Feminist Theory

Principles -- The personal is political - Personal & social identities are interdependent - Commitment to social change - Counseling relationship is egalitarian - Women & girls experiences and ways of knowing are honored - Definitions of distress & "mental illness" are reformulated - There is an integrated analysis of oppression Key Concepts -- Problems are viewed in a sociopolitcal & cultural context - Acknowledging psychological oppression imposed through sociopolitical status of women and minorities - The client know what is best for her life and is the expert in her own life - Emphasis is on educating clients about therapy process - Traditional ways of assessing psychological health are challenged - It is assumed that individual change will best occur through social change - Clients are encouraged to take social action 4 Approaches to Feminist Therapy -1) Liberal Feminism 2) Socialist Feminism 3) Radical Feminism 4) Cultural Feminism Liberal Feminism -Focus - Helping women overcome the limits and constraints of their socialization patterns