Therapy for Women | Psychology of Strength

THERAPY FOR WOMEN

I see the wise woman. And she sees me. She smiles from shrines in thousands of places. She is buried in the ground of every country. She flows in every river and pulses in the oceans. The wise woman’s robe flows down your back, centering you in the ever-changing, ever-spiraling mystery. — Susun Weed, Meditation on the Wise Woman

In the multiple roles that women assume today, that of mother, partner, wife, nurturer, provider, friend, coworker, we become stressed and forget to give that same attention to ourselves. Our culture raises women to think of themselves last, to smile no matter what, and to be silent instead of protest. It is no wonder, then, that women are twice as likely as men to be one of the 17 million Americans who suffer from depression.

Women experience stress from a variety of sources that can lead to emotional difficulties that interfere with their ability to function in daily living, to sleep or to eat properly. Women are also more at risk to experience physical abuse and sexual assault, leading to emotional difficulties from unresolved trauma.

The physiology of women can complicate the picture further. Women experience hormonal changes throughout their lives that significantly impact all areas of functioning. Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), menopause and post-partum depression are just a few examples of how a physical change can impact the emotions. Other reasons that I have treated women in the past have included anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adult), relationship difficulties, eating disorders, pre-and post-gastric surgery therapy and healing from trauma (childhood or adult).

MY APPROACH

My philosophy to providing therapy to women is holistic. This means that we would address the physical body, the emotional self, and the intellectual self and how they relate to what is going on with you now. If a client is spiritual, this too is a part of the approach and treatment. So, for instance, I may request that a client receives a thorough physical exam to rule out any physiological contribution to the issues at hand. I may also address nutrition, exercise, and other “body” aspects to emotional wellness. We may incorporate meditation into the treatment, and examine the ways that you are caring for yourself in body/mind/spirit.

My approach is also feminist in that I see my role with you as a consultant, an equal who will provide you with guidance and knowledge, but will also support and encourage the ability within you, the ability we all possess, to heal, grow and transform. I seek to empower women with tools that will lead to making healthy choices, speaking your truth, discovering and learning, loving yourself, and having satisfying relationships.

The tools that I use in therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy, insight-oriented psychodynamic therapy, and skills-based therapy.

At this time, I am seeing individuals, but it is my hope to offer therapy groups in the future as well. I would encourage women in the community or clients to let me know what they need and what they would like for me to facilitate for them while I am forming these groups.