Subversive Dialogues: Theory In Feminist Therapy

Feminist therapy is more than a prescription of technique; it is a unique philosophy of psychotherapy. Even as much has been written on feminism and therapy, this bold book breaks new ground by making explicit and coherent the theoretical underpinnings of feminist therapy.Building on the revolutionary work of feminist scholars who have described how women use strategies of knowing the world in a manner distinct from men, Laura S. Brown, noted for her revolutionary work in the field of ethics and boundaries, shows how these insights should reshape the very nature of the therapeutic encounter. With meticulous care, the author examines key features of the therapeutic encounter with a feminist lens: the power of the therapist; assessment and diagnosis; the nature of exchange; the ethics of do; and differences in race, class, and sexual identity. She constructs a thought of therapy that helps the client develop a sense of entitlement to nourishing and equal relationships outside the therapist’s office. This powerful thought of feminist therapy is grounded throughout with case examples that illustrate how a dialogue between therapist and client can be healing, subversive, and transformative all at once.