The Differences Between Gender-Assistant Therapy And Feminist Therapy

As noted in the textbook, feminist therapy began as a result of the women 's rights movement in the early 1970 's. Up to that point, women were seen as inferior and societal views of women 's roles and their emotional temperament permeated the therapists ' views and influenced the direction of the therapy. Most therapists were male and most patients were white, middle-aged women. The standard of what was seen as healthy was developed by men and based on masculine traits. Feminist therapists were aware of misogynistic influences and sought to eliminate these with a set of guiding principles. This paper will highlight the elements of feminist therapy and compare them with other therapies and then, will identify the difference between gender-sensitive therapy and feminist therapy.
Feminist therapy principle 1: Personal and social identities are interdependent
As individuals we have many roles in society. For example, one person could be a mother, sister, employee, citizen, aunt, business

Gender-sensitive therapy focuses on issues specific to men and utilizes the M.A.S.T.E.R.Y. principles. In essence, men’s issues are viewed in context to gender roles which inhibit men’s views, emotional expression and fulfillment. Therapist monitor reactions and behaviors, assume the client is feeling pain, see problems in context of gender, transmit empathy and understanding, empower men to change, respect resistance and, understand that societal expectations of being a man can make progress slow. The similarities of this with feminist therapy are numerous; gender roles are evaluated, societal influences are taken into consideration and political and social action is encouraged as a part of personal development. Both also employ an egalitarian relationship and respect for the client’s views and values. The only discernable difference is the gender of