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In this article, the authors describe how a feminist therapist approaches work with clients who practice self-inflicted violence (SIV). They begin by discussing feminist therapy, with its focus on empowerment of clients and the use of noncoercive strategies. The feminist perspective on understanding SIV behaviors is described, with SIV being defined as a coping strategy used by survivors of complex trauma as a means of self-care. Feminist therapy is illustrated with a case example of a woman who used SIV, and the challenges to a therapist wishing to promote client safety while empowering the client. Practice recommendations and cautions are advanced. Keywords: feminist therapy; self-inflicted violence; psychotherapy; complex trauma; gender

In the dominant culture of the United Stales (U.S.), Asian American women contend with racial and gender-specific stereotypes that relate specifically to the images of the Asian American woman's body. Recent literature on the body image and eating disorders of Asian American women reveals that beyond the issues of body shape, weight, and traditional diagnoses, issues of racism, racially specific parts of the body, and eating disturbance beyond the traditional diagnostic categories may hold significance. A review of the literature and multiculturally-informed feminist therapy approaches to addressing issues of body image and eating disorders among Asian American women are presented. KEYWORDS. Asian American women, body image, eating disorders, feminist therapy

Historically, psychology has operated from a pathology-based perspective. In the last several years, however, efforts have been made to balance this view with an acknowledgement of individual strengths and assets. For biracial women and girls, this approach may be particularly useful. Through the utilization of several techniques, including solution-focused interventions and narrative approaches to treatment, therapists can empower their female biracial clients through development of their strengths. KEYWORDS. Biracial, women, girls, strengths, positive interventions

Exercise has been identified as an effective intervention to increase well being, and to decrease depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses and disorders (Hayes, 1999). This paper is designed to identify exercise as an important intervention which is conceptually congruent from a feminist psychodynamic perspective. Although this author works from an eclectic approach, and believes it is helpful to conceptualize from a variety of perspectives for various disorders, and for various individuals, the focus of this paper will be to consider the use of exercise from a feminist perspective as applied to psychodynamic psychotherapy. Case examples will be provided, especially ones which reflect work with Latina clients. KEYWORDS. Latinas, psychodynamic therapy, empowerment, exercise

Our feminist perspective is one of empowerment for breast cancer survivors, and we believe that physical activity and exercise have the potential to shift the battle away from fear of living to living fully. In light of the psychosocial and cultural factors that influence the interpretation of the breast cancer experience, rehabilitation efforts have shifted from curing the disease to living with the disease, or survival. This shift is reflected in the selection of quality of life as the primary indicant of treatment efficacy. Interpreted from a feminist, empowerment perspective, evidence is presented demonstrating the positive influence of physical activity and exercise on quality of life in breast cancer survivors. We propose that physical activity has the potential to enhance perceptions of capabilities and control, thus empowering the individual to create her own reality. We conclude that physical exercise can be a safe and effective complementary and alternative method of therapy for breast cancer survivors. KEYWORDS, Breast cancer, women, exercise, rehabilitation, feminist, alternative treatments

Exercise can contribute to the feminist therapy goals of empowerment and consciousness raising, and it can help to alleviate depression, manage stress, reduce anxiety, improve body image, raise self-esteem and self-efficacy, and aid recovery from physical or sexual abuse. The purposes of this article are to review the potential contributions of exercise to feminist therapy and to encourage therapists to consider how their clients could benefit from engagement in regular physical exercise. KEYWORDS. Feminist therapy, exercise, women

Attempting to define the therapy relationship with women who are commonly diagnosed as Borderline is an especially challenging task. The purpose of this article is to provide a feminist-based theoretical framework within which the therapy relationship can be defined. This includes a formulation of the origins of relationship difficulties, with an understanding of the centrality of relationships for women's development. This also includes a definition of the therapist's role as a perspective keeper who empathically communicates the reality of the patient's relational experience as it manifests within the therapy relationship. The therapist holds perspective on the impact of the client's childhood, the need for safety, the need to tolerate ambivalence, and the need to pace the process of healing. KEYWORDS. Borderline diagnosis reframed, relational therapy

Power in therapy is an issue of great import. As feminist therapists, we work to create a relationship in which power is shared, and where mutuality is the goal. Yet denying power differentials in the therapy relationship may have deleterious consequences. Believing that we are powerless or have no power relative to others may be one of the most important issues related to harm in therapy. This article explores the ways in which a lack of recognition of power may be damaging through a discussion of women's relationship to power, power in therapy, and how denial of power may be associated with harm in therapy relationships. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: Website: KEYWORDS. Power, therapy, feminist therapy, powerlessness, mutuality, abuse of power, boundary violations, therapist-client relationships

An argument is presented supporting the use of feminist theory and women social workers in cases involving violent or abusive men. It is posited that the men simultaneously learn about the rights of others while learning to communicate with a social group they have previously oppressed.

A white feminist psychotherapist recounted her experiences in counseling an economically disadvantaged 17-year-old Puerto Rican girl. The therapy was focused on the girl's identity development, separation and individuation and was intended to help the girl become psychologically secure. The main factors considered in the girl's social situation were her close relationship with her mother and her intense but abusive relationship with her boyfriend. It was suggested that the therapist's whiteness enabled the girl to express freely her thoughts and feelings. She would have found it difficult to voice her opinions openly to a Hispanic woman or man.

Negative body image in women is evidence of internalized cultural messages about obtaining an unrealistic and changing body image ideal. Feminist therapy for negative body image balances an emphasis on socio-cultural and intrapsychic issues, while cognitive-behavioral therapy addresses specific thought patterns and dysfunctional behaviors. This paper reviews the literature on these approaches and gives specific suggestions for developing an integrated model. Ideas for setting the stage for therapy and using psychoeducational material are presented. Discussion also includes feminist cognitive restructuring, including normalizing and relabelling beliefs and developing counterarguments and adaptive restatements. Behavioral interventions include confronting avoidance behaviors and body image distortion, and including kinesthetic experiences and nurturing behaviors.

The use of the term survivor is widespread in the feminist therapy community. While the term survivor has been described in primarily positive terms in the abuse literature, this article examines some of the conflicting meanings it holds for women who have been sexually abused. Drawing from the words of clients, the authors argue that women's experiences with abuse are diverse and complex. This paper outlines the dangers of labeling in the therapeutic context, and advocates for approaches to working with women which acknowledge women's experiences of violation while not reducing women to those experiences. Finally, the authors encourage a therapeutic process which offers women an opportunity to explore language and acquire control over the naming of their realities.

Gender differences in mental health have been the focus of much research and debate in several academic disciplines. This paper reviews the literature regarding the socio-cultural dimensions of women's mental health in the United States. Feminist scholarship on mental health has followed two lines of inquiry. The first, a social causation approach, examines the features of women's lives that enhance or undermine well-being. The social constructionist perspective involves critical analyses of methodology and conceptions of mental health and illness. This body of literature suggests that the findings of gender differences in mental health are artifactual and focuses on the sexism of psychiatry. Although these bodies of work have remained largely distinct and have been criticized as contradictory, both are important ingredients of a general feminist perspective on mental health. Feminist therapy is used as a model for a synthesis of approaches.

The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in women seeking treatment necessitates that all therapists be able to assess and treat clients with these problems, yet many have not received the necessary training. Beginning therapists are offered guidelines in working with this population which may contrast with traditional theories of intervention. Highlighted are recognizing and detecting sexual abuse in clients, introducing the sexual abuse into treatment, the special requirements of a therapeutic relationship with women who have survived sexual abuse, and dealing with the competing demands of addressing the past trauma and present symptomatology in treatment.

Traditional psychotherapy uses patriarchal definitions of the mother-daughter relationship as a competition which fails to consider the psychological impact of the daughter's marriage when the two have been very close. The myth of Demeter and Persephone provides feminist psychotherapists with an alternative relationship that accepts the mother's grief and abandonment feelings so that she can be treated rather than considered selfish. Myth can often provide paradigms for feminists outside of patriarchical culture and therefore provide alternative treatment philosophies.

Although several authors have written of the unique needs and stresses encountered by Asian American women, little information is available about the culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches in working with them. This paper attempts to identify some of the issues relevant for work with various groups of Asian American women. Sources of stress are discussed considering a variety of economic, cultural, and historic factors. Therapeutic approaches for dealing with these stressors are also discussed. In addition to traditional therapies, feminist perspectives are considered and issues of gender roles are raised. Finally, case examples and suggestions for therapists are provided.

Women are silenced by gender-biased practices that reward their obedience and punish them for speaking out. This is especially true of Palestinian women who live under sociopolitical oppression and are faced with a social reality that is sexist, patriarchal, and discriminatory. The dialogue tent introduced here offered a safe space for Palestinian women to break silence, critically consider their own experiences, and conceptualize and voice their feelings. The main aims of this contextually sensitive research were to open a dialogue with those who had been muted, to learn from them, and to search for creative methods to address their concerns.