Approach: Feminist therapy

Overview
Feminist Therapy is a set of related therapies arising from the disparity between the origin of most psychological theories (which have male authors) and the majority of people seeking counseling being female. It focuses on societal, cultural, and political causes and solutions to issues faced in the counseling process. It openly encourages the client to participate in the world in a more social and political way.

Shared Concepts in Feminist Therapy
Feminist therapies arose from various contexts, authors, and historical perspectives. However, all of them can be considered to share some basic characteristics.


 * The person is political
 * Personal and social identities are interdependent
 * Conventional distress and "mental illness" concepts are challenged
 * The role of oppression is central
 * The counseling relationship is egalitarian
 * Women's perspectives are valued

Principal Styles of Feminist Therapies
The principal styles noted here correspond to different types of feminism.


 * Liberal
 * Cultural
 * Radical
 * Socialist
 * Postmodern
 * Women of color
 * Lesbian
 * Global-international

Goals of Therapy
Five principal goals of therapy exist


 * Equality
 * Balancing independence and interdependence
 * Empowerment
 * Self-nurturance
 * Valuing diversity

Therapeutic Strategies
The following strategies are typical of feminist therapy.


 * Empowerment
 * Self-disclosure
 * Gender-role analysis
 * Gender-role intervention
 * Power analysis and power intervention
 * Bibliotherapy
 * Assertiveness training
 * Reframing and relabeling
 * Group work
 * Social action

Contributors to Feminist Therapy

 * Sandra Bem
 * Laura Brown
 * Jean Baker Miller
 * Carolyn Enns
 * Ellyn Kaschak