Orientation

Theoretical Orientation

Feminist therapy focuses on societal, cultural, and political causes and solutions with respect to identifying, understanding, and addressing issues associated with distress.

Basic Tenets of Feminist Therapy:

Importance of egalitarian relationship between client and therapist;
Importance of empowerment and independence;
Enhancement of strengths, rather than a focus on weaknesses;
Lack of emphasis on pathology and victim-blaming;
Importance of education about sex-role differences;
Acceptance and validation of feelings.

Goals of Therapy:

Equality
Balance between independence and interdependence;
Empowerment
Self-nurturance
Valuing diversity
Therapeutic Strategies
Empowerment
Self-disclosure
Gender-role analysis
Gender-role intervention
Power analysis and power intervention
Bibliotherapy
Assertiveness training
Reframing and relabeling
Group work
Social action