Photo of Laurie Knight Counselling Services LLC, Unlicensed Psychotherapist in 80021, CO
Laurie Knight Counselling Services LLC
Unlicensed Psychotherapist, BA, NLC
Verified Verified
Westminster, CO 80021
You may feel trapped in a violent and/or unhealthy relationship or traumatic memories of the past. Your may be grieving a loss and what might have been. You may feel stagnant and that your life is out of balance. Possibly you are a family member of an offender and you don't understand the "system" and how to help while taking care of yourself. Likely you are feeling isolated and alone. Overwhelming emotions may be paralyzing you, making it hard to move forward. You will find a safe place with me to move through and beyond this difficult time. You do not have to struggle alone.
You may feel trapped in a violent and/or unhealthy relationship or traumatic memories of the past. Your may be grieving a loss and what might have been. You may feel stagnant and that your life is out of balance. Possibly you are a family member of an offender and you don't understand the "system" and how to help while taking care of yourself. Likely you are feeling isolated and alone. Overwhelming emotions may be paralyzing you, making it hard to move forward. You will find a safe place with me to move through and beyond this difficult time. You do not have to struggle alone.
(303) 997-1417 View (303) 997-1417

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.