I’m a Feminist Therapist: What Does That Mean?
At Rosebud Psychotherapy, I believe therapy should be a space where you feel seen, heard, and empowered—not just around validating your stress or anxiety, but also to show an understanding of how societal expectations and systemic pressures shape your experiences — including your mental health! That’s where feminist therapy comes in.
What Is Feminist Therapy?
Feminist therapy acknowledges that anxiety, self-doubt, and people-pleasing (some of my therapy specialties) don’t happen in a vacuum—many of the struggles women face are shaped by societal expectations, gender roles, and cultural pressures. This approach to therapy recognizes how bias, discrimination, and systemic barriers can contribute to stress and self-criticism, making it harder to trust yourself, set boundaries, and feel truly at ease in your own life.
In therapy, we’ll explore not just the personal, but also the larger forces that may have influenced how you see yourself and what you believe you’re allowed to ask for. Our work together is built on mutual respect and collaboration—you're the expert on your own life, and my role is to help you uncover the strengths, resilience, and inner wisdom that you already have.
Who Feminist Therapy Helps
I think feminist therapy applies to and helps everyone! We are all impacted by the larger systems of oppression in society. We all carry implicit biases as a result of social conditioning. Some folks wants to work on unpacking their privileges or biases in the therapy room, as it can be a very difficult topic to bring up in other spaces. For example, maybe a cis man wants to unlearn toxic masculinity so he can finally feel his feelings without shame and express them more easily to his loved ones. Feminist therapy can help with that!
I specifically love to help anyone who:
Feels stuck in people-pleasing, perfectionism, or self-doubt
Wants to be able to talk about politics and social issues in their therapy sessions
Struggles with anxiety, depression, or burnout
Wants to set healthier boundaries and learn to use their voice more
Experiences the emotional weight of oppression, discrimination, or societal pressures
Wants to feel more authentic, confident, and in control of their life
Examine how social conditioning impacts them and their mental health
Wants to build on their strengths and work on more self-compassion and self-acceptance
Core Principles of Feminist Therapy
At Rosebud Psych, feminist therapy is woven into my work through:
Collaboration – You’re the expert on your life. I’m the expert with certain theories and tools. I see therapy as a partnership and work to minimize the power imbalance in the therapy room. We use both of our expertise to support you and help you achieve your goals.
De-pathologizing and Contextualizing – Your feelings and struggles make sense in the world we live in. We work on shifting self-blame into self-understanding. This can look like reframing some of your struggles by looking at them through a broader societal lens, not just an individual one.
Exploring Social Conditioning – Therapy sessions may focus on diversity, gender issues, and sexism. Together, we unpack how expectations (like “being nice” or “not taking up space”) may be contributing to your dissatisfaction in relationships, work, and life.
Building Boundaries & Assertiveness – Saying no and prioritizing yourself is not selfish; it’s necessary. For folks with marginalized identities, they may have learned to shrink or quieted themselves to conform to societal pressures. In therapy, we begin to explore communication and how and when to use your voice.
Intersectional Awareness – You hold multiple identities when it comes to race, gender, sexuality, and ability/disability and how you experience the intersection of all your identities is something that should be considered when we talk about your mental health.
No “Blank-Faced” Therapist – I show up as a human in the therapy room, not as a standoff-ish, blank-faced therapist that only mutters “hmm” or “mmhm.” I may occasionally share something about myself if I feel that it will help you open up in some way or could otherwise benefit your work. My focus is on an authentic connection in the therapeutic relationship.
Feminist Therapy in Action
At Rosebud Psychotherapy, I incorporate feminist therapy principles into all aspects of my work, including:
1:1 Therapy – Personalized support to help you explore self-worth, confidence, and empowerment.
Interpersonal Women’s Process Group – A space for women to connect, share, and grow together.
Therapeutic Book Club – A weekly book club that reads books on mental health, self-love, and social justice.
Ready to Reclaim Your Voice?
If you’ve ever felt like you’re too much, not enough, or constantly juggling everyone else’s needs, feminist therapy can help you find your footing again. You deserve support that honors your experiences, your struggles, and your strength.
Let’s talk. Reach out to schedule a free consultation to discuss your therapy needs.