Women’s History Month: Famous Women in the Mental Health World

Written by Kelsey Someliana-Lauer, Therapy Practice Solutions Virtual Assistant

Women's History Month was founded in 1987 after the National Women's History Project petitioned for its establishment. The month-long celebration aims to recognize and honor the contributions and achievements of women throughout history. Its roots trace back to International Women's Day, which has been observed since the early 1900s.

Women's History Month seeks to raise awareness about the often overlooked roles women have played in shaping societies worldwide. Through education and reflection, it fosters a deeper understanding of gender equality and inspires future generations to continue the fight for women's rights and empowerment.

Speaking of overlooked roles - women have made countless contributions to the mental health world, and yet most of our major counseling theories were made by men, for men. For example, CBT, psychoanalysis, REBT, PCT, and Gestalt therapy - some of our earliest counseling modalities - all have male founders.

So, in honor of Women’s History Month, the pros at Therapy Practice Solutions are here to recognize the role women have had across mental health history. Read on for some of our favorite female founders!

Women in Mental Health #1: Anna Freud

As the daughter of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud made significant contributions to the field of psychoanalysis. She specialized in child psychoanalysis and developed theories on defense mechanisms and the ego. Her work emphasized the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping personality and laid the groundwork for the understanding and treatment of various psychological disorders in children.

Today, Anna Freud's understanding of defense mechanisms remains foundational in psychotherapy, guiding clinicians in recognizing and addressing unconscious psychological defenses in clients. Her expertise in child psychoanalysis continues to shape therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents, emphasizing the significance of early experiences in shaping personality and behavior.

Women in Mental Health #2: Karen Horney

Horney was a pioneering psychoanalyst who challenged Freudian theory with her own perspectives on neurosis and personality development. She proposed that cultural and societal factors, rather than just biological instincts, significantly influence human behavior. Horney's concept of "womb envy" countered Freud's notion of "penis envy," highlighting the societal pressures and power dynamics that shape gender identity and psychological well-being.

In contemporary therapy, Karen Horney's recognition of the influence of sociocultural factors on human behavior prompts therapists to consider broader contextual factors in understanding clients' struggles and shaping treatment approaches. Her emphasis on challenging traditional psychoanalytic theories encourages therapists to adopt a more flexible and culturally sensitive approach to therapy, empowering clients to explore and navigate their unique experiences.

Women in Mental Health #3: Mary Ainsworth

Ainsworth was a developmental psychologist best known for her research on attachment theory. Through her "Strange Situation" experiment, she identified different attachment styles between infants and their caregivers, such as secure, anxious-ambivalent, and avoidant attachments. Ainsworth's work revolutionized our understanding of early childhood relationships and laid the foundation for interventions aimed at promoting healthy attachment bonds and psychological well-being throughout the lifespan.

Today, Mary Ainsworth's research on attachment theory informs therapeutic interventions, highlighting the importance of secure attachment bonds in promoting emotional well-being and relational health across the lifespan. Therapists utilize Ainsworth's concept of attachment styles to tailor interventions that address clients' attachment-related difficulties, fostering greater self-awareness and healthier interpersonal connections.

We hope this post highlighted some of the women founders of modern psychology! At Therapy Practice Solutions, we know how important it is for you to use your time and energy in ensuring high quality care for your clients. If you’d like to offload tasks to make time for providing great care to your clients, reach out to us today. The pros at Therapy Practice Solutions would love to help you help others. We look forward to hearing from you!