I’m in the midst of reading a fascinating book by Philip Alcabes. The very title, “Dread: How Fear and Fantasy Have Fueled Epidemics from the Black Death to Avian Flu” gives me fodder for at least one article without even reading the book.
There is so much fuel for thought in this book, that you will have the opportunity to read several articles as my mental juices are stimulated.
Abstract
Feminist Therapy focuses on empowering women and helping them discover how to break the stereotypes and molds of some traditional roles that women play that may be blocking their development and growth. This type of therapy grew out of influences of the women’s movement of the late 1960’s. Feminist therapy tends to be more focused on strengthening women in areas such as assertiveness, communication, relationships, and self esteem. One of the main goals of feminist therapists is to develop equal mutual relationships of caring and support. The therapist believes that her client is the only “expert” in her own issues and will help her develop the tools needed to reach her potential as a unique and valuable individual. There are six main tenets of feminist therapy theory with five main principles. It is important to realize that feminist therapy is not just for women but men can benefit as well. Furthermore, there is a notion in feminist therapy that “personal is political”. This notion means that personal experiences are embedded in political situations, contexts, and realities.
Feminist Therapy
Feminist psychology grew from the influences of the women’s movement of the 1960’s. This movement was a grassroots one; therefore, no one particular theorist can be named the originator of feminist therapy. Feminists tried to keep elements of other psychological theories that worked but attempted to get rid of sexist aspects of the theories. They then tried to explain some of the common experiences and difficulties associated with the social roles that women endure that may be blocking their growth and development. The focus is mainly on helping women in areas such as assertiveness, communication, self-esteem, and relationships. Feminist therapy also focuses on empowering women by helping them see the impact of gender issues. The aim of therapy is change rather then adjustment. It is important to acknowledge sex roles, minority status and socialization in society as possible sources or causes of psychological difficulties. A core concept is equality; therefore, the therapist is seen as equal in the relationship with an outside perspective who provides guidance and new information but the client is seen as having the power to create his or her own desired outcome in themselves and their lives. Reclaiming personal power is a key concept. A task of the therapist is to help individuals explore and understand what is causing dysfunction and unhappiness and then to help develop strategies to overcome these difficulties… Continue Reading…
The past number of years have shown a growing recognition for the role of Counseling and Psychotherapy as a method of helping individuals to overcome a variety of conditions and emotional problems from issues with past experiences to relationship and work related issues and personal behavioral problems. In addition to this, many leading organizations, big or small are increasingly using psychologists and those with a background in Psychology to assist in the research and design of products and marketing activities as well. As a result, it’s really hard to ignore the fact that in recent times the demand for mental health professionals, i.e. psychotherapists or counselors has increased dramatically and in the coming years it is expected to continue to grow at dynamic pace, becoming one of the best paid areas in the field of mental health care.
Today, the arena of psychotherapy encompasses a broad category of mental health professionals who help individuals and families work through mental or emotional disorders by psychological means. Though, a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or mental health nurse can perform the role of a counselor or psychotherapist, the mental health care professional who has undertaken a degree in psychotherapy will be in ever greater demand. So, if you are really looking forward to becoming a counselor or a psychotherapist, you must earn a degree in psychotherapy. Attaining a degree in psychotherapy and counseling can be a real benefit for you. In fact, in recent times, it has emerged as the basic requirement for a psychotherapist’s license in many European countries.