Feminist Therapy

Questions? What are the differences in terms of gender- role socialization for this couple? As a woman or as a man, what kind of messages do you receive from people? How do these gender-role expectations impact you as a therapist?

Key Concepts Problems are viewed in a sociopolitical and cultural context The client is the expert in her/his own life Challenge traditional ways of assessing psychological health It is assumed that changes in individuals will best occur through social change Clients are encouraged to take social actions

View of Human Nature Gender-fair Differences between women and men are due to socialization processes Flexible-multicultural Apply equally to both individuals and groups regardless of age, race, culture, gender, class, sexual orientation, and ability. Interactionist Consider contextual and environmental factors Life-span-oriented Human development is a lifelong process and change can occur at any time

Goals of Feminist Therapy Be aware of their gender-role socialization process Identify negative internalized messages and replace them with self-enhancing beliefs Understand how sexism and oppression influence them in a negative way Help women define themselves instead of defined by societal standards (e.g., body image)

Goals of Feminist Therapy Help women free from the impact of gender- role expectations Men and women are equal Balance self-nurturance and relationship Empowering clients Take actions to change society

Therapist’s function and Role Use gender and power analyses to understand clients and their concerns monitor their own biases Commit to understanding oppression and its impacts Value being emotionally present for their clients, sharing their experiences, and modeling proactive behaviors Use techniques from other approaches Hold beliefs in common with humanistic and person- centered approach

Therapeutic Relationship Therapeutic relationship is not sufficient Therapeutic relationship is empowering and egalitarian Model how to identify and use power Use self-disclosure to reduce the power differential Honor clients’ experiences Include clients in the assessment and treatment process

Intervention Techniques Gender-role analysis To help clients understand the impact of gender-role expectations in their lives Gender-role intervention Provides clients with insight into ways on how social issues affect their problems

Intervention Techniques Power analysis Emphasize on the power differences between men and women in society Power intervention Help clients appreciate themselves as they are and gain self-confidence

Intervention Techniques Self-disclosure Use therapeutic self-disclosure to equalize the therapeutic relationship, normalize experience, or provide modeling for the client Bibliotherapy Self-help books, videos, or films can be used as bibliotherapy resources. To increase client’s expertise and decrease power differential between the therapist and the client

Intervention Techniques Reframing A shift from blaming oneself to looking at society for an explanation. Re-labeling Changes the label or evaluation applied to the client's behavioral characteristics Re-labeling depression as reactions to external standard instead of being unattractive

Intervention Techniques Assertiveness training Increase women’s awareness of their interpersonal rights Assertiveness refers to standing up for one’s right without violating other’s rights.

Research on Feminist Therapy Very little research Feminist group therapy (Johnson, 1976): group cohesiveness, interpersonal learning, and finding that the therapist is a competent woman are considered the most helpful factors in improvement Research indicated that women in feminist therapy are more likely to have radical political views identify themselves as members of the women’s movement Research indicated that therapists in feminist therapy are more likely to use self-disclosure create an egalitarian relationship

Summary & Evaluation- contribution Have the most in common with multicultural perspectives Direct actions for social change Recognize sexism, racism, and other forms of oppression Pay attentions to gender-role socialization, power issues in relationship, and external environmental factors. The principles and techniques of feminist therapy can be incorporated into other therapy models

Summary & Evaluation-- limitations Avoid imposing their values on their clients Focus on contextual or environmental factors and move away from exploring the inner factors (both a strength and a limitation) Is it a theory?---this is a debatable question Developed by White, middle-class, heterosexual women---therefore it may be biased