Psychology 460 Counseling & Interviewing Feminist Therapy
Sheila K. Grant, Ph.D. Chapter 12
History & Development History & Development
It was thought that little or no considerations Beginnings traced to women movement of of social & cultural causes of mental distress 1960s were present in traditional views During 1960s, responding to emerging needs Feminist therapy developed in grassroots of women, a shift occurred as many female manner psychotherapists spoke out critically against No single individual can be ID as founder traditional views of mental health Sisterhood developed & some of services that evolved from women’s collective desires to Feminist or Gender Sensitive therapy was improve society included developed in response to criticisms that – shelters for battered women, traditional psychotherapies were experienced – rape crisis centers, as non-supportive & possibly damaging to – women’s health centers & women – reproductive health centers
History & Development Key Concepts of Feminist Therapy Only when women therapists participated in consciousness-raising groups Client knows what is best for her life and is And were changed by their experience the expert on her own life Then formed feminist therapy groups that operated Emphasis on educating clients about the from same norms as consciousness raising groups, therapy process including – nonhierarchical relationships, Traditional ways of assessing – equal sharing of resources & power, & psychological health are challenged – empowerment of women Assumed that individual change will best These feminist principles soon began to find their way occur through social change into their work with individual clients Clients are encouraged to take social Stance that therapy action – needed to move away from reliance on an intrapsychic psychopathology perspective (in which the sources of a woman’s unhappiness or mental illness reside within her) – Needed to a focus on understanding the pathological forces in the culture that damage & constrain women
1 View of Human Nature View of Human Nature
Worell & Remar (2003) describe the Worell & Remar (2003) describe 6 constructs of feminist theory as being characteristics of traditional theories that are – Gender-fair outdated and contain biased elements: • Explain diff.s in behavior of women & men in terms of – Androcentric (uses male-oriented constructs to draw socialization processes (rather than ‘true’ nature) conclusions about human nature) – Flexible-multicultural – Gendercentric (Proposes separate developmental paths for • Uses concepts/strategies that apply equally to both women & men) individuals & groups regardless of age, race, culture, gender, ability, class, or sexual orientation – Ethnocentric (assumes that human development & interaction are similar across races, cultures, & nations) – Interactionist – Heterosexist (views heterosexual orientation as normative; • Contains concepts specific to thinking, feeling, & behaving same-sex as abnormal) dimensions of human experience & account for contextual & environmental factors – Intrapsychic (attributes behavior to intrpsychi causes; often results in blaming the victim) – Life-span-oriented • Assumes that human development is a lifelong process & – Determinism (assumes present personality patterns & behvior that personality patterns & behavioral changes can occur are fixed at early developmental stage) at any time than being fixed during early childhood
Four Approaches to Feminist Therapy Four Approaches to Feminist Therapy
1. Liberal Feminism 2. Cultural Feminism – Focus – Oppression stems from society’s devaluation of • Helping individual women overcome the limits and women’s strengths constraints of their socialization patterns – Emphasize the differences between women and – Major goals men • Personal empowerment of individual women – Believe the solution to oppression lies in • Dignity feminization of the culture • Self-fulfillment • Society becomes more nurturing, cooperative, • Equality and relational • All the above possible with bias-free work & social environments – Major goal of therapy is the infusion of society with values based on cooperation
Four Approaches to Feminist Therapy Four Approaches to Feminist Therapy
3. Radical Feminism 4. Socialist Feminism – Focus – Also have goal of societal change • The oppression of women that is embedded in – Emphasis on multiple oppressions patriarchy – Believe solutions to society’s problems must • Seek to change society through activism include consideration of: • Therapy is viewed as a political enterprise with the goal of transformation of society • Class – Major goals • Race • Transform gender relationships • Other forms of discrimination • Transform societal institutions – Major goal of therapy is to transform social • Increase women’s sexual and procreative self- relationships and institutions determination.
2 Principles of Feminist Therapy Goals of Feminist Therapy
Personal is political (problems have sociopolitical roots) To become aware of one’s gender-role Personal and social identities are interdependent socialization process To identify internalized gender-role The counseling relationship is egalitarian messages and replace them with functional Women’s experiences are honored beliefs To acquire skills to bring about change in the Definitions of distress and “mental illness” are environment reformulated (reject the disease model) To develop a wide range of behaviors that are freely chosen There is an integrated analysis of oppression To become personally empowered – Which emphasizes importance of working against Note: Work toward reinterpreting women’s oppression on basis of race, class, culture, religious mental health (depathologize) and social beliefs, sexual orientation, age, disability change
Therapeutic Process Intervention Techniques in Gender sensitive therapy not only provides a Feminist Therapy model of empowerment for women who are treated as an oppressed minority in society, Gender-role analysis and intervention But also is suitable for men, who are – To help clients understand the impact of gender- constricted by sex role injunctions role expectations in their lives In regards men, social norms for the most – Provides clients with insight into the ways social part, demand strength, autonomy, & issues affect their problems competition & limit expression of vulnerability, Power analysis and power intervention sensitivity & empathy – Emphasis on the power differences between men Both men & women benefit from counseling and women in society in which the costs & benefits of role- – Clients helped to recognize different kinds of power they possess and how they and others prescribed behavior are weighed & exercise power opportunities to explore flexible emotional & behavioral alternatives are provided
Intervention Techniques in Intervention Techniques in Feminist Therapy Feminist Therapy
Bibliotherapy Assertiveness training – Reading assignments that address issues such as – Women become aware of their interpersonal rights • Coping skills • Gender inequality – Transcends stereotypical sex roles • Gender-role stereotypes • Ways sexism is promoted – Changes negative beliefs • Power differential • Society's obsession – Implement changes in their daily lives between women and men with thinness Reframing – Self-disclosure – Changes the frame of reference for looking at an • To help equalize the therapeutic relationship and provide individual's behavior modeling for the client • Shifting from an intrapersonal to an interpersonal • Values, beliefs about society, and therapeutic definition of a client’s problem interventions discussed – Allows the client to make an informed choice
3 Intervention Techniques in Third-Wave Feminist Approaches Feminist Therapy Postmodern feminists provide a model for critiquing both traditional and feminist Relabeling approaches – Changes the label or evaluation applied to Women of color feminists assert that it is the client's behavioral characteristics essential that feminist theory be broadened – Generally, the focus is shifted from a and be made more inclusive negative to a positive evaluation Lesbian feminists call for inclusion of an analysis of multiple identities and their relationship to oppression Global/international feminists take a world- wide perspective in examining women’s experiences across national boundaries
Limitations Contributions Price may be high for clients whose cultural worldview is violated by feminist principles Feminist therapy recognizes role of Persuading client to work towards more oppressive environmental forces on egalitarian relationships in therapy may individuals violate cultural norms Feminist perspective of understanding use of Therapist job is not to take away any pain in power in relationships has applications for struggle not to choose for client, but to be understanding inequalities due to racial & present in such a way that client will truly be cultural factors as well empowered Both feminist & multicultural therapists work Core values of equality & individuality in to encourage change & not adjustment to feminist therapy limit effectiveness of status quo therapists in working with clients from culturally different backgrounds
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