Feminist Theory

Question 1

key figures

Answer 1

Jean Baker Miller (1928-2006)
Carolyn Zerbe Enns
Olivia Epsin
Laura Brown

Question 2

A Global View of Therapy

Answer 2

Another unique facet of this approach is the global view of the
counselor’s responsibilities. Although the counselor is expected to be
present with the client and acknowledge the client’s experience, the
counselor is also expected to act or advocate on behalf of all clients.
The reasoning is the counselor can be a factor in instituting change to
make the world more equitable.

Question 3

Key Principles

Answer 3

As you continue to read and explore feminist therapy, you will notice
the following principles throughout:
1. The personal is political,
2. Relationships are egalitarian,
3. Women’s perspectives are valued,
4. Empowerment is the primary therapeutic goal. (Park, Caruso &
Guidry, n.d.)

Question 4

Human Nature

Answer 4

Feminist therapy views all humans have experienced some type of
OPPRESSION in their lifetime.
1. Clients who experience oppression experience
DEVALUATION of their strengths.

Question 5

Human Nature 2

Answer 5

The feminist therapy view of human nature, may be easier
described by what views it does not endorse:
1. Androcentric: or male oriented constructs to conceptualize
human nature.
2. Gendercentric: there are separate developmental paths for
men and women.
3. Ethnocentric: the assumption that human development is
similar across all races, cultures and nations.

4. Heterosexist: the view that heterosexual orientation is normative and same sex / bisexual / asexual orientations are abnormal.
5. Intrapsychic: the attribution of behavior to the victim which results in blaming the victim. (“She shouldn’t have dressed that way if she didn’t want to attract attention from bad men.”)
6. Determinism: the belief present personality patterns and behavior are fixed at an early age. (Worell & Remar, 2003 as cited in Grant, n.d.)

Question 6

Key Concepts

Answer 6

1. The client knows what is best for his or her life and is the expert in their own life.
   a. Instead of using the term dysfunction, feminist counselors use the term “distress” as women’s behaviors tend to be pathologized.
2. The counselor educates the client about the therapeutic process.
3. Feminist counselors do not subscribe to typical assessment of psychological dysfunction.
4. To experience individual change, clients need to experience and be part of social change.
5. Clients are encouraged to be socially involved in advocacy and activism.

Question 7

4 Approaches to Therapy

Answer 7

Liberal Feminism
Helps the individual overcome the constraints of their socialization patterns.
Cultural Feminism
Oppression stems from society’s devaluation of women’s strengths. Emphasizes the differences and inequity between men and women.
Radical Feminism
The oppression of women is embedded in patriarchy. The goal is to change society through activism.
Socialist Feminism
Women and others experience multiple oppressions. The solutions lie in addressing issues related to class, race and all other forms of discrimination.

Question 8

Intervention Techniques

Answer 8

A. Although feminist therapy does not subscribe to a single approach, it has identified unique interventions that can be used in any therapeutic setting:

1. Gender role analysis and intervention: explore the impact of gender role expectations in their lives; provides insight into the ways social issues affect their problems.
2. Power analysis and power intervention: explore the power differences between men and women in society; clients helped to recognize different kinds of powers they possess and how it can be exercised.
3. Bibliotherapy: reading assignments that address issues such as gender-role stereotypes, power differential, gender inequality, etc. Primarily focused on where the client sees themselves within those narratives (projective identification).
4. Assertiveness training: clients become aware of their interpersonal rights, changes negative beliefs and core messages that promote subservience.
5. Reframing: change the frame of reference for looking at an individual’s behavior.
6. Relabeling: change the label or evaluation applied to the client’s behavior, typically focused in a positive manner.

Question 9

A philosophical orientation

Answer 9

lends itself to an integration of feminist, multicultural, and social justice concepts w/ a variety of psychotherapy approaches

Question 10

gender-fair approaches

Answer 10

explains differences in the behavior of women and men in terms of socialization process rather than on the basis of our “innate” natures, thus avoiding dichotomized stereotypes in social roles and interpersonal behavior

Question 11

flexible-multicultural perspective

Answer 11

concepts and strategies that apply equally to individuals and groups regardless of age, race, culture, gender, ability, class, or sexual orientation

Question 12

interactionist view

Answer 12

contains concepts specific to the thinking, feeling, and behaving dimensions of human experience and accounts for contextual and environmental factors

Question 13

life-span perspective

Answer 13

assumes human development is lifelong process; personality and behavioral changes can occur at any time rather than being fixed during early childhood

Question 14

engendered lives

Answer 14

gender understood as organizing principle in people’s lives (Kaschak)

Question 15

Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT)

Answer 15

women’s sense of identity and self concept develop in context of relationships. process of relational movement in which women move through connections, disconnections, and enhanced transformative relationships throughout their lives.

Question 16

therapeutic goals

Answer 16

empowerment, valuing, affirming diversity, strive for change, equality, balance of independence and interdependence, social change, self-nururance. assist individuals in viewing themseleves as active agents on their own behalf and on behalf of others.

Question 17

client-therapist relationship

Answer 17

egalitarian. the very structure of the client-therapist relationship models how to identify and use power responsibly.

Question 18

role of diagnosis

Answer 18

focuss on distress rather than psychopathology. critical of DSM. believe diagnostic labels are severely limiting. emphasis of feminist therapy is on wellness rather than disease, reslience rather than deficits, and a celebration of diverse strengths.

Question 19

strategies

Answer 19

empowerment
self-disclosure
gender-role/social i.d. analysis
gender-role intervention
power analysis
bibliotherapy
assertiveness training
reframing and relabeling
social action
group work