Feminist Therapy Handout
Feminist Therapy Handout
Feminist Therapy Handout
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Womens movement in the 1970s and 1980s
In the 1970s, research on gender-bias emerged and helped further
feminist therapy ideas and formal organizations began to foster the
development and defining of feminist therapy.
Self-in relation model (Relational-cultural model) validated relational and
cooperative dimensions of womens experience
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Use deconstruction and discourse analysis to show how reality is
constructed.
Women of color
Believe that it is essential that feminist theory be broadened and made
more inclusive.
Want to include an analysis of multiple oppressions, an assessment of
access to privilege and power, and to emphasize activism.
Lesbian
Heterosexism is at the core of womens oppression. Also, womens
oppression is related to sexualized images of women.
Their perspective calls for feminist theory to include an analysis of multiple
identities and their relationship to oppression and to recognize the
diversity that exists among lesbians.
Global international
Take a worldwide perspective and seek to understand the ways in which
racism, sexism, economics, and classism affect women in different
countries.
They see the need to address those cultural differences that directly
contribute to womens oppression.
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Life-span perspective
Assumes that human development is a lifelong process and change
can occur anytime.
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Roles and Functions of the therapist
Feminist therapists are:
Committed to monitoring their own biases and distortions,
especially the social and cultural dimensions of womens
experiences.
Committed to understanding oppression in all its forms sexism,
racism, heterosexism and they consider the impact of oppression
and discrimination of psychological well-being.
The value being emotionally present for their clients, being willing to
share themselves during the therapy hour, modeling proactive
behaviors, and being committed to their own consciousness-raising
process.
They work to free women (and men) from roles that have
constrained them from realizing their potential.
Therapists and the clients take active and equal roles, working
together to determine goals and procedures.
They avoid assuming a therapist role is of an all-knowing expert,
assuming instead the role of a relational expert.
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Relationship Between the Therapist and
Client
The therapeutic relationship is based on empowerment and
egalitarianism.
The very structure of the client-therapist relationship models how to
identify and use power responsibly.
The therapist use their power responsibly.
Clients are encouraged to identify and express their feelings.
Therapist makes a client and active partner in determining any diagnosis
by making use of appropriate self-disclosure.
Therapists respect the clients decision to proceed or not proceed with a
particular therapeutic technique.
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Assertiveness Training
By teaching and promoting assertive behavior, women become aware of
the following:
Their interpersonal rights
Transcend stereotypical gender roles
Change negative beliefs
Implement changes in their daily lives
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Feminist therapy from a Multicultural
Perspective
Strength From a Diversity Perspective
Feminist therapy and multicultural perspectives have the most in common.
Recognize and address sexism, racism and other cultural variables
Shortcomings From a Diversity Perspective
Remer (2008) acknowledges that this practice of challenging societal
values and structures that subordinate certain groups as a shortcoming
approach.
Therapists must understand fully and respect the cultural values of clients
from diverse groups.
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Contributions
Gender-sensitive practice and awareness of the impact of cultural context and
multiple oppressions.
Emphasis on social change, which can lead to a transformation in society.
Proper focus of the therapy includes addressing oppressive factors in society
rather than expecting individuals to merely adapt to expected role behaviors.
Building community, providing authentic mutual empathic relationships, creating
a sense of social awareness and the emphasis on social change are all
significant strengths of this approach.
The principles and techniques of feminist therapy can be incorporated in many
other contemporary therapy models and vice versa (Enns, 2003).
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