Women, Feminism and Family Therapy

Book excerpt: Women, Feminism and Family Therapy encourages sensitivity to feminist perspectives and challenges many traditional notions held by therapists, clients, and society. One of the few guides that takes into account feminist ideals and the changing status of women in society, this provocative new book explores a feminist approach to theory, clinical applications, training, and supervision in family therapy. Topics in this exciting and though-provoking book include women in alcoholic families, women and abuse in the family context, lesbian daughters and mothers, and women and eating disorders. Editor Lois Braverman and the other expert contributors are practicing psychotherapists who have struggled with the problems of integrating a feminist perspective with the practice of family therapy. Their discussions--both theoretical and practical in scope--provide professionals with actual treament interventions, as well as a frank discussion of theoretical dilemmas.