Feminist therapy is a person-centered approach to counseling that considers the impact of cultural, social, and political contexts on women. In the case of Gwen, the therapist applies this model to help the client realize the effect of gender roles on her life and reclaim her power. As I read about the therapist’s interventions with Gwen, I felt bitter about the problems women face from a young age, and I reacted positively to the counselor’s choice of words and treatment techniques. In particular, feminist therapy highlights that gender inequality, sexism, and misogyny are incorporated into various aspects of society and human life, affecting women globally (Jones-Smith, 2019). The therapist’s interventions such as gender role analysis, psycho-education, and self-disclosure allow for understanding the causes behind the client’s issues. They include experiencing sexual abuse and getting silenced as a child, being raised in a men-centered culture, and facing microaggressions and toxic treatment at work as a black woman. In the given case study, the counselor’s goal is to empower Gwen by helping her reclaim her personal power, use her voice, and redefine her role in society.
The application of a feminist perspective in Gwen’s case is different from other theoretical frameworks as the approach highlights the impact of gender and associated stressors on the client’s life. In other words, this theory assumes that the problem is located in the social environment rather than the individual and their behavior (Blanchfield, 2021). At the same time, feminist therapy emphasizes the importance of empowerment, independence, responsibility for one’s own life, and assertiveness. It can be seen that this counseling technique helps reduce Gwen’s feeling of helplessness. After the therapy session, the woman is more confident about using her voice as she decides to consistently address the inequality and bias to make a change in society. Overall, the feminist approach to counseling is more aware of the cultural and social contexts shaping people’s lives than other frameworks, including existential, gestalt, or reality therapy theories.
References
Blanchfield, T. (2021). What is feminist therapy?Verywell Mind. Web.
Jones-Smith, E. (2019). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: An integrative approach (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.