PERSON CENTRED THERAPY AND FEMINIST THERAPY
In looking at comparing person centred therapy with feminist perspectives I first thought that they were quite similar. However, with further research I discovered that in fact they are quite different approaches to therapy. In this essay I will compare and contrast both of these approaches to therapy. I will pay particular attention to key concepts, therapeutic goals, theory of change, the therapeutic relationship and situations where the therapies are appropriate and also inappropriate.
Key concepts
One of key concepts of person centred therapy is the belief that the client has the ability to become aware of their own problems and has the inherent means to resolve them. In this sense,
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While PCT believes in the personal uniqueness of individuals, this is also true for FT, however, FT goes further by explaining that the history and methodology of health and medicine means that women are organised/pathologised according to a masculine view of the world (Hurst 1995).
Both PCT and FT do not claim to be a methodology in themselves but a practice that can be taken to other therapeutic techniques. Central to PCT is the therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor and this is one of the key concepts that with the right environment and relationship a client can move toward positive change (Payne 2005). This is also important for FT practitioners who emphasise an egalitarian approach. Both maintain that the counsellor is not the expert and believe in active listening, empathy and positive regard as tenants of the relationship. Both believe in the value of self disclosure. However, the central concept of feminist therapy is the gender issues and sexism embedded in our social structures. PCT does not enter into or comment on these external factors as priority and concentrates on the internal world of the individual.
Ballou (1996) in Ivey (2002) comments on other concepts of feminist therapy. An understanding of pluralism is one. That is, the value of difference. Although focused on women it respects the multidimensionality of people and the understanding of power that is that one cannot be free if others are restricted. PCT put this in
This assignment is an attempt to discuss two different types of therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and person centered therapy and highlight some important similarities and differences between them.
One Feminist technique for Julie’s case is reframing and relabeling. In the Feminist Therapy is referred to shifting from oneself and placing blame on society. It is a different outlook as compared to reframing in Family Systems. Reframing and relabeling can be effective when the client removes her focus and blame on him or herself and place it to the society. It provides a different insight for client. For example, instead for a client to blame on depression, the client will shift the blame to society for the reason for the client may have.
With the revival of the feminist movement in the 1960 's many women started to renounce traditional theories of psychotherapy, arguing that these theories were sexist, oppressive, and ultimately detrimental to the psychological and emotional well-being of women. Feminist advocates highlighted the limiting nature of socialized gender roles and the damaging effects of the various levels of oppression experienced by women. In response to the recognition of these perceived injustices, feminist support groups formed and eventually a feminist approach to therapy was collaboratively developed. Feminist therapists practice with an awareness of how gender socialization and systemic
It is vital that the service user is in a state of incongruence in order to change. Being aware that things need to change is hugely important for the service user. With this knowledge person centred therapy can benefit the person helping themselves without much intervention. If the service user is oblivious to their difficulties, it makes it difficult for the service user to work through them using person centered therapy. Likely, the fact that the service user is getting help shows a consciousness of their problems. However , the individual may be there involuntarily, resulting in a negative process and not receive the benefits.
The name is deceiving, but feminist therapy is not only suitable for women. Men can benefit from this therapeutic process as well, as they are also known to deal with social and gender role restrictions (the demands of strength, autonomy, and
Person-centered therapy is just one of over more than 300 different types of psychotherapy treatments available to clients, illustrated by Holmes and Lindley (1989) as ranging from Active Analytical Psychotherapy to Zaraleya Psychoenergetic Technique. Over the years, these varying schools of thought have not always seen eye to eye with emphasis being placed on differences rather than any commonality leading to much heated debate and discussion over which technique is the most effective for both therapist and client.
In this essay I will focus my discussion on who should counsel others in feminist family therapy. I will answer if a man can be a feminist family therapist, if a therapist can do feminist family therapy with an individual and what gender should the counsellor be, and can a therapist do family therapy with both adults and children either in groups or individually.
I had originally planned to reflect upon my thoughts and opinions on the different theories that were presented on this semester and how I believe they will be used in my future practice. There were many interesting theories that I had not paid much attention to in my master’s program or at conferences that has now caught my attention. However, after the presentation on feminist family therapy, I decided to change my reflection paper. I want to reflect upon the impact of feminism in my personal and professional lives and how I plan to use it in my practice with clients both from the dominant and non-dominant cultures.
Person-centered theory embraces the person-centered counselling or client-centered counselling relationship. It’s a humanistic approach that deals with the ways in which individuals perceive themselves consciously rather than how a counsellor can interpret their unconscious thoughts or ideas (Raskin, Nathaniel, Rogers & Witty, 2008). It provides focus to the client’s ability to build trust, which allows the client to learn how to react to people, and situations, in a more positive manner, as well as reducing negative feelings. As well as diverged toward a nondirective, empathic approach that empowers and motivates the client in the therapeutic process (Raskin, Nathaniel, Rogers & Witty, 2008). According to Roger, human being strives for and has the capacity to fulfill his or her own potential (Rogers,
There is no one founder when it comes to the discovery, and accreditation of feminist counselling. These women have all contributed to the founding of feminist counselling - Jean Baker Miller, Carol Gilligan, Carolyn Enns, Laura Brown, Lillian Comas-Diaz, and Olivia Espin, Judith Worrell, Pam Remer, Sandra Bem, Ellyn Kaschak , Bonnie Burstow, Judith V. Jordan and Mary N. Russell.
The person centered treatment was founded by Carl Rogers around the 1940’s. This kind of treatment separated from the conventional model of the advisor, and moved rather to a nondirective, empathic practice that engages and inspires the client in the remedial procedure (Psychology, 2015). The treatment is in light of Rogers' believes that each individual takes an attempt at their ability to fulfill his or her own potential. The person centered focus treatment, has an impact on psychotherapy and other discipline treatments. This counseling techniques can be used for many types of individuals looking for help. Centered Therapy has been especially valuable when treating low self-esteem, depressed treatment, addictions in drug and alcohol recovery,
As a therapist I believe that I could use any theory to treat my patients; although knowing that most of the roots of the problems for these patients stem from discrimination and oppression based on their gender; then I would choose to use the feminist theory. This theory has six goals: equality, balancing independence and interdependence, self-nurturance, empowerment, social change, and valuing and affirming diversity. While treating a client I would adopt a social multicultural perspective and empower my client to create a worldview of equality that is reflected in his/her relationships (Corey, G., 2017). My aim would be to replace (transform) patriarchy with feminist consciousness by stressing interdependence rather than dependence and
Being that this approach deals with overcoming oppression and the balance of power. Feminist psychotherapy are useful in working with male clients, individuals from diverse racial and cultural back grounds and people who are addressing social injustice(Corey, 2013, pg. 380). Although in the United States there is a feminist movement, there are many countries out there where male dominance is normal, and when working with those populations, you have to be culturally sensitive to those males and their views on gender
The main approach in providing counseling to women (and even some men) are feminist theory (Mejía, 2005). The view emerged from the feminist counseling explosion of women's emancipation movement in the 1960s. Initially, the movement challenging the power of the patriarchate, but in its development, focused on the development of women as individuals who have exceptional and unique qualities. Beginning with the publication in a different voice by Carol Gilligan, integrating feminist theory into
Feminist Psychology really started to flourish in the 1960’s and 1970’s. There isn’t any one particular theorist that can be credited for Feminist Therapy; rather there were a combination of psychologist who aided in the creation of Feminist Therapy. Feminist Psychologist tried to eliminate the sexist aspects of other traditional theories, but still integrate parts of those other theories that worked. The goals that the original Feminist Psychologist established in the 60’s and 70’s are still used today. One of the goals of Feminist Therapy is to establish a relationship with a mutual understanding of power. The therapist should understand that the client is the expert on her own issues. It is important for the therapist to know that the therapist is only there to help the client develop the tools that are necessary to reach her maximum potential as a valuable and unique individual. The second main goal of Feminist Therapy is change. Feminist Therapy strives to not only help the individual change for the better, but also society (Mahaney, 2014). Gender issues, like gender stereotyping and gender roles, can lead to psychological distress in individuals therefore they need to be addressed. Gender stereotypes and gender roles can negatively impact a person’s identity, because of this Feminist Therapy is not only for women, but for men as well. Both women and men can benefit from Feminist Therapy because it helps individuals better understand the impact the gender stigmas play on a person’s mental health. Females live in a mostly