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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Let's be honest, systems of oppression are to blame here. I love supporting my clients in healing from systemic racism, sexism, fat-phobia, ableism, and queerphobia. You may not have control over these systems, but you do have control over how you show up for yourself in this sometimes fucked up world.

— Dina Bdaiwi, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Irvine, CA

Power dynamics within the therapeutic relationship as well as society at large matter. We cannot ignore the systemic and environmental contexts in which we all live. I respect and honor your expertise on yourself and your world. I am here as a guide to help you heal, not as an expert to "fix." Collaborative and empowering are my most authentic ways to work with others.

— Dr. Desiree Howell, Psychologist in Kingsland, GA
 

Therapists in our practice believe in using a collaborative approach to therapy. While we have knowledge coming from our own education and experiences, you have expertise in your life. We work to create a collaborative environment where you are working on your goals based on what you need and want for yourself.

— Karen Rothstein Pineda, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Oak Park, IL

I love feminist therapy because it is for all genders and all people: It analyzes power structures and their effects upon people. Each person's intersectional identity, along with their unique lived experience, is differently affected by the current politics and systemic structures. This model helps frame issues to show that they are likely externally caused, which can remove the feeling of self-blame. It also uses education, advocacy, and strength-building to encourage self empowerment.

— Kate Mageau, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in Seattle, WA
 

Feminist therapy means that I work with my clients to evaluate their current life situations/stressors and how it relates to not only their personal world view, but also how it related to our cultural and societal expectations. Feminist therapy also focuses on empowering individuals. Giving people the ability to advocate for themselves and understand how they can get more autonomy in their situation.

— Erin Moore, Licensed Professional Counselor in Boise, ID

I work through a holistic, relational, anti-oppressive, and intersectional feminist lens. I am deeply passionate about the healing and liberation of women and femmes. I believe that it is necessary to acknowledge oppression, colonialism, white supremacy, patriarchy, gender violence, and capitalism as directly complicit in our mental distress and dis-ease.

— Briana Driver, Clinical Social Worker in Los Angeles, CA
 

I 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, TX

In my work, I focus on reworking gendered power dynamics with individuals and couples and addressing social inequities that keep partners form being collaborative with one another.

— Alana Ogilvie, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Portland, OR
 

I practice from an intersectional feminist lens, meaning that I take into account how all the parts of your identity (race, sexual orientation, size, faith, roles you occupy, etc.) impact your individual experience of being a woman, including your experiences of oppression. I consider you the expert on you, and me the expert on psychology, and together we partner to combine our expertise in the service of your goals. I seek to empower you to make your own best decisions according to your values.

— Linda Baggett, Psychologist in Manhattan Beach, CA

A feminist approach to therapy enables an egalitarian relationship between therapist and client, where the client is the expert in the room and we collaborate on treatment. My research in graduate school was on a feminist approach to working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse. As a therapist, I sought out a feminist supervisor and strive to learn as much from her as I can.

— Mark Myran, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Irvine, CA
 

I approach various systems and connections we have as an important part of our life experience. I am interested in helping you to make and know your identities and I will share some of mine with you.

— Joseph Kindred, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Menomonie, WI

You are the expert of yourself; I'm here to support you with my training and skills to assist you in uncovering the answers within. I use an intersectional approach and recognize there are many factors and layers to your life, and when we can examine all aspects of our identity we move toward accepting ourselves as we are. I am committed to being an inclusive, anti-racist practitioner and do not shy away from discussing relevant social justice topics as they may arise within therapy.

— Shelby Dwyer, Counselor in Boston, MA
 

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 therapeutic orientation is strengths-based, humanistic, relational, and informed by principles of social justice. I have an undergraduate degree in Women's Studies from UC Santa Cruz, and identify as a feminist.

— Carolyn Moore, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in San Francisco, CA
 

Mental health is a feminist issue! As a feminist therapist, I focus on helping my clients build on their existing strengths, explore intersecting identities, and break out of oppressive expectations and societal pressures that aren't serving them. My work recognizes the impact of the systems we live within, and honors the ways we've learned to cope and survive, while creating space to grow towards the lives we want. My clients are women and nonbinary folks who want to thrive at work and home.

— Maya Borgueta, Psychologist in San Francisco, CA

Feminist Therapy is a holistic, integrative approach to therapy that takes into consideration systemic biases, patriarchal structures, and oppression of women, female-identifying people and people of color in order to help you understand how these factors affect your mental health.

— Sue Shrinkle-Emmons, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Encinitas, CA