The demystification of the therapeutic process is also an important aspect of
feminist therapy, which, when carried over into supervision, can result in a kind of transparency regarding the supervision process (Edwards & Chen, 1999).
Focusing on the practical application of feminist theory to clinical experience, Introduction to
Feminist Therapy provides guidelines to help therapists master social action and empowerment techniques, feminist diagnostic and assessment strategies and gender role and power analyses to foster individual and social change.
Social discourses of motherhood and sexuality are relevant at a variety of levels of clinical focus, and attention to power dynamics is a central component of
feminist therapy (Rader & Gilbert, 2005).
The evolution of
feminist therapy involves the reconstruction of therapeutic goals, values, frameworks, and theory, as well as an acknowledgement that there is no single reality, no one "right" feminist theory or epistemological position about women.
Rather than focusing on theoretical and clinical issues, this practical manual of
feminist therapy for students and practitioners discusses specific techniques used in
feminist therapy and illustrates them with case studies and vignettes, exercises, and discussion questions.
Proclaiming that
feminist therapy is not only for women, clinical/ forensic psychologist Brown (in private practice, Seattle) describes a therapeutic approach that seeks to empower clients while still influencing mainstream practice.
Seval Kizildag and Nilufer Voltan-Acar's, analyse Turkish author Halide Edip Adivar's novel entitled "Vurun Kahpeye" in terms of basic concepts and principles of
feminist therapy in the second article.
To structure their learning, I teach students four guiding strategies and interventions for counseling with girls and women that are adapted from Worell and Remer's (2003) empowerment
feminist therapy and from Enns's (2004)
feminist therapy approach.
Two theories that can be useful in guiding counselors in meeting this challenge are social constructivist theory (Watzlawick, 1984) and
feminist therapy (Hyde, 2004; Worell & Johnson, 2001; Worell & Remer, 1992).
The program is informed by principles of
feminist therapy and feminist psychology even as it exists within a university hospital.
Plus, reservations about a number of practices within
feminist therapy are challenged, in particular, the use of self-disclosure and the need for all therapists to become social activists (Cheryl Dileo).
Keywords: male anorexia nervosa, masculinity,
feminist therapy, social stigma, DSM-IV
