Feminist therapy with people who self-inflict violence.
In this article, the authors describe how a feminist therapist approaches work with clients who practice self-inflicted violence (SIV). They begin by discussing feminist therapy, with its focus on empowerment of clients and the use of noncoercive strategies. The feminist perspective on understanding SIV behaviors is described, with SIV being defined as a coping strategy used by survivors of complex trauma as a means of self-care. Feminist therapy is illustrated with a case example of a woman who used SIV, and the challenges to a therapist wishing to promote client safety while empowering the client. Practice recommendations and cautions are advanced.
Brown
Laura S
LS
Fremont Community Therapy Project, Seattle, WA 98107, USA. lsbrownphd@cs.com
Bryan
Tracy C
TC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D019513:Feminism; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology; D012449:Safety; D012648:Self Care; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology