Women’s Health: Gender and Pain

This book provides a feminist lens to the approach of mental health and medical care; it challenges the traditional notion of gender to expand beyond biology. The chapters in this volume also confront the status quo in the care of trans*, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals necessitating the inclusion of gender identity as part of the treatment approach and plan. Additionally, this book supports the utilization of systemic (couple/marriage and family therapy) and medical family therapists with a focus on advocacy, improved access, and a deeper understanding of the definition of gender around the globe. It also highlights specific pain conditions experienced by biological women and how the intersection of power imbalances and health stressors contributes to a lack of appropriate care and successful outcomes. The goal is to present and promote the unique benefits of incorporating feminist family therapy to the care of women.

This book is essential reading for students, professionals, educators, and policymakers in the fields of mental health, medicine, and gender studies. It is a vital resource for anyone committed to advancing gender equity in healthcare.

The chapters in this book were originally published in the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy.

Kristina S. Brown is Professor and the Chair of the Couple and Family Therapy at Adler University. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy and Editor of the new AAMFT Systemic Ethics Textbook. Dr Brown is a feminist qualitative researcher with a broad focus on the experiences of women across identities as represented in her scholarly work. She lives in her ＂empty nest＂ in the Chicago Loop with her husband of 30 years and their two polydactyl cats, Cameron and Ferris.