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.
Feminist therapy takes into account the ways in which the cultural systems and structures we live under influence our mental health. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions can be caused not just by individual differences in brain chemistry but also by the material conditions we find ourselves living within.
— Megan Moss, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in Columbus, INI identify as a feminist who views all of my work through a justice-oriented framework, particularly working with women and non-binary individuals. What does this actually look like? I focus on the many societal, cultural, and political causes of issues faced in therapy that feel particularly relevant and pertinent to women and non-binary folks, especially considering most of the therapeutic frameworks we use today were researched and put to use with mostly white men.
— Sarah Nehdi, Licensed Mental Health CounselorI passionately bring awareness to social structures and dominant narratives within our work. This includes acknowledging the client-therapist power imbalance and actively working to place you, the client, as the expert of your lived experience. This can manifest as rich description around cultural dimensions, active discussion of internal biases, or my own self-disclosure as appropriate. I take a feminist, anti-oppression, anti-racism lens to all sessions.
— Peter Beer, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Chicago, ILAs an intersectional femininist, I hold space for the lived experiences of women, femme, & AFAB persons regardless of gender identity, as well as men who benefit from feminism. I understand that gender identity/ expression is deeply personal and unique, yet society's expectations of gender role/responsibilities can be narrow & rigid. I recognize the invisible labor of women in the family, the struggle of motherhood and its unrealistic expectations, and the impacts of toxic masculinity.
— Aiden Nicholson, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Chicago, ILIn my time as a counselor I have become only more convinced that the root of many- maybe most- of people's presenting concerns in therapy are the result of systems of oppression. I believe that white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism and colonialism are inextricably linked to stress, trauma, anxiety and depression. I believe that one's environment (society, culture, systems big and small, etc) plays a huge role in a person's mental health.
— Shea Stevens, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in McKinney, TXMy practice and approach are deeply rooted in Feminist Therapy theory. I believe that transparency, shared power, awareness of oppression, and intersectionality are non-negotiables.
— Lauren Grousd, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Portland, MEI highly prioritize the equal value of all people, which means no one is more important or more valuable than anyone else. However, when experience has influenced your sense of self, you may struggle to life out that sense of worth. Therapy with me intentionally makes space to evaluate how you see yourself vs how you want to, so we can navigate a path forward together.
— Larissa Smith, Licensed Clinical Social WorkerFeminist 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 FellowIdentifying as female in our culture comes with so many landmines. Navigating relationships, work/life balance, parenting, misogyny, and so on. If you've clicked on this specialty, you know. I like to work from an feminist perspective to see how gender underlies other stressors. Feminism is intersectional, and if you identify as female (or on the feminine side of the spectrum) this space is for you.
— Jennie Hagen, Licensed Professional Counselor in Vancouver, WAI am able to discuss and process systems of oppression that we all live in and how to change the systems. I will not discount your lived experience and will provide a safe space for you to tell your story.
— Caley Johnson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Bellingham, WAI work from a feminist and social justice framework to hold clients up as the expert in their own experience and to acknowledge the relevance of social, environmental, and generational context.
— Beth Berta, Counselor in Chicago, ILFeminism is going through growth spurts. As the therapist and nutritionist to women and femmes, I am constantly reading and educating myself on how to best, and most respectfully honor the multitude of identities that each person inevitably carries as well as attend trainings than emphasize social justice and activism. Anne Balay is credited as saying, “If your feminism isn’t intersectional, then it isn’t feminism.” Our work together will help you liberate not only your body, also your mind.
— Emma Doerner, Counselor in Seattle, WAI believe societal pressures and constructs impact every individual, and therefore, every relationship. Feminist therapy and feminist family therapy acknowledge how societal expectations, gender constructs, and personal biases can influence an individual's ability to connect with others and prescribe how they do so. As a feminist therapist, I can help you understand and examine how expectations from those around us influence our sense of self and how we show up in our relationships and lives.
— Shelly Hogan, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Austin, TXI received my training in feminist studies from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.
— Sam Naimi, Psychoanalyst in Encino, CAMy approach is built on a foundation of feminist, anti-oppression values. I believe therapy is ineffective if the greater social context a person lives in is not examined critically; most of the time, doing so is empowering for all genders.
— Laurel Roberts-Meese, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in SAN FRANCISCO, CAI 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, CAOur 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 WorkerMy 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, NYI'm a therapist committed to creating a nurturing, empowering space based on feminist values. I challenge power imbalances, champion equality, and empower individuals of all genders. In our journey, your voice is valued, your experiences are affirmed, and your unique perspective is celebrated. Together, we navigate identity, social justice, and personal growth, working towards your goals and a more equitable world.
— Yiran Sun, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in new york, NY