Feminist Therapy derived from radical women uniting for change in the 1960s during the Feminist Movement. As Feminist Therapy was coming on the scene, the Civil Rights movement and the Stonewall Rebellion also came forth; all combining to form an atmosphere that triggered change in human rights (Marecek, 2001). This was a period of time when different groups of people were discriminated against and sought out change. Women were not only motivated by this atmosphere of change, but they were also empowered by this movement. Feminists used their own unique ways of protesting for their agenda through lobbying and consciousness-raising. Women argued that they were restrained and isolated from each other because of the traditional roles by which they were forced to abide. Feminist movement activities such as the consciousness-raising groups helped women come together to share their interests and personalities without men having an influence on them. Due to the forming of these feminist activities, women had ways to express their common interest and discuss major factors that had a significant influence on a woman’s development (Isreali & Santor, 2000). Many women were further empowered by these meetings because their voices were being heard and supported by other women with similar viewpoints. Due to the consciousness-raising group meetings, many woman’s crisis centers were formed. Women took it upon themselves to help victims of domestic violence, since this area was otherwise neglected by the mental health field. Battered and abused women have a place to go for help as a result of feminists’ perseverance during a time of disadvantage.

Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical therapy may have had a significant influence on women formulating feminist therapy. In fact, feminist therapy can be said to have derived from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical therapy. Freud ‘s theories clearly put a great deal of emphasis on women  being the weaker sex due to biological factors that could not be changed. Thus, a majority of counseling techniques and theories have been heavily influenced by Freud and integrate aspects of his ideas within their theories. Feminist therapy was formed to remedy the biases against women that were created by society, as well as Freud and earlier theories which were based around negative connotations towards feminine characteristics and roles. Feminist psychologists pointed out how women’s mental health issues were neglected until 1970, and even during the 1970s highly recognized publications did not include any chapters related to therapy with women (Worell & Johnson, 2001). As time passed by, research began to shift due to professional women raising their voices for more knowledge concerning women in therapy. Corey (2008) stated “a profusion of research on gender-bias emerged in the 1970s, which helped further feminist therapy ideas, and formal organizations began to foster the development and defining of feminist therapy” (p.343).

The empowering knowledge that was birthed from consciousness-raising groups, coupled with help from Freud’s psychoanalytical therapy and this new research on gender-bias, enlightened and transformed many women in the field of psychology, and ultimately birthed feminist therapy. Corey (2008) stated “they took the stance that therapy needed to move away from an intrapsychic, psychopathology perspective to a focus on understanding the social, political, and pathological forces in society that damage and constrain girls and woman, as well as males” (p.342).

A decade later, Feminist Therapy became more organized in its focal points of assisting women. Corey (2008) cited “by the 1980s feminist group therapy had changed dramatically, becoming more diverse as it focused increasingly on specific problems and issues such as body image, abusive relationships, eating disorders, incest and other sexual abuse” (p.343). Many of the improvements in feminist group therapy in the 1980s manifested during consciousness raising group meetings and continue to influence other theories and society today.

Birth of Feminist Therapy

1. How do you feel feminist therapy has influenced and/or affected society today?

Feminists wanted to keep the core psychological theories that were effective but omit the theories that had sexiest notions. They tried to explain some of the trials and tribulations that women go through which impede their development given their social roles. Some of the tribulations are easily seen when women seek counseling: feeling hopeless in dealing with their situation, not understanding who they are, and also not having confidence in themselves (Guindon, 1998). Many traditional therapies do not put a significant amount of emphasis on women being empowered while maintaining their feminine attributes of nurturing and submissive nature.

In feminist therapy, gender is the primary focus; therapists must understand and be sensitive to how psychological oppression and socialization influences identity development. Feminist therapy also focuses on women’s empowerment; communication, assertiveness, self-esteem and helping women discover how to break free from some of the traditional roles that they may feel are hindering their growth and development. Feminist therapy also focuses on making gender issues transparent enough that women are both empowered and changed by engaging in actively understanding how certain issues affect their behavior (Mahaney, 2007). The egalitarian relationship between the counselor and the client further gives women the sense of empowerment throughout the counseling process. According to Corey (2008), feminist therapists understand that the client and the therapist are not equally yoked, but when the therapist gives the client a sense of control they are best able to understand their situation. The egalitarian approach helps distribute the power of the client and the therapist equally in order to resolve the conflict for which the client is seeking assistance.

Brown (1994) defines feminist therapy as “the practice of therapy informed by feminist political philosophy and analysis, grounded in multicultural feminist scholarship on the psychology of women and gender, which leads both therapist and client toward strategies and solutions advancing feminist resistance, transformation, and social change in daily personal life, and in relationships with the social, emotional, and political environment” (p. 22).

The main goal of feminist therapy is not just to change the individual’s situation or mindset, but also to form a revolution that changes the way society views gender issues. Feminist therapy strives to prevent psychological distresses and inappropriate behavior in both genders. Also, feminist therapy attempts to remedy the stereotypes derived from the traditional views on gender which can affect one’s identity. Feminist therapy recognizes these issues and tries to reprove the flaws in gender bias that started decades ago.

The counselor and client would then decide if the use of the DSM IV would be utilized in determining a diagnosis together for the client’s psychological distress or personal concerns. The DSM IV, short for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is a psychiatric or psychological manual approved by the American Psychiatric Association that contains complete descriptions of mental health disorders suffered by adults and children. (Please view “links” on side bar of blog for further information on DSM IV).  

Discussion Board Question: 

2. Does direct collaboration with the client in the process of determining a diagnosis do more harm or empowerment? Please provide feedback from a vocational rehabilitation counselor’s point of view.

• “experiences of role conflict;
• coping strategies for surviving oppression;
• and the result of socialization and labeling for deviation from traditional gender roles”.

Role conflict resulting from socialization may be detected by utilizing social and gender analysis to diagnose a client’s pathology. Social and gender role analysis will then aid the client in comparing their own personal beliefs with society’s ideas regarding the client’s role conflict. Once the distress is determined, coping strategies are discussed and developed with the client to assist with the client in overcoming and understanding the oppression conflicted by socialization.

Discussion Board Question:

3. Would feminist therapy diagnosing techniques be useful to your clients? Why or why not?

Discussion Board Question:

4. Are men capable or should they be allowed to facilitate social and gender role analysis as a counselor? If so, what bias or counter-transferences might men create during such interventions or executions?

• “sharing experiences”;
• “incorporate peer supports”;
•  and promote “social action”.

Social activism (Isreali & Santor, 2000) can include the participation of client and counselor in the following possible activities:

• “organized protests”,
• “letter writing campaigns”
• and “speaking for special interest groups.”

 Both consciousness raising and social activism promote empowerment and self healing methods.  Another example of the use of consciousness raising and social activism is allowing clients with a past history of domestic abuse to participate in assisting their community women shelters where they can help other women who have been victimized.

Discussion Board Question:

5. How can we apply consciousness raising and social activism to our clients as vocational rehabilitation counselors?

• “discrimination”;
• “underemployment”;
• “traditional and non-traditional career choices”;
• “challenges of the “Super Woman” (women balancing full-time careers and having children)”;
• “ dual careers”;
• “role conflicts”;
•  and “sexual harassment” (Evans, Kincade, Marbley, & Seem, 2005).

According to Juntunen (1996), vocational counselors must work to “improve the self-efficiency of their female clients” by focusing on the “effects of socialization and providing active encouragement” for their clients to take responsibility for improving their career situations.

Vocational counselors must help their female clients define their personal roles as an individual. Counselors must encourage the women they work with to discover their strengths and to utilize them regardless of what the societal norm may be, in order to obtain suitable employment. Counselors need to promote this growth and allow female clients to explore attributes of them that have not been previously explored.

Discussion Board Questions:

6. How have you as vocational rehabilitation counselors overcome such obstacles of your clients?

7. Have you as a vocational rehabilitation counselor explored your personal beliefs regarding gender roles and suitable employment when providing clients with informed choice?