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Both contextual and feminist therapy have not been given the attention they deserve in the field of MFT. We believe that not only do these approaches have undiscovered merit but also, when integrated, they provide a useful framework for conducting therapy that addresses marginalized voices and raises social consciousness. In this article, we "layer" feminist theory onto contextual therapy and argue that the constructs of contextual therapy may relate well to many women's experiences in families. We then illustrate our combined feminist-contextual therapy with two case examples. This integration broadens the scope and sensitivity of contextual therapy to address issues of gender.
Fam Proc 39:51-66, 2000
AS the family therapy field moves toward a post-positivist framework for viewing families and conducting therapy, scholars continue to develop new theories to meet the rising challenges. In particular, more theorists are making efforts to address oppression, marginalized groups, and morality (see Doherty, 1995; Dolan-Del Vecchio, 1998; McGoIdrick, 1998; McGoldrick, Almeida, Garcia Preto, et al., 1999; Tamases & Waldegrave, 1993). Theories such as narrative therapy, feminist-informed therapy, and constructivist approaches attempt to ground themselves in the principles of relational reality and social consciousness. However, master therapists are now critiquing these same theories on the grounds that they are not true, systemic, family therapies (see debate in literature: Anderson, 1999; Combs & Freedman, 1998; Minuchin, 1998, 1999; Schwartz, 1999; Sluzki, 1998; Tomm, 1998).
One approach that has consistently addressed the issues of morality, justice, and relational reality, while at the same time maintaining a systemic, transgenerational, family-oriented focus, is contextual therapy. Yet, contextual therapy has for the most part been neglected in family therapy literature with the exception of Hargrave and colleagues' (1990, 1991, 1994, 1997) works on relational ethics, forgiveness, and the elderly. We believe that not only does contextual therapy have merit in the family therapy field in general, but also in the realm of social constructionist and feminist theories. The intent of our article is to articulate the ways in which contextual therapy and feminist family therapy intersect and enhance each other, and to provide practical guidance to therapists for "layering" feminism onto contextual therapy. Our discussion of feminist therapy is integrated throughout this article, but first we briefly summarize our feminist lens to provide readers...