Feminism and Group Psychotherapy: An Ethical Responsibility

Abstract

In response to Martin Lakin's (1991) IJGP article, "Some Ethical Issues in Feminist-Oriented Therapy Groups for Women," this article examines recent developments in feminist theory and proposes that a feminist perspective is both ethical and can make significant contributions to the practice of group psychotherapy. The overview of feminist theory focuses on (1) the importance of the social context, (2) contributions and challenges to psychoanalytic and developmental theory, (3) attention to power relations, (4) the connection between the personal and political, and (5) recognition and integration of diversity and difference. Clinical examples illustrate ways in which male and female group therapists can take a feminist perspective and become "ethical advocates."

An integrated model for adolescent inpatient group therapy

“…A process of consciousness‐raising is valued as a means to group and social change. A feminist therapist assists group members to understand personal changes from the perspective of society, culture, and context (Lazerson 1992). Feminist therapy facilitates understanding the effects of power and ways to utilize relations of power positively in one's life (Bender & Ewashen 2000).…”

Discussion

“…In a debate presented recently in the group psychotherapy literature, Martin Lakin (1991Lakin ( , 1992 and Judith Lazerson (1992) discuss the ethical issues involved in feminist psychotherapy groups. Lakin (1991) raises an ethical concern about the nature of feminist-oriented therapeutic groups for women.…”

“…Lazerson's (1992) main focus, however, seems to be on the power differences demonstrated by men and women and that "group psychotherapy theory thus far has little to offer regarding power relations and its interaction with gender." One might argue that this would be better dealt with, ultimately, in a mixed gender psychotherapy context.…”

Morality in group and family therapies: Multiperson therapies and the 1992 ethics code.

“…There is the added urgency of acknowledging the increasingly evident readiness of therapists to use their practice of group therapy, family therapy, or both to foster gender relationship changes or other social changes that they personally deem important. It must be borne in mind, as I noted, that there are other therapists who hew to quite traditional values as anchors for mental health (see Bergin, 1985; Lakin, 1991b, 1992; Lazerson, 1992).…”