Feminist Theoretic Approach

Describe Feminist’s theory about the ideas of empowerment and social change.

Feminist theory is based on the ideology that a female’s distresses are externally perpetrated through the social, cultural, and political frameworks. The feminist psychotherapy approach includes a segment that exposes their client the psychological effects caused by imposed marginalization of females. Feminist therapist view that is their professional duty to incorporate a feminist perspective in their therapeutic process. Corey and Herlihy (2015) embellishes on how women’s distress is primarily due their powerlessness due to their subordinate position in society. Feminist therapist ideology is to creates an unbiased atmosphere and uses techniques to help

This stance can materialize into participating with a larger community. Counselors should facilitate their client’s needs and not push their personal agenda on their client’s regardless of how humane or socially correct. American Counseling Association (2014) Code of Ethics A.4b (2014) state “Counselors are aware of and avoid imposing—their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors” (p.5). However, ACA Ethics A.7a. (2014) indicate that counselors have a responsibility to advocate for the client’s by devoting an effort for their client when there is a potential obstruction of their client’s psychological progress and/or development. Counselors should be careful to not give the perception that their involvement is not viewed as using their client to promote their personal initiative. Pusateri & Headley (2015) describes how counselors promote social change through therapy closure. This process is approached by being attentive to the client’s apprehensions of their abilities to maintain their therapeutic progress. One closure technique therapist can use is to switch the clients attention toward social

In the contextual application of the Feminist Theory has been practiced long before white feminist labeled this ideology as their own. Personally, Feminist theory principles i.e. political and critical consciousness, commitment to social change, focus on strengths and reformulation of psychological distress and, recognizing oppression are fundamental principles that should be incorporated or considered by a therapist in their therapeutic approach. Non-white counselors should educate their client’s on the potential impact it may have on their unconscious wellbeing. Evans, Kincade, Marbley, & Seem (2005) discusses how [“psychologist, must provide therapy that is sensitive to and respectful of the combines historical, cultural, racial, and gender factors” (p.275). As a minority counselor the residual effects of family history will always provide an opportunity to seek social change and development an empowering mentality to address certain distressful issues that have produce a negative effect in my client’s life. In my pursuit of facilitating a therapeutic solution or pathway it is my duty to inquire if my client is contemplating in becoming an active agent pursuit of social change. ACA (2014) Code of Ethics A.7.a. acknowledge that counselors have an ethical responsibility to assist their clients in advocating at personal, institutional, and societal levels for the eradication of probable