Theoretical Analysis
Question one
Feminist therapy theory derives from the efforts of radical women uniting for change in the 1960 during the wave of Feminist Movement. The civil rights movement and Stonewall Rebellion at the time triggered change in human rights. The women were inspired by the wave of change and feminist movement. Feminists used distinct methods of rallying for their agenda through consciousness-raising. They argued that the traditional roles enforced on them isolated them from each other. The forming of these feminist activities created a way for women to convey their collective interests and analyze crucial issues that had remarkable impact on women’s progress (Corey 2017). Additionally, the participants were empowered by the meetings since their opinions were heard and encouraged by women with same ideals and consequently emergency centers were created. Women took up the responsibility to assist victims of abuse since mental health care specialists mostly neglected the area. Victims had a place to go for help due to feminists’ perseverance at a time of crisis.
Women’s mental health was a neglected issue until the 1970s, and even highly acclaimed publications did not include chapters on therapy with women (Corey 2017). Feminist therapists believed therapy to be a partnership between equals; it built integration and cooperation into the therapeutic process (Corey 2017). Feminist therapists were of the opinion that therapy needed to shift away from an intrapsychic view on psychopathology to an emphasis on understanding the cultural, political, and social forces that deter women as well as men and boys (Kahn 2011 pg.60). By the 1980s, feminist therapy had evolved drastically to become more diverse as it emphasized on particular problems such as sexual abuse, eating disorders, body image abusive relationships and incest. Feminist therapists believe that addressing gender role stereotypes is core to therapeutic practices and confronting a patient’s problems demands embracing a sociocultural view (Corey 2017).
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Feminist therapies examined the correlation of feminist theories to traditional psychotherapy practices and merging with past systems was proposed. The feminist theory evolved through various unique phases: modern, radical and liberal. Early feminist theories utilized a radical form of counseling and psychotherapy utilizing methods intended to help women view patriarchal society was the cause to many problems and change would only be possible if they were empowered to feel and act equal with equal voice. Feminist therapies communicated the goals of feminism such as suggesting clients get involved in social action, promoted financial freedoms, and viewed women’s problems as influenced by external factors. On the other hand, liberal feminist therapists emphasized on counseling as a procedure of acquiring self-understanding and saw the need of flexibility in helping the client solve issues. Modern feminist therapists approach integrates women’s psychology, research on women’s development, multicultural awareness and activism into logical therapeutic and theoretical packages.
Feminist therapists perspective on human nature is unique from others since other therapies came from the historical era where social arrangements were based in an individual’s biologically based gender (Corey, 2017). Men have always been thought to be norm until recently, and men and women would always choose different paths in life. Men and women act differently, and therefore their actions and reactions tend to be different. Gender-sensitivity, flexible-multiculturalism, interactionism and life span orientation is an important characteristic of feminist therapy (Corey, 2017).
There are key concepts that form the foundation for feminist therapy practice. The personal is political and critical consciousness. This concept forms its basis on the assumption that individual problems brought to counseling are rooted in political and social contexts. For individuals of the female gender, this is often a context of subordination, marginalization, stereotyping and oppression. The fact that feminist therapy acknowledges the impact of social and political issues on an individual’s life is conceivably the most basic principal at the center of feminist therapy. Feminist therapy is committed to social change; therapists not only aim for not only for individual but social change. Social action for change is considered as one of the responsibilities of therapists. The principle of counseling which derives away from the conventional practices on change from individual perspectives out to the realms of social change sets apart feminist therapy from other approaches (Corey, 2017). Women’s and girl’s voices and ways of knowing in addition to the voice of others who have encountered oppression are valued and experiences respected. Traditional therapists believe in heterosexist, and androcentric norms fixated in White middle-class heterosexual ideals and described women and other segregated individuals as nonconformists. The relationship between the counselor and client is egalitarian. Awareness to power is core in feminist therapy; the egalitarian relationship symbolized by authenticity, respect and mutuality is at the center of feminist therapy.
Open discussions of power in the therapeutic relationship enables clients know how power dynamics affect counseling and relationships (Corey, 2017). Feminist therapy focuses on strengths and a revised description of psychological distress. According to Corey (2017), “psychological distress is reframed, not as disease but as a communication about unjust systems.” The final concept at the core of feminist therapy is the fact that all types of oppression are recognized with the connections associated with them. Feminist therapists assist clients make amends in their lives but are devoted to working towards social change that will emancipate all members of communities from oppression, stereotyping and marginalization. The role of therapists in the feminist therapy is believing in a therapeutic backdrop free of biased assumptions about women and other marginalized groups. Most feminist therapists have shared assumptions about therapy, but due to their diverse backgrounds, their techniques, applications and how clients are conceptualized is affected. Feminist therapists have incorporated feminism and social justice views into their approach to therapy and personal lives. The practitioners are devoted to observe their biases and particularly the social and cultural dimensions of women’s encounters. Unlike individual-centered therapists, feminist therapy practitioners do not view the therapeutic relationship singly as being enough to produce reforms.
Question two
I view the therapeutic process as a therapist/ client relationship journey based on mutual trust and respect. The therapeutic process should assist its client understand their challenges and help change their lives. Feminist therapy aims to help its clients understand the root of their challenges; one of the key concepts at the core of feminist therapy is personal problems brought to therapy originate from a political or social context. Feminist therapy not only changes the client’s life but also aims for societal change; I believe that therapy should not only affect a client’s life but also bring about changes in the society. For instance, feminist therapies counsel victims of sexual abuse and participate in changing and informing the society on the rape culture. I believe that therapy should not only help the client solve their issues but empower them too; feminist therapy empowers its client to discover and assert their distinct identities and boost individual strengths to improve their lives.
Question three
Marcus-Mendoza (2011) documents the breakthrough of feminist therapy with incarcerated women. She outlines the plan of action for feminist therapists involved in the transforming venture in prisons. Although feminist principles are employed to programming for incarcerated women, the details are yet to be made into correctional systems (Marcus-Mendoza 2011). Feminist therapy has a distinct history in psychotherapy and counseling; the distinct history has effects the development has had an impact on the evolution of the technique which incorporates combining methods and ideologies from different therapeutic frameworks while still maintaining its key concepts (Kahn 2011). Feminist therapy was initially intended for women, but due to its multiculturalism, it is also a useful initiative for male patients (Kahn 2011 pg.59). The conventional masculine perspective presumed to be appropriate for men is arguably less effective since it fails to address the different experiences men bring to therapy but rather support common prescriptive wishes of patriarchal culture (Kahn 2011 pg.59).
Question four
Feminist therapy is appropriate for all populations; current study on the effectiveness on the technique conducted reveals that men highly profit from feminist therapy when therapists reject essentializing male clients (Kahn 2011 pg.59). It helps male clients comprehend the effects of standardizing masculine conformity and recognize diversity in men’s gender identity. Feminist therapy is suitable for marginalized communities such as gender non-conformers, lesbians and gay communities (Bruns 2010 pg. 19). Feminist therapy empowers its clients to foster a world of equality mirrored in interpersonal, individual and national levels. Although making oppression evident is the first step, replacing discrimination with empowerment for marginalized groups is the ultimate goal (Corey 2017).
Theoretical Application
Question one
Empowerment is at the core of feminist therapy; practitioners practice in an egalitarian way and use emancipation approaches suitable for each client. Rona will benefit from the therapy session if she clarifies expectations and identify goals she will work towards in the therapeutic process. The first goal is becoming aware of gender-role socialization process (Corey 2017). The therapist could enable Rona identify the impact her gender-role socialization has shaped her values, behaviors, and thoughts. For instance, Rona identifies as a female- a marginalized identity within a dominant culture. Gender-role analysis starts with a client realizing how societal messages they receive about how a woman should act; also, they identify how these messages integrate with other aspects of identity. It seems that Rona has received messages from the society about what is expected of a woman; failure to fulfill these expectations may be the cause of the overwhelming feelings Rona experiences. Gender-role analysis fulfills the main goal of empowering the client; empowerment is a major goal of feminist theory. Social action is at the core of feminist therapy, as clients advance they may join a support group. Rona may join an anger management support group; women who join these groups realize that they are not alone and gain validation for their experience.
Question two
Gender-role intervention technique enables the therapist to respond to Rona’s concern by reflecting it in the context of societal expectations for women. The technique aims to provide Rona with awareness into the manner in which social issues affect her thoughts and in this case, expectations the society places on women. Women are expected to excel at the work place and still fulfill their duties at home; the quest to fulfill such responsibilities may be overwhelming for Rona. She might be in low spirits since she feels like she is failing in some areas of her life. Assertive training could be a beneficial technique for Rona, promoting assertive behavior makes women mindful of their interpersonal rights, transcend gender roles and implement changes in their life. Rona may benefit from being more assertive in her life hence eliminating the feelings of despondence. The therapist may learn how sexism has contributed to keeping women passive; for instance, how an assertive woman is considered as aggressive but a man considered assertive. Reframing is a technique unique to feminist therapy; it includes a shift from rooting the issue internally to considering the social and political issues contributing to Rona’s problems. Rather than focusing on intrapsychic issues, the therapist could examine the social stereotypes causing the social pressures Rona feels (Barrett 2014 pg. 55).
Question 3
It is important that a feminist therapist fully understands the cultures and ideals of their clients from diverse groups since they might run a risk of imposing their values. Although Rona feels confident that the therapist understands, her it is important that she remains on the lookout for evidences of breaches in rapport and address them as soon as they occur. It is important that the therapist work with Rona to find her path that lead to her goals without devaluing her collectivistic cultural values. The therapist should not make decisions for her client but empower her to make important decisions. The feminist therapist should make the client aware that the cost of defying cultural expectations might be high. The therapist should understand how their cultural perspectives are likely to affect their interventions with culturally diverse clients. The therapist already made a conscious choice to present her values to the client at the beginning of the sessions so she can make a conscious decision before proceeding.
Question 4
The main strength of feminist therapy theory is the fact that it encourages empowerment; the therapeutic process is useful in helping Rona gain confidence and hope tearing away from oppressive cultural fabric an sees her situation in a new light. Feminist theory focuses on external social and political factors associated with individual problems. Using the techniques of feminist theory on Rona reduces the issue of self-blame. Since feminist therapy does not deal with pathology, it might not be effective to treat mental disorders such as depression. Rona might be suffering from depression since she reports feeling sad, overwhelmed and despondent.
References
Barrett, S. E. (2014). Paths toward diversity: An intrapsychic perspective. In Diversity and complexity in feminist therapy (pp. 55-66): Routledge.
Bruns, C. M. (2010). Feminism and feminist therapy across generations: Women & Therapy , 34 (1-2), 19-37.
Corey, G. (2017). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (10 th edition): Belmomt, CA
Jack S. Kahn (2011) Feminist Therapy for Men: Challenging Assumptions and Moving Forward, Women & Therapy, 34:1-2, 59-76, DOI: 10.1080/02703149.2011.532458
Susan Marcus-Mendoza (2011) Feminist Therapy with Incarcerated Women: Practicing Subversion in Prison,Women & Therapy, 34:1-2, 77-92, DOI: 10.1080/02703149.2011.532692
