Feminist Therapy. Questions? What are the differences in terms of gender- role socialization for...
-
Upload
rodger-nicholson -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
2
Transcript of Feminist Therapy. Questions? What are the differences in terms of gender- role socialization for...
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