W#8 PP peer replies.
MR25
feministtherapypowerpoint.pptx
FEMINIST THERAPY
BY: CARLA B, MARGO B, MICHELLE L, SHANNON S
FEMINIST THEORY DEFINITION
Feminist sociology is a conflict theory and theoretical perspective which observes gender in its relation to power, both at the level of face-to-face interaction and reflexivity within a social structure at large. Focuses include sexual orientation, race, economic status, and nationality.
FEMINIST THERAPY DEFINITION
A set of related therapies arising from what proponents see as a disparity between the origin of most psychological theories and the majority of people seeking counseling being female. It focuses on societal, cultural, and political causes and solutions to issues that are faced in the counseling process.
FOUNDED
Founded by Christine de Pisan
In late 14th- and early 15th-century France, the first feminist philosopher, Christine de Pisan, challenged prevailing attitudes toward women with a bold call for female education.
Feminist theory includes attempts to describe and explain how gender systems work, as well as a consideration of normative or ethical issues, such as whether a society's gender arrangements are fair.
The theory in itself cannot be traced back to anyone.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
The feminist theory model comes in waves. The first wave began in the 1800s.
Feminist Therapy began in the 1960s. This is also known as the second wave.
The key concepts of this theory include viewing problems in a sociopolitical and cultural concept and focusing on the psychological oppression that women and minorities have experienced.
As therapists, we must focus and emphasize on educating our clients about the process.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
History shows that societal gender-role expectations profoundly influence a person’s identity in a pre-conceived manner before they are born.
In 1977, Gilligan stated that the development of women was judged and perceived by society’s male norms.
To focus on key principles of this theory, we must centrally focus on the critical consciousness of how politics and society norms oppress women and influence the culture surrounding them.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FEMINISM
Liberal Feminism.- Form of theory that focuses on women’s ability to maintain their equality through their own actions and choices.
Radical Feminism.- Theory that calls for a radical reordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts, recognizing that women’s experiences are affected by other social divisions such as race, class and sexual orientation.
Marxist and Socialist Feminism- A belief that women’s situations cannot be understood in isolation from its socio-economic context and that any meaningful improvement made in the lives of women requires that this context be changed.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FEMINISM
Cultural Feminism.- A view that there is a biological nature to feminism or a natural essence. This attempts to revalue and redefine attributes that are related or adhered to femaleness. This term is also used to describe theories that distinguish innate differences between men and women.
Eco-Feminism- The branch of feminism that examines the connections between women and nature.
GOALS OF FEMINIST THERAPY
The goals of therapists who focus on feminist theory are focused on helping one to become aware of their own gender-role ideas and views as well as understanding how the sexist and oppressive societal beliefs and practices can influence them personally in negative ways.
Goals focus on striving to develop a personal sense of internal and external power and connectedness.
EXAMPLES OF FEMINST THEORY IN ACTION
COLUMBIA-
Colombia is recovering from over five decades of civil war, which left around 220,000 people dead. Rates of sexual and domestic violence are high. However, Colombian women have insisted on being a part of the peace process. The accords that bought an end to the war include a requirement for women to participate in transitional justice and promote formal rural property rights for women.
https://www.una.org.uk/magazine/2017-2/10-examples-feminism-action
EXAMPLES OF FEMINIST THEORY IN ACTION
IRAN
Women in Iran have faced legal barriers that affect their domestic and professional lives, from restrictions on their ability to travel to exclusion from certain jobs. Speaking out on gender discrimination can lead to imprisonment or severe physical punishment. Despite these hurdles, Iran’s women lead the region in areas including education and financial inclusion, and activists have launched campaigns, such as ‘One Million Signatures’, to call for changes to the law.
https://www.una.org.uk/magazine/2017-2/10-examples-feminism-action
FEMINISM
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT FEMINIST THEORY
https://www.w4.org/en/about/why-did-we-create-w4/
Our passionate team of social entrepreneurs founded W4 in response to the urgent global need to protect girls’ and women’s human rights and to unleash the huge potential benefits—for everyone—of accelerating girls’ and women’s empowerment.
WORLD-WIDE ORGANIZATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FEMINIST THEORY
EMPHASIS ON EMPOWERMENT
Feminist Therapy emphasizes on how people might engage with therapeutic processes on the long road to self-actualization. It is also a call for those who can, to think of this labor as a form of activism. Think the #MeToo movement.
Magnet, S. (2017). Are You My Mother? Understanding feminist therapy with Alison Bechdel. Women & Therapy, 40(1–2), 207–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/02703149.2016.1213607
TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES
Strategies used in Feminist Therapy focus on empowerment, self-disclosure, gender-role intervention and power analysis. Techniques such as assertiveness training and reframing can be done to provide a sense of empowerment.
TECHNIQUES FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS
Utilizing expressive arts interventions within a feminist theoretical orientation may prove impactful and beneficial for adolescent female clients. Support of feminist therapy and support for integrating expressive arts interventions into counseling practice are presented and supported by therapists.
Otting, T. L., & Prosek, E. A. (2016). Integrating feminist therapy and expressive arts with adolescent clients. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 11(1), 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2015.1019167
WHAT ABOUT MEN?
How can men be supportive?
Men can help by understanding their privilege. Men can engage in and support women’s efforts to create an equal society for all.
Men can encourage other men to confront sexist behaviors in themselves and others.
FEMINIST THERAPY
Feminist therapy has had a strong involvement in the therapy world. It has paved the way for previously gender-sensitive practices and has drawn an awareness of the impact of the cultural context and women’s multiple oppressions. Feminist therapy has great emphasis on societal and social change which is needed to create a transformative environment across cultures.
REFERENCES
Corey, G. (2016). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.
Magnet, S. (2017). Are You My Mother? Understanding feminist therapy with Alison Bechdel. Women & Therapy, 40(1–2), 207–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/02703149.2016.1213607
Otting, T. L., & Prosek, E. A. (2016). Integrating feminist therapy and expressive arts with adolescent clients. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 11(1), 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2015.1019167
