Psych 222 Theory of Feminist Therapy Practice Guiding

Psych 222 Theory of Feminist Therapy Practice Guiding principles ¡ Questioning standards ¡ Roles ¡ Examples: working with rape survivors ¡ Challenges ¡ Practice: context & self ¡

Guiding Principles of Feminist Therapy ¡ ¡ “Downstream” fable Sociopolitical aims: equity and justice Value different experiences, perspectives Integrated analysis of role of oppression l l ¡ ¡ ¡ Sees culture as stratified Interlocking vectors power/privilege Address abuses of power Sees therapy as value laden Imperative for social change

Questioning Traditional Standards Who defines mental health? ¡ How is mental health measured? ¡ What is the context for scientific research? ¡ Considers qualitative research ¡ Is “treatment” metaphor empowering or disempowering? ¡

Roles of Feminist Therapist ¡ ¡ Advocate for policies and laws Pioneer research and treatments Help cts connect problems to context Uses therapy relationship as key to healing, emphasizes connection

Example: Working with Female Rape Survivors ¡ ¡ ¡ Establish informed consent Assess trauma history/context Connect rape to continuum of violence against women Therapy relationship as healing Enable ct to experience anger Help ct construct empowering narrative

Challenges of Feminist Therapist ¡ ¡ ¡ Therapist must be fully present Integration of theories & practices Setting boundaries and being egalitarian Compassion fatigue Working on both prevention and intervention

Practice: Talking to Cts Culture & Self ¡ ¡ How do you identify ethnically? What role has culture played in your life? I’m wondering if there are ways in which your experiences with your culture have helped you? I’m wondering if there are ways in which your experiences with your culture have caused problems for you?

Practice: Talking to Cts Gender, Development & Self ¡ ¡ What does it mean to you for you to be a man/ woman with that cultural background? What is like for you to be in your 20 s/30 s and to have reached this stage of life? I’m wondering if there any significant transitions affecting you at this time. . I’m wondering if there any self doubts or concerns related to being at this point in your life that you want to discuss…

Practice: Talking to Cts Class & Self ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ I’m wondering about opportunities that you had growing up What do you remember about being in school as a child? About after school? About work experiences About opportunities for higher ed. ? Were there people who served as role models for you-who were they? I’m wondering if you see yourself as a role model…

Practice: Talking to Cts Ability & Self ¡ ¡ I’m wondering if there any accomplishments or abilities you are particularly proud of… Are there any things that are particularly hard for you? How have these challenges affected to you? How have you sought to overcome these challenges?

Practice: Talking to Cts The Problem ¡ ¡ ¡ If there was one thing you could change through therapy, what would it be? What would it mean for you to change this? How would an average day be different? How would those close to you react if you made this change? What makes it hard to accomplish this change? I’m wondering if this is something we could work on together…