Feminist Theory: Foundations and Applications

1. Feminist Theory: Foundations and Applications Evolved as a response to women’s rejection of traditional psychotherapies which were presented primarily from the standpoint of men and did not fully consider the impact of gender on personal experience.

2. To insist on a constructivist view of knowledge that takes nothing for granted and asks the same question of every idea: Does it make room for both male and female experience or does it make man the measure of woman?” (Goldner, 1988, p. 42) Goldner, V. (1988). Generation and gender: Normative and covert hierarchies. Family Process, 27, p. 17-31.

3. “Gender could no longer be conceptualized as simply a barrier to be transcended, because it was itself a metaphysical category, a central organizing principle of knowledge and culture” (Goldner, 1988, p. 43). Goldner, V. (1988). Generation and gender: Normative and covert hierarchies. Family Process, 27, p. 17-31.

4. 3 Distinct Phases • Early 1970’s until 1980’s – The activism phase: feminists actively explored feminism and the issues faced by women. • The MAINSTREAMING of feminism into other theories: goal was to eliminate androcentric bias. • The ongoing phase: the development of a complete theory with explanations for the common experiences of women who grow up in a societies that do not value their capabilities.

5. Feminist Therapy: “A collected effort by many” • Jean Baker Miller, M.D. • Carolyn Zerbe Enns, Ph.D. • Oliva M. Espin, Ph.D. • Laura S. Brown, Ph.D.

6. Feminist Therapy: History & Development • 1960s: Therapy seen as oppressive relationship • 1970s: Research on gender bias leads to greater development • 1980s: Efforts to define “feminist therapy” • “Second wave” of feminism: liberal, cultural, radical, & socialist feminism • 1990s: Significant steps toward integration • “Third wave” of feminism: Postmodern, women of color, lesbian, global-internationals • Continual evolvement & maturation…

7. Problems with traditional theories • Psychoanalytic • Cognitive-Behavioral • Family Systems Theory

8. Central Tenets • The need to redefine women’s development in a positive way • Considering women in a way that reflects their value and seeks to understand women in their own right, rather than the weaker half of a male/female dichotomy • The need for traditional therapies to reevaluate their approach to the treatment of women in counseling.

9. Key Concepts • View of human nature: Differentiates feminist theory from most others • Gender-fair; flexible-multicultural; interactionist; & life-span perspective • Personality development: Influence of societal gender-role expectations • Girls vs. Boys

10. Key Players (in addition to those in text) • Carol Gilligan (author of In a Different Voice –1982)- primary research is the development of girls and adolescents as they begin to adopt more stereotypical gender roles; the notion of the “authentic self”. • Mary Pipher - author of Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. • Mary Gergen – has added the study of women at midlife; studies the development of women after their childbearing years.

11. Pipher identified three things that affect the self-esteem of adolescent girls: • Lookism: The emphasis on “looks” often leads to problems with body image such as anorexia, bulimia, etc. • Capitalism: The pressure put upon adolescent girls to adopt the “junk values” of our culture (e.g., using drugs to appear sophisticated, articles in teen magazines, etc.) • Sexuality: The difficulty adolescent girls face in the development of their sexuality.

12. Establishment of an egalitarian relationship Acknowledgement that only the unique experiences of women can provide the foundation of knowledge for thinking about women The belief that women’s psychological development is pluralistic Promotion of independence and assertiveness in women Focusing on women’s strengths, not flaws Careful use of self-disclosure in the therapeutic relationship The belief that “the personal is political Major Constructs

13. Principles of Feminist Theory • The personal is political • Personal & social identities are interdependent • Definitions of distress & “mental illness” are reformulated • Feminist therapists use an integrated analysis of oppression • The counseling relationship is egalitarian • Women’s perspectives are valued

14. Goals of Counseling • Ultimate goal: “To create the kind of society where sexism & other forms of discrimination & oppression are no longer a reality • Recognize, claim, & embrace personal power… empowerment • A “consciously political enterprise”

15. Counselors Believe… • Gender is at the core of therapeutic practice • Understanding a client’s problems requires adopting a socio-cultural perspective • Empowerment of the individual is key • Societal changes are necessary

16. The Process of Change • Removing barriers to optimal functioning through changing self-perception; • Identification and resolution of personal problems with support of other women; • Facilitating self-actualization though resocialization; • Support and encouragement for participation in action to change the societal causes of women’s distress.

17. Intervention Strategies: • Gender-role analysis and intervention • To help clients understand impact of gender-role expectations in their lives • Provides clients with an opportunity to gain insight into ways social issues affect their problems • Power analysis and Power Intervention • Emphasis on the power differences between men and women in society • Clients helped to recognize different kinds of power they possess and how they and others exercise power

18. -Homework assignments -Behavioral interventions(e.g., confronting avoidance behaviors) -Identifying family messages about body image “disidentification” -Self Disclosure helps equalize relationship -Reframing -Re-labeling -Narrative Therapy -Assertiveness training (used specifically in treatment of women with depression) -Feminist Therapy with Men: changing attitudes -Also, effective with African American women and in work with battered women Intervention Strategies:

19. Therapist’s Function & Role • Feminist therapy consists of a set of philosophical assumptions that can be applied to various theoretical orientations • Therapist’s role & functions will thus vary depending on what theory is combined with feminist principles & concepts • Similarities & Differences between feminist therapy & other therapies

20. Client’s Experience • Clients are active participants • Therapist places responsibility on client, relates to client as a person • Client begins to realize they are really understood, begin to get in touch with a range of feelings • Female therapist may share some of her own struggles with gender-role oppression • Feminist therapists do not see only women clients • Shared journey of empowerment

21. Therapist-Client Relationship • Therapeutic relationship is based on empowerment & egalitarianism • Feminist therapists work to equalize the power base in the relationship by using several strategies • A defining theme of relationship: The inclusion of clients in both the assessment & the treatment process

22. Many of the techniques used in feminist theory rely on examining… societal expectations, messages conveyed by the media, and reality. And help clients: -increase awareness of rights -feel empowered -strive to make personal and social changes. Corey, G. (2005). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (7th Ed.) Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

23. MULTICULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS strengths • Examines social structures leading to oppression, discrimination, racism. • Techniques can be tailored to different cultures. • Social change v. individual change. • Emphasis on integrating identity. Corey, G. (2005). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (7th Ed.) Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

24. MULTICULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS limitations • Therapist needs to consider cultural differences in roles of women (e.g., patriarchal societies). • Balancing goals and existing cultural values. • Therapist should emphasize a woman’s CHOICE to change. Corey, G. (2005). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (7th Ed.) Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

25. STRENGTHS OF FEMINIST THERAPY • Increases awareness of environmental factors, oppressions faced by women, messages society sends, and power divisions in relationships. • Change in therapists’ code of ethics. • Techniques are applicable to other therapies. • Active role of client. Corey, G. (2005). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (7th Ed.) Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

26. LIMITATIONS OF FEMINIST THERAPY • Therapist imposing values on client. • Finding a balance between challenging the client and respecting his/her informed value systems. • Therapy requires sensitivity. • Deemphasizes personal responsibility of client. • Theory is still developing… Corey, G. (2005). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (7th Ed.) Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

27. Limitations, cont. • Lack of access to adequate training programs that focus specifically on feminist therapy • Difficulty finding “trained” specialists to provide supervision to persons who want to practice feminist therapy • Hostility toward feminism in general; tied with negative perceptions of the “Women’s Lib” movement of the 60’s-70’s

28. Research in Feminist Therapy • Research is evolving as this is a relatively new “theory” • Lack of research support is a limitation. • Often occurs within diversity research • Difficult to “separate” feminist theory since it incorporates techniques form other therapies

29. Contributions • Has paved the way for gender-sensitive practice in counseling • Committed to applying gender-fair principles in counseling (in terms of language, socialization, awareness of gender role bias, etc.) • Has helped men and women become aware of gender role stereotypes in marriages and families • Principles can be incorporated into most of the other therapy models