Feminist Counselling

Feminist counselling has evolved from a political movement of women resisting sexism and inequality. When modern, North American feminism appeared around the 1970s, it was primarily a movement of white, straight, able bodied, university-educated women. Over time it has struggled to include all women in the movement. The evolution of feminist counselling is like feminism, in that it has also been challenged to reflect and incorporate all women’s experiences into its practices.
As women started breaking the silence of the abuses they had survived—rape, childhood sexual abuse, ritual abuse, rape in marriage and battering—women's groups created spaces where they could share their stories and work toward social change. Feminist counsellors are guided by this herstory and so, the he feminist approach to counseling moves away from the traditional view that put the blame on women and places women at the centre of the counseling experience- that is, the issues women bring to
their counselors are likely the result of, or their response to, violent acts and their experiences in an oppressive society.
Some features of feminist counselling might include:

  • acknowledgement of power relations in society;
  • acknowledgement of the power imbalances between counsellors and clients— counsellors should not use their power inappropriately to oppress clients;
  • an anti-racist/anti-oppression analysis;
  • acknowledgement of women’s strengths;
  • encouragement of more equitable relationships with their clients—counsellors will be guides, with good information, in women’s healing journeys;
  • a diversity of women counsellors—from different backgrounds, races, abilities, classes, sexual orientations.

Feminist counselling uses techniques and approaches (e.g. grounding and empowerment strategies) to help clients identify the issues related to their crises and to help them deal with their issues and get through their crises. Feminist counselling is essentially client-centred in its approach. The goal is to provide clients with information, resources and support; to listen empathetically; and to help them develop more resources and support systems.