Feminist therapeutic work in Turkey: Addressing a vital need

Abstract

Feminist psychology has a small but fundamental presence in Turkey, where a deep-rooted socio-cultural and political patriarchy exacerbates gender-based violence and femicides. This qualitative study draws on four feminist clinical psychologists working or volunteering at the Purple Roof Women's Shelter Foundation in Istanbul, Turkey. It reports on why they consider feminist-informed psychological work significant, how they implement feminist principles in their work, in what ways they view feminist work as compatible or incompatible with mainstream approaches, and how feminist principles guide their clinical work. A patriarchal constellation affects women's mental health, but feminist informed psychoanalytically oriented work can counteract disempowering emotions and gender norms. The study indicates that feminist psychologists implement feminist therapy even when it clashes with mainstream approaches, devise creative initiatives to stand against state patriarchy, and achieve solidarity with their clients in ways that transcend the therapy room.