Dr. Pompeo-Fargnoli’s article revolves around the Ecofeminist Therapy, an approach which integrates the grounding theories of feminism and ecopsychology. Ecofeminist theory is based on the premise that women and the environment are both degraded by the toxic patriarchal dominant culture. This article helps to frame how professionals can utilize this theory with diverse client populations.
Individuals strive to identify themselves within their environmental context. A defining characteristic of ecopsychology is that our separation from nature/environment manifests in individuals as psychological disorders and human suffering (Pompeo, 2018). This ecopsychology component is the first pillar in the foundation of Ecofeminist Theory. The second pillar is feminism, which explores the internal work for social change, and the various types of oppression that clients face (Pompeo-Fargnoli, 2017).
Dr. Pompeo-Fargnoli article examines a case study in which a young student was able to benefit immensely from an Ecofeminist approach to counseling. The client was able to connect the direct impact society had on her manifestation of invalid feelings surrounding being a women. The client was also able to utilize nature as a tool to create a “better awareness and understanding of her own emotional journey” (Pompeo, 2018). In conclusion, this article serves as a solid foundation of the emergence of Ecofeminist Theory, and provides a clear example of how the theory can be implemented into successful practice.
Marina Melillo
Graduate Assistant
Masters of Education, School Counseling
Pompeo-Fargnoli, A. (2017). Women and relationships. In Schwarz, J. (Ed.), Counseling women across the lifespan: Empowerment, advocacy, and intervention. New York, NY: Springer Publishing
Pompeo-Fargnoli, Alyson (2018). Ecofeminist Therapy: From Theory to Practice. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 19(6), 1-16.
To DaVinci, From Imhotep 