Feminist Psychology and Psychotherapy



Abstract

Feminist Psychology and its therapeutic techniques took the world of Psychology by the storm. The theory with its tenets was one of it kind and promoted equality on part of women who were being neglected earlier. The therapy can be applied on a diverse population, hence making it one of the best therapeutic techniques in the field. The paper aims at the theoretical analysis and theoretical application of Feminist therapeutic techniques to a case study being performed; charting out the goals and their application on the client.

Abstractii

Introduction1

Theoretical Analysis- Feminism1

Background1

Discussion2

Feminism and Psychology2

Appraisal2

Basic Philosophies3

Developmental Phases of Feminist Psychology4

Feminist Psychotherapeutic Techniques4

Role of Counselor5

Personal Views about Therapy7

Diverse application8

Theoretical Application- Background8

Goals9

Session IV- Issues to be Addressed12

Session V- Issues to be Addressed12

Session VI- Issues to be Addressed13

Expected Outcome- Strengths and Limitations13

Cultural Considerations14

Evaluation Session14

Conclusion14

Feminist Psychology and Psychotherapy

Introduction

Theoretical Analysis- Feminism

The term 'Feminism' has always been a point of subjectivity in fields like art, literature and psychology, keeping its presence strong and at times conflicting as well. It holds both positive and negative reviews in all the domains, but in the field of psychology, it holds a very strong place due to its implication in handling women related psychological issues. In the field of psychology, the feminist views were appreciated and criticized as well but the general notion maintained was that every human being has the right to look for his/her liberty no matter what gender, religion or race they belong to. The idea is supported by the most renowned feminist definition as human beings are of equal worth and that the pervading patriarchal social structures which perpetuate hierarchy of dominance, based upon gender, must be resisted and transformed toward a more equitable system” (Funkerburk and Fukuyama, 2001).

Origin of Feminism

Background

Feminism was a term that first made its appearance in France and later Netherlands in the year 1872 (Offen, 1987. The term then moved to make its appearance in the Great Britain and later the USA in 1910 (Cott, 1987). The term feminism is a combination of two French words 'femme' and 'isme', which focused on women issues and them being given importance (Freedman, 2002). It was a 'movement' just like communism and socialism.

Feminism developed in three phases. The first phase originated in the 1800s and was termed as women movement then. The leap came in the 1960s when the topic of women being equal to men was advocated that women are as competent as men and they should be given an equal placement in work and politics. In less than a decade, the phenomenon was labeled as feminism which is defined as a belief that women and men are equal in worth. Because a majority of societies privilege men as a group, social movements are necessary to achieve equality between women and men with the understanding that gender always intersects with other social hierarchies (Freedman, 2002).

Discussion

Feminism and Psychology

Psychology and feminism go hand in hand since the inception of the movement as Karen Horney is quoted by Hitchcock from her essay The flight from ...