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1. The personal is political. Women are systematically oppressed in your society. Therefore, our personal issues are political issues.
2. Symptoms, such as depression or alcoholism are reinterpreted by feminist counsellors as coping strategies/mechanisms or tactics for survival. Coping strategies are honoured.
3. Feminist counsellors avoid victim blaming.
4. The world is named or seen from the survivor's point of view. The "client" is believed and her feelings are validated.
5. There is a recognition and celebration of women's strengths. Such skills as nurturance have not been valued by society or ourselves.
6. Feminist counsellors acknowledge that women are oppressed in different ways. Women can and do oppress other women. Feminist counsellors need to be aware of their own personal privileges and place in society so as not to hurt their "clients".
7. Feminist counsellors recognize the need to educate themselves thoroughly.
8. Feminist counsellors are committed to sharing power with their clients to make the relationship more equal.
9. The primary objective is to empower the "client".
10. Self-disclosure is an important aspect of therapy. The old notion of "us"(counsellors) and "them" (clients) is discarded. An emphasis is placed on the common experience of women in society.
11. Language is made accessible. That is to say, feminist counsellors are aware that not all women have had the privilege of education and so may be illiterate or at risk to misunderstand what is being said.
12. Feminist counsellors explain what they know to their "clients". "Clients" are well informed of the counsellor's intentions and techniques.
13. Feminist counsellors try to make therapy available to all "clients" regardless of their race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, ability, class, etc.
