Jackie CardinalAna DominguezGina HostermanCrystal Wilson

Feminist topics:HistoryPhilosophyNature of wellness and personhoodProcess of counselingUsefulness within student affairsCultural awarenessChristian/faith worldview

HistoryEmerges in the 1800s

Alfred AdlerKaren Horney

Women’s Movement 1960s“Created when psychotherapy failed marginalized people in fundamental ways” (Corey, 2005)

Grassroots phenomenonAmerican Psychological Association (APA)Jean Baker Miller, Carolyn SerbeEnns, Olivia M. Espin& Laura S. Brown

History continued…American Psychological Association (APA)

Jean Baker Miller, Carolyn SerbeEnns, Olivia M. Espin& Laura S. Brown

main feminist philosophies that overlap ideas and views but main focus is equality: Socialist GlobalRadical LesbianCultural Women of Color Liberal

Socialistemphasizes the need for change in institutional and social relationships (marriage, family, prostitution, heterosexuality) to end oppression of women

Radicalneed for change in gender relations and societal institutions. In addition, they strive to increase women’s self awareness (sexuality, desires and views for having children)

CulturalImportant to recognize that women are devalued in society and how detrimental this is

LiberalFocuses on the individual and the biases faced in regards to self awareness, self-respect, esteem, and equality

Lesbian FeminismAnalyzes multiple identities and recognizes the diversity of lesbians

Women of Color FeminismBroadens to include the experiences of women of color

Emphasizes activismAnalyzes multiple oppressions and access to privilege and power

Global FeminismExamines how racism, classism, and economics impact women in different countries

Examines western ethnocentrism and the stereotyping of women in different parts of the world

•Client and Therapist are viewed as being on the same level; “equals”•Client centered, client sets goals, chooses therapy they want to use•No labeling of the client

Focus is on the individual’s symptoms, no automatic assumptions of social factors causing dysfunctional behavior

Therapist may or may not choose to identify as a feminist therapist

Therapist will state their values upfront, client decides whether to continue the therapy

Process of TherapyEmpowerment Overall goal of feminist therapy is empowering the client.

Therapist pays special attention to informed consent issues.

The therapist will work on a contract with client. This will demystify the therapy process and the client will become an equal participant in the process.

Case StudyJill is a traditional age college student who comes into therapy stating that she is depressed. She says she “hates herself” for having gained so much weight since she started college. She feels she is doomed to be alone for the rest of her life because she came to APU to find a good Christian man. With her being overweight, she feels unattractive.

If Jill was your client how would you set some goals with her?

Self Disclosure

Therapist can share life experiences with client

Equalizes the client-therapist relationship

Establishes consent

Gender-Role Analysis Begins with the client indentifying the societal messages they received about how women and men should be and act.

Ex. The therapist begins to ask Jill about the messages she has received related to weight and appearance from society, her peers, the media, and her family. Jill begins to recant how her mother made remarks to her like, “It’s a good thing I caught your father when I still had a figure.”

Gender-Role InterventionAim is to provide the client with insight and show how societal messages are affecting them

Ex. The therapist begins to tell Jill about how society focuses on the thinness with females. The messages are so ingrained that many girls are dieting in elementary school.

Power AnalysisTogether the therapist and client will explore how inequities or institutional barriers often limit self-definition and well-being.

Ex. The power analysis will help Jill become aware of the power difference between men and women.

BibliotherapyNonfiction books, autobiographies, self help books, educational videos and film can be used as resources provides client with reading material that can supplement what is learned in therapy.

Assertiveness Training

Developed to teach women to abandon their culturally approved non assertive behavior.

Reframing and RelabelingReframing–Society as a whole contributed to the problem, not just her mother’s point of view.

Relabeling – intervention that changes the label or evaluation applied to some behavioral characteristic.

Ex. Jill can change the labels that she attached to herself such as being fat or unattractive because she is not thin. Jill is encouraged to talk about herself as being a strong healthy woman rather than being “fat”

Social Action/Group WorkTherapist may suggest to client as they become more grounded in their understanding of feminism that they should become more involved in activities.

Class Activity

What suggestions would you give Jill to get more involved?

Examples: working at a rape crisis center or providing community education about gender issues.

Usefulness with student Affairs Feminist Supervision Process

Consists of four parts Five stage model of Feminist Identity DevelopmentStage 1: passive acceptanceStage 2: revelationStage 3: embeddednessStage 4: synthesisStage 5: active commitment

Cultural Awareness Feminist therapist“…advocate for change in social structure, especially in the area of inequality, power in relationships, the right to self-determination, freedom to pursue a career outside or inside the home, and the right to an education”

  This can cause some problems when it comes to clients with different social views and structures.

-If the therapist does not fully understand or respect the clients cultural views then the therapist runs the risk of imposing their own values on the client.

Ex. “A Vietnamese woman who is struggling to find a way to be true to her culture and also to follow her own educational career aspirations.”

The job of the therapist here is not to take away the struggle but rather help their client to become empowered to make a significant decision.  

The feminist approach is egalitarian and they attempt to recognize the power differences in therapy and therefore formulate contracts and clarify the therapy process.

Feminist therapy is valuable approach for individuals who have diverse backgrounds because it focuses on social power imbalances and oppression.

Working with lesbian students who have internalized heterosexism

Feminist Theory & ChristianityFeminist Theory & ChristianityYour true identity and purpose is found when Your true identity and purpose is found when you surrender to Godyou surrender to God’’s will for your lifes will for your life

Romans 12:2 Romans 12:2 ““Do not conform any longer to the Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—able to test and approve what God's will is—

his good, pleasing and perfect will.his good, pleasing and perfect will.””The best way to free and happy life is The best way to free and happy life is

through forgiveness through forgiveness

Luke 6: 37 "Do not judge, and you will not be Luke 6: 37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."measured to you."

References Mahaney, E. (2007). Theory and Techniques of Feminist Therapy.

GoodTherapy.org. Retrieved from: http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/theory-and-techniques-of-feminist-therapy/.

Poole, J. (2010). Perspectives on supervision in Human services: Gazing Through Critical and Feminist Lenses. Michigan Family Review. 1460-70.

Szymanski, D.M. (2005). Feminist Identity and Theories as Correlates of Feminist Supervision Practices. The Counseling Psychologist. 33, 729. 

Szymanski, D. M. (2005). A Feminist Approach to Working With Internalized Heterosexism in Lesbians. Journal of College Counseling, 8(1), 74-85.