Chapter 12 Feminist Therapy

Feminist Therapy Sprang from the emergence of the women’s movement in the 1960s and 1970s. Encourages men and women to become aware of socialization patterns and personal options they may have in altering traditional gender roles. Offers women a nonsexist and active way of addressing social ills and creating a positive sense of self. Began to escalate after the publication of Carol Gilligan’s In a Different Voice (1982).

Carol Gilligan Born in 1936 in New York City. While a research assistant for Lawrence Kohlberg at Harvard, she disagreed with the emphasis in his moral development research that focused primarily on males and issues pertinent to them. Considered a pioneer in gender studies and particularly in the psychological and moral development of girls. Named one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential people in 1996.

View of Human Nature/Personality Although diverse in nature, feminist views have some common beliefs. In society, women have been constrained and repressed. Clients know what is best for their lives and are expert on their own lives. Societal relationships and institutions, as well as gender relationships, are primarily based on non-cooperative values.

Roles of the Counselor/Therapist Works as an educator and demystifies what counseling is and how the therapeutic process works. An egalitarian and collaborative role is taken by the counselor. Self-disclosure is often used as a way of reducing the power differentiation. The counselor does not usually make diagnoses, but rather includes clients in the assessment and treatment process.

Goals Become aware of one’s gender role socialization process and internalized gender-role messages and replace them with functional beliefs. Become personally empowered. Acquire skills to bring about change in the environment. Promote and foster equality in society and in female/male relationships. Help clients balance independence and interdependence. Assist clients in becoming more nurturing. Value diversity in all its forms.

Process and Techniques Based on the recognized inferior status of women in society. Emphasis on valuing social, political, and economic action as a major part of the process of treatment.

Feminist Techniques Gender role analysis Gender role intervention The counselor helps clients analyze messages they have been given by significant others about how they should behave or appear. Gender role intervention A social analysis is conducted on the implications of gender-roles and other social expectations. Power analysis Counselors help clients recognize the difference in power between men and women in society. Power refers to the ability to access resources in order to effect change on a personal and/or external level.

Feminist Techniques Power intervention Assertiveness training Strengthening or empowering clients through reinforcing their statements or information. Assertiveness training Teaching clients how to ask for or state what they want in a clear and direct way. Reframing and Relabeling Enabling clients to see situations from a different perspective and attribute a different meaning to certain behaviors.

Feminist Techniques Bibliotherapy and Scriptotherapy Reading and writing can help reinforce what is explored in therapeutic environments. Demystifying Therapy Therapists are clear, open, and direct in explaining what therapy is and how it works. Group Work/Social Action May be useful adjuncts to the feminist approach and promote unity.

Multicultural and Gender Sensitive Issues Feminist counseling is seen as both a multicultural and gender sensitive form of therapy. The concepts and strategies apply equally to individuals and groups regardless of age, race, culture, gender, or sexual orientation.

Strengths and Contributions Feminist therapy has paved the way for gender-sensitive counseling practices. Effective with women who are motivated for change and empowerment. Highlights importance of cooperation and self-disclosure in relationships. Emphasizes acceptance of oneself, including one’s body “as is.” Men may gain insights from feminist counseling when they are sensitized to the plight of women. Extremely flexible and inclusive.

Limitations and Criticisms Has not been rigorously evaluated. Difficulty finding adequate training in feminist counseling and psychotherapy. Does not take a neutral stand in regard to issues. Lack of concrete approaches. Lack of agreement on whether the approach is a theory or a philosophical orientation.

The Case of Linda: Feminist Therapy How would you conceptualize this case using feminist therapy? What would be your treatment plan for this client using a feminist approach?