   

   

  Key Concepts:

  • The main principles are is that the personal is political, therapists have a commitment to social change, women's voices, ways of knowing are valued, & women's experiences are honored.

  • The counseling relationship is egalitarian, therapy focuses on strengths & a reformulated definition of psychological distress, & all types of oppression are recognized. 

     

    

     

     

    Theories: 

    • The constructs of feminist therapy include being gender fair, flexible, interactionist, & life-span-oriented.

    • Gender & power are the heart of feminist therapy.

    • This is a systems approach that recognizes the cultural, social, & political factors that contribute to an individual's problems.

    • The personal is political.

    • Commitment to social change.

    • Women's & girl's voices & ways of knowing are valued & their experiences are honored.

    • The counseling relationship is egalitarian.

    • A focus on strengths & a reformulated definition of psychological distress.

    • All types of oppression are recognized.

      
      

      

      
      

      
      

      Other Techniques:

      • Employ consciousness-raising techniques aimed at helping clients recognize the impact of gender-role socialization on their lives.

      • Gender-role analysis & intervention

      • Power analysis  intervention

      • Demystifying therapy

      • Bibliotherapy

      • Journal writing

      • Therapist self-disclosure

      • Assertiveness training

      • Reframing & relabeling

      • Cognitive restructuring

      • Identifying & challenging untested beliefs

      • Role playing

      • Psychodramatic methods

      • Group work

      • Social action

        
        

        
        

        Feminist Theory

    
    

    
    

    Resources:

    
    

•  Corey, G. (2013)..Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th ed.,). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

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