Jean Baker Miller, Carolyn Zerbe Enns, Oliva M Espin, Laura S. Brown Feminist Therapy Jean Baker Miller, Carolyn Zerbe Enns, Oliva M Espin, Laura S. Brown

Background Role of social, political and cultural context in individual’s problems Power: central aspect in human relations Dominant group has the most say in determining rules and codes of conduct (economics, political, behavioral, educational) tends to consider what is different from them as deviant or “not as good” Perspective of psychological theories: White European middle class men Male gender role as normative

Women’s movement of the 1960’s Reaction against limited female gender roles Gender socialization affects women’s development and well-being Cultural conceptions of gender serve as an organizing principle in people’s identity Traditional therapy: way to maintain the status quo Need for psychological theories that take into account women’s perspectives and political realities

1970’s and 1980’s Research on gender bias Self-in relation models: Validate relational and cooperative dimensions of women's experience Question: are these intrinsic versus learned characteristics ? Research emphasis on body image, eating disorders, sexual abuse domestic abuse

1970’s and 1980’s Expanded focus to: multiple oppressions gender, race, sexual orientation, social class multicultural competence, and social justice Incorporated ideas about gender socialization in working with men -- Men’s Movement Men and masculinity gender role norms

Gender Roles Theory: Original vs. Post Modern Feminism Original: There are two innate (biologically rooted) paths of development for women and men. Society devalues women’s dispositions of connectedness and inter-dependence and exalts men’s independent and autonomous orientation. Socio-cultural and power analyses Rejects the notion of innate gender differences Traditional women’s gender roles and dispositions have been acquired/learned in the context of women’s subservient position to men

Hare-Mustin, Rachel T. & Marecek, Jeanne (1988) Hare-Mustin, Rachel T. & Marecek, Jeanne (1988). The meaning of difference: Gender theory, postmodernism, and psychology. American Psychologist, Vol 43(6), 455-464. Women and men are different. ??? Women and men are the same. ????

Common Themes in Feminist Philosophies Gender socialization is central to therapeutic practice for men & women A socio-political and cultural perspective is essential in understanding people’s problems: Ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, class, age & disabilities Symptoms may be self-preservation responses to an oppressive environment

Cultural, socio political perspective Gay Rights -- USA 1973 - Board of Directors of the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). 2015- the Supreme Court is set any day to decide whether states can forbid marriage among same-sex couples from

San Francisco Unified School D. Middle and High S. (CDC)

Goals of Therapy Societal change Empowerment Help clients free themselves from the internalized constraints of gender role socialization and oppression Societal change Social change to eliminate sexism and other forms of oppression

Techniques and Strategies Egalitarian counselor-client relationship Actively engage client in setting the direction, goals, length and procedures of therapy Favors therapist self disclosure to decrease power differential Gender Role Analyses/Intervention Emphasize societal as opposed to intra-psychic origin of problems Examine how internalized societal expectations regarding gender roles are related to client’s issues Internalized homo-phobia, racial devaluation

Techniques and Strategies Power analysis Raise awareness of power difference between men and women in society (or other groups). Help clients recognize different kinds of power they possess and how they and others exercise power – personal and societal levels Assertiveness Training Teach firm, proactive behaviors to have person stand for themselves

Techniques and Strategies Bibliotherapy To help educate clients about societal issues Increases clients’ expertise and decreases power differential in therapy Social Action Encourage clients to actively influence social change regarding women/other oppressed groups Helps empower clients by making the connection between society and personal problems

1972 2011 Social action and protests started at both the K-12 and the Collegiate level. At the time it was not against the law to discriminate again women in funding for athletic programs in educational institutions. In addition women were not allowed to play in the boys/men teams. The legal argument used was based on parents of girls were discriminated against when their tax dollars for schools did not benefit them. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance …” — Title IX

Contributions Raised awareness of multiple oppressions: cultural, contextual, individual Validated women’s perspectives Recognized and sanctioned sexual conduct in therapeutic relations Valued strengths in women's qualities of nurturance and cooperation (rather than competition) Established as proper focus of therapy to change oppressive conditions rather than just expect clients to adapt to them

Limitations Feminist therapy does not take a neutral stance regarding gender roles May put undue pressure on clients to follow a specific direction Not all clients may be interested in engaging in social action Over-emphasis on environmental factors may Neglect exploration of the intra-psychic world Motivate clients to forsake responsibility for themselves in the face of an unjust world