Feminist Therapy

Question 1

Radical Feminism

Answer 1

Most historic; often most controversial
- started feminist movement
- focuses on inequality between men and women, as well as ongoing oppression of women
- the deconstruction of patriarchal dominance is often central concern

Question 2

Liberal Feminism

Answer 2

aim to neutralize/eliminate/minimize gender differences
- view men & women as capable of similar successes and struggles
- in bias-free environment, men/women basically behave similarily

Question 3

Cultural Feminism

Answer 3

tends to focus more on positive components of women’s social roles
- value and promote the gender differences between men and women
- relational-cultural theory

Question 4

Describe how the theory can stand alone or be integrated

Answer 4

Application of feminist philosophy is not unique to counseling
- in all applications, an emphasis on empowerment and advocacy

Can be a stand-alone theory or can be integrated
- either way, seeks to make visible how social identities/experiences associated with the gender roles people have been socialized to accept contribute to psychological and sociological problems

Contemporary feminist therapy goes beyond gender considerations - put intersections

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Question 5

Male feminist therapists are willing to:

Answer 5

• understand and “own” their privilege
• confront sexist behavior in themselves and others
• redefine “masculinity” and “femininity” and work toward establishing egalitarian relationships
• engage in and support the efforts being made to create a just society

Question 6

Development of Feminist Therapy

Answer 6

• no single individual can be identified as the founder of this approach, reflecting a central theme of feminist collaboration
• the beginnings of feminism (first wave) can be traced back to the late 1800’s
• the women’s movement of the 1960s (the second wave) laid the foundation for the development of feminist therapy
• current: feminist therapy is a “postmodern, technically integrative approach that emphasizes analysis of gender, power, and social location as strategies for facilitating change”

Question 7

Relational Cultural Theory

Answer 7

Emphasizes the vital role that relationships and connectedness with others play in the lives of women (and humanity)

Therapists adopting this approach aim to:
- lessen the suffering caused by disconnection and isolation
- increase clients’ capacity for relational resilience
- develop mutual empathy and mutual empowerment
- foster social justice

Question 8

Feminist Therapy: Key Concepts

Answer 8

1. The person is political and critical consciousness
2. Women’s/girl’s voices & ways of knowing are valued and their experiences honored.
3. Focus on strengths & redefinition of psychological distress.
4. All types of oppression are recognized along with the connections among them.
5. Commitment to social change

Question 9

Feminist therapy: theory of personality

Answer 9

• no one theory of personality
• personality is shaped by societal gender-role expectations and gender-based discrimination (girls - be sweet, sensitive, docile; boys: strong, stoic, and brave)

“Engendered lives” describes idea of gender as a powerful organizing principle in personality development

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