1. Psych 222 Theory of Feminist Therapy Practice  Guiding principles  Questioning standards  Roles  Examples: working with rape survivors  Challenges  Practice: context & self

2. Guiding Principles of Feminist Therapy  “Downstream” fable  Sociopolitical aims: equity and justice  Value different experiences, perspectives  Integrated analysis of role of oppression Sees culture as stratified Interlocking vectors power/privilege  Address abuses of power  Sees therapy as value laden  Imperative for social change

3. Questioning Traditional Standards  Who defines mental health?  How is mental health measured?  What is the context for scientific research?  Considers qualitative research  Is “treatment” metaphor empowering or disempowering?

4. Roles of Feminist Therapist  Advocate for policies and laws  Pioneer research and treatments  Help cts connect problems to context  Uses therapy relationship as key to healing, emphasizes connection

5. Example: Working with Female Rape Survivors  Establish informed consent  Assess trauma history/context  Connect rape to continuum of violence against women  Therapy relationship as healing  Enable ct to experience anger  Help ct construct empowering narrative

6. Challenges of Feminist Therapist  Therapist must be fully present  Integration of theories & practices  Setting boundaries and being egalitarian  Compassion fatigue  Working on both prevention and intervention

7. Practice: Talking to Cts Culture & Self  How do you identify ethnically?  What role has culture played in your life?  I’m wondering if there are ways in which your experiences with your culture have helped you?  I’m wondering if there are ways in which your experiences with your culture have caused problems for you?

8. Practice: Talking to Cts Gender, Development & Self  What does it mean to you for you to be a man/ woman with that cultural background?  What is like for you to be in your 20s/30s and to have reached this stage of life?  I’m wondering if there are any significant transitions affecting you at this time..  I’m wondering if there are any self doubts or concerns related to being at this point in your life that you want to discuss…

9. Practice: Talking to Cts Class & Self  I’m wondering about opportunities that you had growing up  What do you remember about being in school as a child?  About after school?  About work experiences  About opportunities for higher ed.?  Were there people who served as role models for you-who were they?  I’m wondering if you see yourself as a role model…

10. Practice: Talking to Cts Ability & Self  I’m wondering if there any accomplishments or abilities you are particularly proud of…  Are there any things that are particularly hard for you?  How have these challenges affected to you?  How have you sought to overcome these challenges?

11. Practice: Talking to Cts The Problem  If there was one thing you could change through therapy, what would it be?  What would it mean for you to change this?  How would an average day be different?  How would those close to you react if you made this change?  What makes it hard to accomplish this change?  I’m wondering if this is something we could work on together…