Feminist Therapy

Feminist therapy is a therapeutic approach grounded in feminist theory and philosophy. Central to this approach is the idea that women may experience mental health issues as a result of psychological oppression. In feminist therapy, the therapist and client are equals – the therapist's knowledge of psychology and the client's knowledge of herself come together to embrace the client's strengths. Feminist therapists seek to recognize and understand the client's socioeconomic and political situation, and are typically personally invested in ending oppression, empowering women and girls, and working toward social change. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s feminist therapy specialists today.

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The problems that my clients face do not happen within a vacuum. Each one of my clients holds various identities -- race, gender, sexual orientation, religious, physical ability -- that contextualize and give shape to the experiences that they are having in the world. An intersectional, feminist approach to therapy takes into account the overlapping effects of each one of the identities that you hold as you move about the world.

— Amie Roe, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York, NY

What forms of gender expression feel safest, most comfortable, or fun for you? Which forms feel unsafe or unavailable to you? Gender-based expectations and norms impact people of all genders, and may be holding you back from being yourself and feeling empowered. We will explore the ways that your gender impacts your life, including your values and any limiting beliefs that you may be internalizing from your upbringing, environment, or culture about yourself or others.

— Maryann Bavisotto, Social Worker in Buffalo, NY
 

Examining and embracing our full identities is the most therapeutic practice I've experienced both as a client and as a therapist. So many people have been made to feel invisible, unseen, or merely "tolerated" rather than being fully seen, fully loved, and fully celebrated. All facets of our complex identities, including the parts that have experienced privilege, can teach us something about our path through the world including the past, present, and future.

— Jamie Eastman, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

My experience in utilizing feminist theory involves a deep commitment to creating an empowering, inclusive, and affirming therapeutic space where clients can explore and address the impact of societal dynamics on their lives. I am dedicated to helping clients navigate these complexities, find their voices, and work towards personal and collective empowerment.

— Jada Maldonado, Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY
 

Feminist therapy for me functions as the lens in which I understand client's presenting concerns and then use various interventions from other orientations for treatment. Basically this means that one of the goals in every session with me is to empower the client in front of me and help them find their internal power.

— Mariah Beltran, Post-Doctoral Fellow

My approach with feminist theory is primarily focused on understanding how the client's identities influence their experience in the world as well as within the therapeutic space.

— Shayne Snyder, Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY
 

Modern feminist therapy is not just for women. It seeks to address the concerns of all who have been impacted by systems of oppression (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color, LGBQTIA+, those who are Neurodivergent, Disabled individuals, etc). In order to understand & help those who have been marginalized we must understand those systems & work to dismantle them. I recognize that as a white person who presents as a cisgender heteronormative female, I have unearned privilege.

— Jennifer Dolphin, Licensed Professional Counselor in Anchorage, AK

I am a big supporter of women, and I firmly believe in the power of helping them connect with themselves and their voices and making themselves heard. I am trained in women's issues and feminist psychotherapy, and am passionate about walking with women through the journey of dismantling patriarchy and questioning beliefs that continue to make us feel we need to conform with the status quo and stay quiet.

— Nancy Juscamaita, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in ,
 

As a systems therapist, I believe that patriarchy, racism and capitalism have impacted the overall development and accessibility of healing services. I believe there is value in deconstructing the ways we have been impacted by those systems and how we can break down the barriers they create in our lives. I will help you lean into your own self-identity and free you from the pain that oppressive systems have caused you.

— Ashley MacLaren, Counselor in Seattle, WA

I identify strongly as a feminist therapist, and I believe that gender roles influence socialization; ultimately, our lives. I have an undergraduate degree in Women Studies and believe that gender identity development may impact a variety of issues that female-identified clients experience, like interpersonal relationships, career, aging, sexuality.

— Shelley Samuels, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Oakland, CA
 

As a practitioner, I have been trained in and have written about Feminist Therapy. Specifically, my practice is rooted in trans-inclusive feminism, which also acknowledges the cultural and societal forces that marginalize the experiences of women, transgender/nonbinary people, LGB and Queer people, People of Color/BIPOC, and other groups. Feminist Therapy acknowledges that marginalized people cannot live absent of politics, because their lived experiences have been politicized or criminalized.

— Karalyn Violeta, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Brooklyn, NY

I aim to provide clients with a safe and non-judgmental space to explore our identities, interpersonal relationships, hardships, and experiences in this life. I am hella good at creating space to deep dive into the ways you have been shaped by systems of oppression and cultural experiences. Together, we can unlearn damaging and false narratives and heal the pain they have caused you.

— Jackie Jacobo, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor in San Diego, CA
 

I was trained the tradition of the Stone Center at Wellesley in what was then called Feminist Therapy, but is now called "Relational Cultural Therapy". This is a strengths based approach that honors not only the specific needs of women but also takes into account the ethnic and cultural backgrounds that shape our worldview. Healing happens in relationships with others, and therapy is a way to practice this.

— Jessica Foley, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Waltham, MA

My foundational treatment orientations center understanding a person within their unique context. In feminist therapy, we look at how your personal experience is shaped by your political context and systemic inequities you face. Prioritizing an intersectional feminist approach, I want to understand how your specific identity markers (e.g., ethnic, gender, SES, disability, religion, etc) shape your context, how you uniquely experience the world, and how the world uniquely experiences/treats you.

— Lindsay Elizondo, Clinical Psychologist in San Diego, CA
 

Feminist therapy approaches can be applied when working with any marginalized identity. I enjoy focussing on how systems impact your wellbeing and helping to empower you to step into your power. Harmful systems can create external and internal stories that are overwhelming, difficult, and feel impossible for one person to change...AND you can learn to take what control you do have and use it to make change in your life and encourage others to do the same.

— Kim Lycan, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Richland, WA

Our society was founded by and built for Straight, White, Christian, Men. Our society is slowly evolving to be more inclusive of women, POC, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized populations. Empowering women involves deconstructing the toxic patriarchal culture that oppresses those that threaten the beneficiaries. Sessions are structured to identify personal strengths and build assertiveness by confronting social norms and gender roles.

— Courtney Garner, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
 

I approach my work from a social justice lens, always considering the importance of intersectional oppression in psychological distress.

— Augustin Kendall, Counselor in Minneapolis, MN

In my philosophical counseling practice, I rely heavily on feminist wisdom about the problematic social expectations and gendered "scripts" placed upon women that reduce our personhood, freedom, and ability to pursue our own authentic lives. Together with my clients, I work to dismantle the assumption that these cultural scripts are somehow "the way of nature," shed light on the inequities that they create, and free up our thinking for new self-perceptions and aspirations.

— Monica Vilhauer, Counselor in Portland, OR