Feminist and Systemic Therapy Feminist therapy is generally relatively short-term therapy aimed
at both individual and social change. The major goal is to replace the current patriarchal system with feminist consciousness and thus create a society that values equality in relationships,that stresses interdependence rather than dependence, and that encourages women to define themselves rather than being defined by societal demands.
Feminist therapists are committed to actively breaking down the hierarchy of power in the therapeutic relationship through the use of various interventions. Some of these strategies are unique to feminist therapy, such as gender-role analysis and intervention, power analysis and intervention, assuming a stance of advocate in challenging conventional attitudes toward appropriate roles for women, and encouraging clients to take social action. Therapists with a feminist orientation understand how important it is to become aware of typical gender-role messages clients have been socialized with, and they are skilled in helping clients identify and challenge these messages.