Feminist therapy

The Feminist Psychotherapy is one arising in the 1970s ideological framework for existing forms of therapy on the basis of feminism, but not a new or separate treatment procedures. Premise of feminist psychotherapy is that women (and men ) are restricted in their development and behavior through socially prescribed gender roles. Therapists should take a feminist stance of exercise of feminist psychotherapy.

History

Feminist psychotherapy developed in the context of the women's movement in the 1970s in the United States of consciousness -raising groups. This woman discussion groups were based on self-help principle and gave impetus to the development of women's self- help therapy. It was the criticism of the conventional patriarchal forms of treatment and discrimination against women in the context of psychotherapy, psychology and psychiatry in the foreground. Women's self-help therapy was characterized by a collective experience of our own oppression, the awareness of the constraints of gender roles and their reflection on their own lives. The result of this process of self-discovery were connected to act in solidarity in the political context. However, developed in the groups themselves own norms and constraints. The basic conflict was in the postulate of common concern and solidarity, the negated individual differences. This led to the one in the reversal of self-help groups, on the other hand to a professionalization of the therapeutic process. The latter phase was the development of feminist therapy result. Stahr interprets the development of feminist therapy as a collective learning process, were integrated into the women of the different working relationships in health care and public service. Binding element was a feminist perspective on the patriarchal structure of society.

Feminist psychotherapy since about 1977, first in the western part, offered in Germany. The providers that are also concerned with the advancement of therapy, are usually women's counseling centers, women's therapy and women's health centers. The trend can be observed an increased therapeutic range on the basis of feminist therapy through free or in institutions such as hospitals working therapists.

The term feminist psychotherapy was first published in 1982 by Luise Oak Brook and Susie Orbach, and in 1984 translated into German. It was not a new therapy method developed here, but incorporated feminist insights into existing methods. The basis of this process made ​​i.a. Criticism of the usual methods, as well as a disease attribution without taking into account the social context.

Discussion

Whether Feminist Psychotherapy is an independent form of therapy is controversial. Ruth Grossmann believes that the feminist therapy did not constitute an independent therapeutic approach, but the assurance of a psycho culture, which is not redeemable in the context of therapeutic processes. In your opinion, therapy will be confused with political commitment. This would recognize that the therapeutic relationship structure is characterized by a knowledge and power differentials, while just did political work in the women's movement equitable action and solidarity as a basic requirement. Likewise, if it were in therapy for the healing of problematic relationship in interpersonal relationships, whereas the political work was aimed at eliminating pathogenic structures. After Ingeborg Stahr would it be concluded that the required in the context of feminist therapy identity development in the context of the therapeutic processes can not be realized. Sabine Scheffler takes the position that an independent feminist therapy exists with reference to training concepts from universities in the United States. Although the various approaches are complex and influenced more summative, stand behind the various basic concepts of feminist therapy a stable conception. This leg hold a specific interpretation of the therapeutic processes in women, and the development of a unique self-understanding and action concept. She argues in relation to Grossmann, that the task of feminist therapy is not seen in the motivation of women to political work, but that the political aspect lies in the realization that personal suffering is anchored collectively. Autonomy mean in this context, to develop sensitivity to the disadvantaged position in society to be this vigilant and to formulate it on the outside. Personal autonomy also means the ability to think about what a woman in the society happens to oppression, to feel sorrow. The solidarity aspect of the client - therapist relationship in feminist therapy looks Scheffler in the knowledge " that the terms of the client in their life and at the time, I basically could happen from my position as a woman here also ." Regardless of the Inegalität the therapeutic relationship in terms of design and knowledge is power would be accepted. Ingeborg Stahr recognizes all approaches in the general cognitive -led interest connected with the socio-critical interpretation of psychological suffering the basis for an independent feminist therapeutic direction.