how is therapy for women or female identified-folks different?
While our team of therapists are trained experts in several areas of therapy, at Wild Hope treating those identifying as female is our bread and butter.
Women's mental health rates have risen over the last few decades. According to recent statistics, more than 40 percent of women experience some form of depression or anxiety at least once in their life, with the figures higher for women under 35. Factors attributed to these rates include social media, poor work-life balance, and gender inequality. Additionally, BIPOC women are even more likely to develop depression or anxiety as a result of additional systemic oppression and trauma not experienced by their white counterparts.
At Wild Hope, we believe deeply in understanding how the intersection of gender and societal systems impact an individual’s mental health and wellbeing. All of our clinicians specialize in the treatment of women’s behavioral health across the lifespan and this is a crucial element of our work.
But what does that really mean? It means we acknowledge that the lived experiences of people who identify as women or female are certainly not all the same. Gender is one part of who we are that contributes to our individual intersectional identities just as our race, religion, family of origin, interests and passions.
That said, there are some throughlines that help us to frame the work we do with female-identified clients including offering a niche perinatal program staffed with trained clinicians passionate about everything from fertility through life postpartum.
common concerns for women + female-identified folks
Addressing the causes and symptoms of concerns such as anxiety and depression in therapy can increase your personal capacity and coping skills, restoring balance to your life. Therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental space where deep reflection can occur, allowing clients to recognize patterns contributing to their distress and cultivate healthier perspectives.
Life Transitions
Yes, it feels like a big category, and it is. But it also refers to a specific time in your life when you are facing an ongoing change. Perhaps you are exploring a new career, graduating college, getting married or beginning to plan to have children, becoming an empty nester or even moving. Change can be stressful for anyone, and having support through that transition can help you to manage that stress in ways that support you and whatever transition lies ahead.
more about life transitions…
Perinatal Health: Pregnancy, Postpartum and Parenting
Wild Hope’s Perinatal Program is a specially trained team of clinicians prepared to support the unique needs of clients who are wanting to become pregnant, pregnant, postpartum, or parenting young children. We also support loss and grief. This life transition is a big one! And we know that engaging with a therapist to manage your mental health can not only benefit our clients, but their whole families.
Members of our perinatal clinical team have completed Postpartum Support International’s (PSI) introductory training for perinatal providers and have achieved or are working towards their Perinatal Mental Health Certificate (PMH-C) awarded through PSI. The PMH-C designation indicates that a therapist has
Completed both an introductory and advanced training course in perinatal mental health
Worked with the perinatal population for a minimum of two years
Applied to PSI for candidacy
Passed the PMH-C credentialing exam
more about perinatal mental health…
Body Image, Diet Culture, and Eating Disorders
Several of our therapists specialize in supporting clients with negative body image, disordered eating and low self-esteem. We see food as morally neutral and understand the role that diet culture plays in our relationship with our bodies and food. Counseling can help you explore your relationship to your body and food in a caring and supportive environment. We also have therapists that are experienced in treating eating disorders and we will provide a consultation to see if our level of expertise and care is appropriate for where you are in your treatment journey.
more about eating disorders…
Relationships
When individuals are stressed or concerned about relationships in their life, counseling can provide support to explore and improve upon your social connections. Whether you are concerned about friendships, romantic relationships, working relationships or relationships with family members, we can help you observe patterns in your behavior, identify goals and guide you towards change.
For many of us, our communication skills developed in early childhood and how we were raised influences the ways in which we relate to others. Traumatic experiences can also influence how we connect and communicate with others. Through a thoughtful, trauma-informed lens, our therapists can help you uncover how these experiences influence your interpersonal relationships, explore your attachment style and develop skills to meet your goals.
Self-Esteem
Social media and our broader American culture have a great impact on women’s self-esteem. Constantly comparing ourselves to friends, influencers and celebrities can make it difficult to tell what’s real from what’s fake. For women and moms in particular, we are bombarded with constant images of what an ideal woman looks like: what kind of house she has, her decor style, how she dresses her kids, what she feeds them, what projects she’s doing, how successful she is. It is nearly impossible to not compare ourselves to others. Even if we delete all the apps, there’s still a little voice in our head saying we’re not enough.
Wild Hope therapists create a safe space to challenge and reframe these thoughts that contribute to low self-esteem. Our therapists can help you to cultivate self-compassion and identify your true values and goals. When we feel most authentically ourselves, the comparison game has less impact on one’s self confidence - maybe we even decide not to play.
Confidence is derived from an “internal locus of control” or the feeling that you have agency over your own life and are less influenced by the opinions of others. How confident you feel may change throughout your life for a variety of reasons: trauma, systemic oppression, bullying, toxic relationships, invalidating relationships and, as mentioned, broader American culture. In therapy, we work to identify what has impacted your self-concept and help you to re-write your narrative.
more about self-esteem…
Interpersonal Trauma
Women, girls and female-identifying individuals are more likely than cisgender males to experience interpersonal trauma. Domestic violence, sexual assault, and emotional abuse are all experiences that women encounter at higher rates, and if experienced can negatively impact one’s mental health–even leading to symptoms of complex posttraumatic stress disorder. It is one thing to be aware of these specific types of trauma and understand the systemic contexts in which they occur. But therapists specialized in working with women who experience trauma are also adept in how to approach these experiences effectively to empower and support clients in their healing journey.
Clients who work with Wild Hope therapists can expect to unpack their traumatic experiences in a safe environment without judgment. We may be the first person a woman shares her story with; we feel honored to hold that space and respect how challenging this can feel – we’re with you. We appreciate the nuance of a situation, how complex it can be to leave, that you never thought this could happen to you, how you felt you were protecting others, and there can be a lot of shame and guilt wrapped around a situation that you had little control over. We want to walk alongside you as you explore the experience, challenging and reframing the narrative along the way, working towards whatever peace or acceptance may look like for you.
more about trauma…
Grief
Grief is a universal experience we all go through, and often can impact us in ways other than losing a loved one. We can experience grief during changes in relationships, careers, and major life decisions that take place in our lives. Within the context of loss you are experiencing, we hope to create a safe space to sit with these difficult, and sometimes painful emotions, in a way that feels manageable to begin the healing process. Wild Hope therapists create a safe therapeutic setting, with the understanding that healing has no timeline, to allow empowerment through your healing journey.
more about grief…
Indigenous Approach
An Indigenous Approach to therapy, as practiced by Madison Eagle, LSW, lends Indigenous healing practices and cultural ideologies into therapy practice. The Indigenous perspective is an interdependent and culturally inclusive model, helping to increase the individualization of treatment. This approach supports the healing and resiliency of individuals, families and communities by integrating Indigenous values, cultures, and traditions; and acknowledges historical, intergenerational, and ongoing trauma. This approach is conducted through a decolonization lens, providing space for processing the effects of systemic and institutional oppression on communities of color and all marginalized identities.
more about an indigenous approach…
Women of Color
Women of color face disproportionate challenges when it comes to mental health. Intersectionality, which considers the interconnected nature of our identities, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, helps to frame the complex experiences of WOC in our culture. WOC are also faced with myriad systemic issues, including racism, sexism, and economic inequality, that contribute to increased stressors and limited access to resources for mental health support.. Cultural stigma and a lack of culturally competent mental health services can further exacerbate the problem, discouraging WOC from seeking help. As a practice that focuses on trauma, we also recognize that historical and intergenerational trauma have lasting effects on mental well-being–which can often be pathologized by an uninformed clinician. Addressing these disparities requires a comprehensive approach that considers the intersectional experiences of WOC, tackles systemic inequalities, and promotes inclusive and accessible mental health care.
When connecting our clients with a clinician at Wild Hope, we listen to the needs and preferences YOU express to connect you with the provider that can best meet your needs. Working with a therapist who shares a similar cultural background can help to eliminate communication barriers and extra emotional labor on the part of the client, fostering more meaningful work and a deeper connection based on a shared experience. For white therapists, practicing cultural humility, confronting their own biases, and actively seeking education and training is essential for cultivating a safe and validating space where cultural nuances are recognized and respected. When we match our clients with one of our therapists, our aim is to facilitate effective communication, deep connection and therapeutic work that affirms your unique lived experiences.
mental health diagnosis we support
We believe everyone is more than their diagnosis. A diagnosis is something we experience, it may be a result of our biology (how our brains work), our experiences (trauma), or our capacities and coping skills (ability to manage stress). We use the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – think a giant purple book) to inform our assessments and evidenced based interventions, as well as a client’s goals, to guide us in treatment plans to address the following diagnoses. These are just some of the issues we are trained to address, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for here, please reach out and we can talk more.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
MDD is a sometimes disabling condition characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed. Other symptoms may include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, changes in appetite, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and thoughts of death. In women, depression can often go overlooked when the depressed person is still perceived to be “high functioning” in multiple roles (as a mother, wife, etc.). Depression in women can sometimes come out as irritability or rage, and due to our societal conceptions of women and anger, this can often keep them from getting the compassion and help that they truly need.
more about depression…
Anxiety Disorders
These include disorders like panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, and phobias. Symptoms vary but can include excessive worry, difficulty concentrating, restlessness or irritability, physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate or sweating, and avoidance of certain situations or items. Anxiety is exacerbated during pregnancy and parenthood and, like depression, can go overlooked when the person experiencing the anxiety otherwise appears to be functioning to those around them.
more about anxiety…
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Perinatal mental health (sometimes referred to as maternal mental health) encompasses pregnancy through the first 12 months postpartum. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders include postpartum anxiety disorder, postpartum depression, perinatal OCD, postpartum psychosis, and birth trauma.
Bipolar Disorder
Shifting moods and intense emotions are often stigmatized in women. Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme shifts in mood that can last for days to months, but can also be highly misunderstood without a specialized approach – especially in women. Symptoms include periods of both depression and mania (marked by feeling energetic, irritable, or impulsive), as well as hypomania and anxiety. A therapist can help you to increase distress tolerance, recognize signs of mood swings, and address the underlying issues that may be exacerbating your moods.
Adjustment Disorders
This is a reaction to stressful events (such as a death or job loss) and can include symptoms such as depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, difficulty concentrating, eating disturbances, or sleeping problems. Adjustment disorders often accompany big life transitions, and can intersect with many cultural experiences specific to women or women of color as they navigate their careers, relationships, and life decisions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by a traumatic event such as combat, natural disasters, sexual assault, or abuse. Symptoms include intrusive memories of the event, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of specific people or places that remind them of the trauma, and emotional numbness or detachment from others.
more about trauma…
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
C-PTSD is similar to PTSD but occurs after prolonged exposure to an intensely traumatic event such as ongoing abuse or neglect. Symptoms can include low self-esteem, emotional numbness, shame, guilt, dissociation, and self-harm.
treatment approaches
At Wild Hope, each of our therapists has had extensive training in their area of specialty and has identified the approaches they pull from to create their own unique therapeutic style. There are many types of therapy that women find helpful. Some of the therapeutic approaches practiced by Wild Hope therapists are:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Also known as insight-oriented therapy, this type of talk therapy focuses on exploring past experiences, bringing better understanding to the underlying causes of her current issues.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT combines some aspects of CBT with mindfulness, acceptance, and reality-based strategies to increase emotions regulation and improve interpersonal efficacy. It focuses on teaching practical coping skills for dealing with difficult situations.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT provides skills to experience emotions through a non-judgemental perspective as opposed to what most of us do, which is to fight against our negative emotions or push them away. Further, it encourages the deep exploration of personal values. These values are then used to make concrete choices, or a commitment to action, with the goal of increasing a sense of fulfillment instead of perfection.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT works by addressing interpersonal issues that may be triggering emotional distress. These issues may include communication patterns, boundaries, and expectations in their relationships with family members, friends, colleagues, or romantic partners. A therapist provides education on healthy relationships, communication skills, and boundary setting.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of talk therapy that begins with identifying and challenging maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors contributing to emotional distress. Cognitive restructuring and copings thoughts are used to modify thought patterns which, over time, improves emotional reactions to stressful situations.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movement, tapping, etc.) to support non-verbal processing of traumatic experiences. EMDR does not “erase” an upsetting memory, but helps to neutralize the somatic experience and beliefs attached to the memory, so that it becomes less distressing and disruptive to daily life. EMDR can be done on its own, or concurrently with talk therapy.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
MBCT combines mindfulness meditation techniques with cognitive therapy to bring awareness and acceptance to thoughts and feelings. Similar to CBT or DBT, it also includes skill-building to reinforce emotion regulation in difficult or stressful situations.
Whatever distress or concern you are experiencing, our administrative team will connect you with the therapist who can provide the style of therapy that fits your needs most accurately. Our intake and assessment process is designed to minimize anxiety and help you to adjust to therapy at a pace that is suited to you. Each of our therapists is skilled in determining if they can provide the services that you uniquely need through your initial assessment. If something isn’t quite right, we can find another therapist that will be able to help.
Our team is determined to provide high-quality support not just to women, but to everyone who inquires about our services. Our goal is to help all of our clients feel like their most authentic selves.