Female Therapists in 20056
Aisha Marie Martin
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LCSW-C, MSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Washington, DC 20056
I believe everyone has the ability to learn new ways to cope and view their personal situation differently. Therapy is a place where you can access your most authentic self and allow the therapeutic process to guide healing. Through creating a safe, comfortable and trusting environment clients will be able to share honestly and receive genuine feedback. My approach is supportive and client centered. You are the expert of your past and together we will explore patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors to establish improved ways of being and building relationships with others to help shape your future.
I believe everyone has the ability to learn new ways to cope and view their personal situation differently. Therapy is a place where you can access your most authentic self and allow the therapeutic process to guide healing. Through creating a safe, comfortable and trusting environment clients will be able to share honestly and receive genuine feedback. My approach is supportive and client centered. You are the expert of your past and together we will explore patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors to establish improved ways of being and building relationships with others to help shape your future.
Female Therapists
Does it matter what gender my therapist is?
In general, this is not an important factor, as there is no relationship between a therapist’s gender and their efficacy. Some clients, however, prefer to see therapists of a particular gender, whether due to their own past experiences with men and women, or ingrained beliefs about how people of different genders think and behave. Exploring the roots of such preferences and considering what one wants to address in therapy can help someone determine whether their therapist’s gender truly matters to them.
Should I see a female therapist?
Many people—not just women—prefer to see a female therapist, either because they believe that a woman will be able to relate to their specific challenges (for example, sexism in the workplace) or because they imagine feeling more comfortable disclosing sensitive information to a woman. Such beliefs may not turn out to be accurate, however, and adhering too rigidly to a gender preference can at times hinder a client from finding the best therapeutic match.
Do therapists get specific training to help with women’s concerns?
Therapists are trained to provide care to clients of any gender. However, some therapists—both men and women—may pursue additional training in feminist therapy, gender-specific issues, or women’s mental health. Female clients may wish to ask prospective therapists whether they have received specific training in the client’s primary area(s) of concern, or whether they have worked extensively with women on issues similar to their own.
How can I inquire about a therapist’s experience in treating women?
It’s OK—even encouraged!—to ask a therapist directly whether and how often they have treated women in the past, or whether they have treated women dealing with the client’s most prominent concern(s). Competent therapists will be happy to share their educational background, preferred treatment modalities, and prior client experience to help an individual find the therapist best suited to their needs.