What's a Feminist Therapist to Do? Engaging the Relational Paradox in a Post-Feminist Culture

The advances that women have made in public and private venues are often attributed to the successive feminist movements. One of the ironies of the 21st century, however, is that women's accomplishments are sometimes cited as proof that feminist consciousness is passe. This stance generates profound confusion and disempowerment for young women whose experience of embedded misogyny is contradicted by distortions of post-feminist discourse, one outcome of which is disconnection from socio-political context. This article illustrates the use Relational-Cultural therapy as a feminist approach that fosters healing and growth by facilitating both personal and collective empowerment.