Women's Health

Given that we live in a heterosexist patriarchy, the 'role' of women in our culture is primarily defined in terms of men. More specifically, how women can be of use to men. My understanding of some of the challenges to women's psychological health is that they include, to some degree, the struggle to combat the internalisation of this value system; deeply ingrained in the psyche since birth, and constantly encountered and reinforced in daily living. Seeking unconditional love, as all children do, women typically learn to translate this need into approval-seeking behaviour, including the suppression of the anger response (men into seeking power over others). Healing occurs when self-approval is achieved, including all aspects of being. Becoming aware of, then working to change approval-seeking behaviour, is a process of self-empowerment leading a person to realise their entitlement to take their full unapologetic place in the world.

Lesbian, straight or bisexual, my experience of working with women is that, in the absence of any sexual undertones in the therapeutic dynamic, it becomes possible to explore and repair damage to the self-concept resulting from the bombardment of messages from men about being 'less than'. More specifically, for women who have been physically, psychologically and emotionally abused by heterosexual men; the possibility for healing presented by working with a gay male therapist offers support in the areas of transference and projection.

Many women have experienced further abuse at the hands of the institutionalised, heterosexist male-dominated mental health system (a good source for documentation of this is Phyllis Chesler's "Women and Madness"). Often regarded and dismissed as being "an hysterical woman", women seeking support in the Health care system may be further victimised.

As a pro-feminist man I am committed to working in partnership with women who choose to further self-exploration.