Subversive Dialogues: Theory In Feminist Therapy [Hardcover]

Laura S. Brown (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0465083226 | ISBN-13: 978-0465083220 | Publication Date: October 7, 1994 | Edition: First Edition

Feminist therapy is more than a prescription of technique; it is a unique philosophy of psychotherapy. While much has been written on feminism and therapy, this bold book breaks new ground by making explicit and coherent the theoretical underpinnings of feminist therapy.Building on the revolutionary work of feminist scholars who have described how women employ strategies of knowing the world in a manner distinct from men, Laura S. Brown, noted for her pioneering work in the field of ethics and boundaries, shows how these insights should reshape the very nature of the therapeutic encounter. Therapy must be understood as an opportunity to help clients see the relationships between their behavior and the patriarchal society in which we are all embedded. Viewed in this light, feminist therapy affords both practitioner and client a chance to subvert the system in which women’s lives have been devalued.With meticulous care, the author examines key features of the therapeutic encounter with a feminist lens: the power of the therapist; assessment and diagnosis; the nature of change; the ethics of practice; and differences in race, class, and sexual identity. She constructs a vision of therapy that helps the client develop a sense of entitlement to satisfying and equal relationships outside the therapist’s office. She proposes that clients need help finding their “mother tongue” and retelling their story in a language freed from the patriarchal notions that have shaped and limited their experience. Her vision of therapy considers the dilemmas faced by feminist therapists who must work within a mental health system that is inherently sexist and use its flawed or problematic tools for testing and treatment.This powerful vision of feminist therapy is grounded throughout with case examples that illustrate how a dialogue between therapist and client can be healing, subversive, and transformative all at once.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laura S. Brown, PH.D., is Clinical Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington and is in full-time private practice in Seattle. She is co-editor, with Maria P. P. Root of Diversity and Complexity in Feminist Therapy and, with Mary Ballou, of Personality and Psychopathology.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; First Edition edition (October 7, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465083226
• ISBN-13: 978-0465083220
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #420,912 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Praise for Subversive Dialogues!, December 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Subversive Dialogues: Theory In Feminist Therapy (Hardcover)

Subversive Dialogues is not only the best source on feminist therapeutic theory that I have read, but one of the best books written about therapeutic theory, period. Brown was able to approach a very broad subject, feminist therapy, succinctly and eloquently. It is often very difficult to find a book that delves into therapeutic theory, while remaining clinically applicable to practice. Brown does this in Subversive Dialogues, while not shying away from discussing difficult subjects like patriarchy, a topic that even many feminist therapists avoid directly addressing. As a therapist myself, I encourage all therapists, not just feminist therapists, to read this book. I especially want to bring people's attention to Brown's chapter on feminism and ethics. This chapter has a great deal to offer to any discussion of therapy ethics. I believe that every therapist who reads this book, feminist or not, can gain something from it that is useful for their practice.