Feminist Therapy : Feminist Therapy

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, feminism is defined as the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Feminism is a major part of the short story, “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, which is a story that portrays women’s lack of freedom in the1800s. Women had no rights, and had to cater to all of their husband’s needs. The main character in “The Story of an Hour” is a woman who suffers from heart trouble, named Mrs. Mallard. When Mrs. Mallard was told about her husband’s death, she was initially emotional, but because of her husband’s death she reaped freedom and became swept away with joy. The story is ironic because Mrs. Mallard learns her husband was not dead, and instead of exulting

Narrative therapy acknowledges that an individual 's narrative is shaped by power/knowledge, social norms, gender, family, socioeconomic status, religion, values, etc. (Buckman et al., 2008). While, narrative therapy examines the social construction of individual narratives and the impact of larger meta-narratives, there is still room to explore gender further. Lee (1997) explains that narrative therapy does not trace gendering in any specific way. She proposes a revised feminist narrative approach that, "...pays attention to gendered meta-narratives and specifically analyzes the social construction and interpersonal co-constructions of

Ballou (1996) in Ivey (2002) comments on other concepts of feminist therapy. An understanding of pluralism is one. That is, the value of difference. Although focused

With the revival of the feminist movement in the 1960 's many women started to renounce traditional theories of psychotherapy, arguing that these theories were sexist, oppressive, and ultimately detrimental to the psychological and emotional well-being of women. Feminist advocates highlighted the limiting nature of socialized gender roles and the damaging effects of the various levels of oppression experienced by women. In response to the recognition of these perceived injustices, feminist support groups formed and eventually a feminist approach to therapy was collaboratively developed. Feminist therapists practice with an awareness of how gender socialization and systemic

The last two approaches we have covered in class offer some distinct views compared to the other conventional methods we have covered. The approaches that will be discussed in this paper include feminist and postmodern therapies. These two approaches give us insight on a feminist perspective and their struggle for equality, while the other focuses on client exceptions and not dwelling on the past. I felt that postmodern therapies are a real way to give the client not only hope but confidence, by allowing them to see how “ instances of success” or “exceptions” allow them to overcome problems they are having.

Armed with this new awareness, the therapeutic process from a feminist perspective was reconceptualized to include an emphasis on social and political forces and an acknowledgement of their role in disempowerment for women (Brown, 2010). Additionally, the seed of creating a more respectful and humanistic approach to the counselling relationship was planted. Raising the consciousness of clients around power and focusing on societal transformation rather than individual adjustment became the identify of feminist therapy and to what Lerner (1993) referred to as the ‘feminist consciousness’. This perspective afforded practitioners a new way to view “problems” presented in therapy.

The feminist movement of the 1960’s focused solely on the improvement and well- being of women. The idea of Feminism is a critical theory as it is an analytical examination of social conditions and what tools could be utilized to proactively improve these conditions. Overcoming the consistent barriers women had to endure during this era remains prevalent and continues to have psychological effects. In order to strengthen one’s mindset regarding feminism, we must first refer back and understand the intellectual history of the women’s movement and examine areas of how counseling can assist with overcoming these impediments. The Feminist philosophy is the philosophical dimension of intellectual feminism. Many philosophers understand their intellectual history and the history of the women's movement in terms of three "waves."

The goal of Feminist Therapists is to make their clients feel empowered and help them in the daily aspects of life. These aspects that pertain to society’s attitude about them and their place in society. Goals are to define ways that non-Caucasian women are being oppressed and for the client to be familiar with these norms. This will better help her gain power within her everyday life and create confidence in her at work or school. When the client is aware of racism in the world they live in it is easier to make a transformation in the environment they are in. Hence the goal of FT is to bring awareness to feminism and to educate the client on feministic issues within the society. The counselor will give Ana goals and be very supportive of her

Feminism is most often thought of as a method used for educating society on the rights of women. It teaches that men and women are equal in every way both civil and societal. Charlotte Bunch, realizing that this is not always the case, also defined feminism as "a way of looking at the world a questioning of power and domination issues". A great deal of feminists attempt to ignore the ideas of a stereotypical women and move them away from people who don’t. They fight to find, study, and do away with biases in a world filled with ignorant men who see women only as objects and not equals. There are however, women who announce their immense intellect, wealth, and vibrant and free personalities to those who oppress them. A woman

Unlike many theories, Feminist theory was not founded by one, single individual. Rather, the development of feminist theory was a collaborate effort made by many. Carolyn Zerbe Enns, Laura S. Brown, Jean Baker Miller and Olivia M. Espin can be considered pioneers of feminist theory. Jean Baker Miller was a clinical professor of psychiatry at Boston University. Dr. Miller wrote and co-authored books pertinent to Feminist theory. Additionally, by collaborating with a variety of scholars and colleagues, she helped contribute to the development of relational-cultural theory (Corey, 2013).

Feminist theory aims to understand the nature of gender inequality and focuses on gender politics, power relations and sexuality. Feminist political activism campaigns on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, sexual harassment, discrimination and sexual violence. Themes explored in feminism include discrimination, stereotyping, objectification, sexual objectification, oppression and

According to Hooks (2000) as cited in Considine and Dukelow (2009:141) “Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression”. It is necessary to explain the different types of feminism that are present in society first. Freedman

Intro: This essay will thoroughly explore feminist counselling and take into consideration the theoretical ideas and practice skills that will include the following issues The key figures (founders) and major focus, philosophy and basic assumptions, key concepts, therapeutic goals, techniques and procedures, applications, contributions, and the limitations and criticisms of feminist counselling. To develop a better understanding of the feminist counselling approach, the next few paragraphs will look at the forms feminist counselling uses to address these issues and inequities within individuals that have been affected.

Feminist perspective developed with the ideology that women face large amounts of inequalities in a patriarchal society. They aimed to address and rid the social world of this oppression of women by men. According to Bishop, (2015) “oppression occurs when one group of people use different forms of power to keep another group down in order to exploit them. The oppressor uses the power; the oppressed are exploited” (p. 133-134). Oppression must be by individual experience and not grouped into being the same for all. This includes understanding the original ideology of feminist theory being critiqued as only considering the experiences of middle class, white women. That black women, of lower class experienced oppression much different from the other women. Women are oppressed, thus has to be understood in a different construct that women are similar in some sources, experience of oppression but also experience oppression very differently from one individual to another. Feminist theories have further been expanded do its continuation throughout society and decades to encompass many more issues and arenas than just men and women relationships. Now it seeks to understand and address oppression based on culture, race, class, etc and not only for women but for all. Therefore, Bishop (2014) outlines five components that seem common to all forms of oppression and serve to maintain its presence in society.

Feminism is the movement that promotes equality for men and women in political, economic and social issues. Feminists believe that women are oppressed due to their sex based on the dominant ideology of patriarchy. Going against social norms of patriarchy will result in liberation for women, men, minorities, and gays. There are many different types of Feminism, which includes Liberal, Radical, and Social Feminism. Liberal feminism is reformist who believes in the viability of the present system, which includes education and employment. These types of feminists believe that oppression exists because of the way in which men and women are socialized, which supports patriarchy and keeps men in power