The topic of issues concerning women can be vast and difficult to put into words. These concerns can range from difficulties navigating multiple roles (motherhood, romantic relationships, career) to difficulties related to sexism, stereotyping, or gender-based violence. Within the current political climate, many individuals identifying as women struggle to find a sense of purpose and safety. Despite continuous evolution, there is still a foreboding sense that society has repeatedly failed to protect and elevate women. These failures can contribute to ongoing stress and dissatisfaction among women. Issues that concern those that identify as women are not limited to just gender. Women have many intersecting identities that make up their lived experience such as race, sexual orientation, or ability status. These intersecting social identities may add complexity to the gender-based experiences of women. These challenges associated with balancing social roles, institutional sexism, and the impact of intersecting identities contribute to women being more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns than men. 

Stress and sexism occuring on the interpersonal level may also significantly impact women. Stressors around relationships, careers, parenthood, etc. may lead women to feel that they are alone in their suffering. Yet if a woman who is overwhelmed by all of the stressors in her life displays outward expressions of distress, she may be perceived  as too emotional. Whereas men expressing vulnerable emotions may be seen as weak. This binary mindset further maintains unhealthy gender-based stereotypes and classifications. Here at Resilience, we hope to demystify and dismantle the gender binary so that people of all genders can feel free to express themselves fully and authentically. 

In addition to the various identities that women carry, institutions have failed to recognize their concerns as legitimate. Instead of uplifting and supporting women, institutions have historically responded to their concerns with dismissal and sexism. With the failure to have their voices heard, women may feel  distrust in institutions such as universities, hospitals, governments, etc.. Additionally, women may experience a lack of physical safety when navigating every-day settings and situations such as in the workplace, visiting bars and restaurants, engaging with dating sites, and using public transportation to name a few. This sense of vulnerability within institutions and in the physical world is valid. At Resilience, we hope to explore these feelings with you and generate self-advocacy so that you feel prepared to navigate these challenges with confidence and security.

HOW WE CAN HELP

 
At Resilience, we recognize that many individuals may identify outside the gender binary, yet still experience the difficulties listed within this topic. We strive to create a space where individuals across the spectrum of gender can share their experience and leave feeling supported, seen, and understood. We aim to break down the societal structures that cause our clients distress, including patriarchy and cissexism. We want to help you identify and create a space where you can show up as you are without judgment. From there, we hope that you are able to take what you have learned and apply that in your daily life. 

Common challenges 

• Difficulty expressing full range of emotions

• Minimizing feelings, emotions, uncomfortable experiences, etc. 

• Hopelessness

• Distrust in institutions (e.g., medical, educational, governmental)

• Low energy

• Loss of meaning or purpose

• Self-blame