Key Concepts of Feminist Therapy
Problems are viewed in a sociopolitical and cultural context
- The client knows what is best for her life and is the expert on her
own life
- Emphasis is on educating clients about the therapy process
- Traditional ways of assessing psychological health are challenged
- It is assumed that individual change will best occur through
social change
- Clients are encouraged to take social action
Four Approaches to Feminist Therapy
1. Liberal Feminism
Focus
Helping individual women overcome the limits and constraints of their
socialization patterns
Major goals
Personal empowerment of individual women
Dignity
Self-fulfillment
Equality
Four Approaches to Feminist Therapy
2. Cultural Feminism
Oppression stems from society’s devaluation of women’s strengths
- Emphasize the differences between women and men
- Believe the solution to oppression lies in feminization of the culture
society becomes more nurturing, cooperative, and relational
Major goal of therapy is the infusion of society with values based on
cooperation
Four Approaches to Feminist Therapy
Radical Feminism
Focus
The oppression of women that is embedded in patriarchy
Seek to change society through activism
Therapy is viewed as a political enterprise with the goal of transformation
of society
Major goals
Transform gender relationships
Transform societal institutions
Increase women’s sexual and procreative self-determination.
Four Approaches to Feminist Therapy
Socialist Feminism
Also have goal of societal change
- Emphasis on multiple oppressions
- Believe solutions to society’s problems must include consideration of:
Class
Race
Other forms of discrimination
Major goal of therapy is to transform social relationships and
institutions
Principles of Feminist Therapy
The personal is political
- The counseling relationship is egalitarian
- Women’s experiences are honored
- Definitions of distress and "mental illness" are reformulated
- There is an integrated analysis of oppression
Goals of Feminist Therapy
To become aware of one’s gender-role socialization process
- To identify internalized gender-role messages and replace them
with functional beliefs
- To acquire skills to bring about change in the environment
- To develop a wide range of behaviors that are freely chosen
- To become personally empowered
Intervention Techniques in Feminist Therapy
Gender-role analysis and intervention
To help clients understand the impact of gender-role expectations
in their lives
- Provides clients with insight into the ways social issues affect their
problems
Power analysis and power intervention
Emphasis on the power differences between men and women in society
- Clients helped to recognize different kinds of power they possess and
how they and others exercise power
Intervention Techniques in Feminist Therapy
Bibliotherapy
Reading assignments that address issues such as
Coping skills • Gender inequality
Gender-role stereotypes • Ways sexism is promoted
Power differential • Society's obsession
between women and men with thinness
Self-disclosure
To help equalize the therapeutic relationship and provide modeling for
the client
- Values, beliefs about society, and therapeutic interventions discussed
- Allows the client to make an informed choice
Intervention Techniques in Feminist Therapy
Assertiveness training
Women become aware of their interpersonal rights
Transcends stereotypical sex roles
Changes negative beliefs
Implement changes in their daily lives
Reframing
Changes the frame of reference for looking at an individual's behavior
Shifting from an intrapersonal to an interpersonal definition of a client’s
problem
Intervention Techniques in Feminist Therapy
Relabeling
Changes the label or evaluation applied to the client's behavioral characteristics
- Generally, the focus is shifted from a negative to a positive evaluation