Fibromyalgia in Women across the Lifespan: A Family Feminist Therapy Approach

ABSTRACT

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that largely impacts females of all ages, yet there is limited treatment and research available, particularly related to family therapy. Fibromyalgia impacts family functioning, communication, and connectedness. Feminist family therapy offers a lens with which to address the myriad of concerns that a family faces, in a manner that empowers and validates the lived experiences of the client with fibromyalgia and their family. Mental health counselors can incorporate developmental context alongside feminist family therapeutic approach to assist women and their families to develop coping strategies, advocacy skills, and life meaning given the potential limitations that coincide with fibromyalgia.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia
• feminist family therapy
• developmental approach
• mental health counseling