Therapy with Families in Poverty

Issues of economic marginalization have been largely neglected in training of family therapists. However, attention to the effects of economic instability on family and individual well-being is important in preparing clinicians to address the needs and goals of families in poverty. This paper has been designed as an attempt to apply principles of feminist family therapy to therapeutic work with low-income families. Specifically, 7 principles commonly included in the practice of feminist family therapy are given special consideration. Practical applications of each principle are discussed for developing a model of class-conscious therapy. It is argued that feminist family therapy can serve as a framework for providing effective and respectful therapy to families in poverty.