Healing the Wounds of Domestic Abuse

Abstract

Feminist therapy is a powerful means of helping abused women because of its focus on systemic sources of oppression and hegemony. These forms of oppression are intimately linked to a woman's cultural and socioeconomic background and affect the way she experiences domestic abuse. Although researchers have shown that feminist therapy can be an effective approach for counseling abused women, it is criticized here for failing to acknowledge the diversity among immigrant and racially visible women who have been abused. The author will examine both the effectiveness of feminist therapy and its limitations when counseling immigrant and racially visible women who have been abused. The author will also describe the reality of domestic violence among these women and how their needs differ from women in the dominant culture. Strategies for a more inclusive form of feminist therapy will also be offered as alternatives to existing modes of practice and assessment.