What is Feminist Therapy?
So you're curious about Feminist Therapy and have found your way here. I'm so glad! Feminist Therapy is a unique approach to psychotherapy and I’m excited to share it with you.
First, I want to be clear that I am not speaking for all feminist therapists or the field at large. Instead, I'm sharing some values and principles I incorporate into my own Feminist Therapy practice as a therapist who specializes in working with women and girls.
But first, the basics:
My therapy practice focuses exclusively on the experiences of self-identified women and teen girls in California. I offer online therapy specializing in the treatment of anxiety, stress, and trauma.
During Feminist Therapy we address issues including:
- Self-esteem / Self- worth
- Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome
- Body Image and relationship to food
- Issues related to privilege and marginalization
- Identity and intersectionality
- Discrimination and bias
- Spirituality and recovery from religious trauma
- Exploration of life’s work and purpose
- Sexuality
- Self-care / soul-care
I utilize talk therapy, expressive arts therapy, and spiritually-integrated therapy. As well, I utilize evidence-based practices including DBT, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing. My therapy practice is holistic.
Feminist Therapy values collaboration between client and therapist, transparency, and authenticity.
Some other principles and values I look to in my work include:
- Honoring an individual's cultural, political, and social experiences in daily life
- Recognizing the importance of relationships and interconnection in our lives
- Working toward social and ecological justice
- Focusing on and cultivating strengths and resiliency, while honoring painful experiences
- Practicing self-compassion
- Cultivating joy, purpose, and meaning in our lives
- Exploring creativity & spirituality as a means for healing and growth
The Roots of Feminist Therapy are Deep
What many people don’t realize is that Feminist Therapy is an actual therapeutic theory and approach, just as is Psychodynamic Therapy or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Feminist Therapy is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and believes that the problem is different than the person. Feminist Therapy also positions the client as the expert on their own lives. It encourages the therapist and client to work as a team and it believes personal healing contributes to social equality and justice.
Feminist Therapy’s Emergence in the 1960s
Feminist Therapy emerged in the 1960s right alongside the women's rights and civil rights movements. It was a radical alternative to earlier approaches to psychotherapy. Those approaches were very much rooted in patriarchal and Eurocentric values. But wait … what does that mean? It means the experiences of Cis-men and white people were centered on mental health. This put everyone else at a higher risk of being misunderstood. And even ignored or pathologized.
So what does Feminist Therapy look like in practice?
Good question. Each client is unique and I begin by really listening to your story. I’ll make note of your concerns, as well as your strengths. I’ll ask you what you’d like to get out of therapy. And if you’re open, I may offer some ideas as well.
From there, each session will look different. You may need a place to vent, crave feedback, or are eager to learn some new tools. Perhaps you want to explore deeply using art or spiritual interventions. The possibilities are endless.
An Actively Engaged Therapist
I am not the type of therapist who stays quiet and nods. You can rest assured that I am in this with you. I’ll remain active and engaged.
If you're interested in learning more about why Feminist Therapy is more relevant than ever, please check out my blog posts on the topic. And if you have specific questions or are interested in setting up a consultation, please contact me here. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Begin Feminist Therapy in California
My approach is holistic and tailored to meet each client’s specific needs. Wherever you are at this moment, I'm in this with you - warm, direct, and transparent in the process. And I love the work I do. Let’s get started!
Schedule a free initial consultation
Have questions? Let's chat
Other Services Offered By Jessika Fruchter, LMFT- Therapy For Women And Girls
In addition to providing Feminist Therapy in California, I also offer online therapy for women, therapy for teen girls, and expressive arts therapy for women and teen girls in California.
Other Services Include:
Groups and Workshops for Women:
Magic happens when women come together! I offer new groups and workshops quarterly, both online and in-person. Topics and themes have included:
Therapeutic Writing
Mask Making
Tarot Practice for Developing Intuition
Women’s Circles
Clinical Consultation For Therapists:
I specialize in collaborating with clinicians who want to integrate expressive arts therapy or psychospiritual practices such as tarot therapy, dreamwork, altar making, and ritual, into their practices. I also offer training on these topics. To learn more about my offerings for clinicians visit: www.mycreativepractice.com.
Training For Psychotherapists:
I have a passion for providing creative and useful training to teams on the front line of community mental health. Past training has focused on trauma-informed expressive arts therapy interventions and burnout prevention. Training may also be developed/tailored based on the unique need of the team. Contact me here.
Books And Blogs:
Check out my first book project for teens published in September 2021. For articles and essays about women’s mental health and wellness, check out my blog, Say More and you can also subscribe to receive the latest updates.