Rooted in Respect:
A Feminist Lens on Dating & Relationships
Join women’s therapist, Ferny Barceló, for an empowering 8-week journey to explore dating and relationships through a feminist lens. If you’re seeking relationships that feel more equitable, and that prioritizes teamwork rather than traditional gender roles, or want to enter the dating scene clear on what you value and need in a partnership, this space is for you.
After over a decade of working with women, one of the most common complaints I hear is relationships where partners aren’t doing enough of the leg work — be that in dating, in the home, or (and most especially) emotionally. Women are often left feeling like a parent within the relationship, having to constantly “teach” their partners how to show up in a way that is actually supportive of their needs. This exhausting cycle can leave you feeling resentful, and both mentally and emotionally exhausted.
Together, we’ll work on unpacking our own patriarchal societal conditioning, which often prevents us from more actively speaking our needs and upholding important boundaries. We will practice healthy communication, and learn how to align your relationships with your values. Through lecture, open discussions, group work, and journaling, you’ll gain the tools to build authentic, loving connections that prioritize equity, partnership, and healthy emotional balance.
What we’ll explore…
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✺ WEEK 1
Introduction and Setting Intentions
Explore personal values and goals related to dating and relationships, and get to know other women who will support you along this journey.
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✺ WEEK 2
Unpacking Social Conditioning
Discuss societal expectations of women in dating. Identify how internalized messages shape relationship choices.
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✺ WEEK 3
Self-Worth and Boundaries
Explore self-esteem in the context of relationships. Practice setting and maintaining boundaries.
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✺ WEEK 4
Healthy Communication
Learn and practice assertive communication. Discuss emotional needs and expressing them effectively.
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✺ WEEK 5
Red Flags and Green Flags
Identify warning signs of unhealthy relationships and people. Highlight traits of safe, supportive partnerships.
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✺ WEEK 6
Healing from Past Relationships
Address emotional wounds from breakups or toxic relationships. Introduce self-compassion and forgiveness practices.
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✺ WEEK 7
Feminist Dating Practices
Discuss ways to date in alignment with feminist values. Strategies for rejecting oppressive norms in relationships.
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✺ WEEK 8
Integration and Moving Forward
Reflect on the journey and share personal insights. Create a personal action plan for future relationships.
What you can look to gain from this group…
1. How to Reclaim Your Agency
Empowerment to make choices based on their values, not societal pressures.
Confidence to assert their needs and desires without guilt or fear of judgment.
2. How to Set Healthy Boundaries
Skills to set and maintain boundaries in a way that fosters mutual respect.
The ability to recognize when boundaries are being crossed and how to respond effectively.
3. Enhanced Self-Worth
Understanding that their value is inherent and not tied to their relationship status.
Cultivating self-compassion and rejecting harmful narratives that diminish their worth.
4. Better Communication Skills
Tools for expressing emotions, needs, and concerns in a clear, respectful way.
Confidence to address power dynamics or inequities in conversations with partners.
5. Recognizing & Challenging Inequities
Awareness of how patriarchal norms shape relationships and strategies to dismantle these dynamics.
A more equitable approach to love, care, and shared responsibilities in partnerships.
6. Healing & Growth
A safe space to process emotional wounds from past relationships.
Tools to heal and move forward with clarity, resilience, and hope.
7. Building Authentic Connections
The ability to align relationships with personal values and find deeper fulfillment.
An emphasis on equality, mutual respect, and shared growth in partnerships.
8. A Supportive Community
Connection with like-minded women navigating similar challenges.
Validation, encouragement, and solidarity in a non-judgmental space.
Only ten spots available.
Only ten spots available.
Pricing & Dates
10 Week Bundle : $400
Drop-in Rate : $55 per session
Only ten spots available.
Given limited availability, participants committing to the full 10-weeks will take priority.
Our group will meet weekly every Thursday evening from Jan. 30th to March 20th, 2025
Location : TBD
Time : 7:00 - 8:30pm (CST)
✺ FAQ’s ✺
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This group is meant to be a progressive learning experience, with each week’s topic building on the last. It is highly recommended you attend all sessions (or as many as you can) to receive the full benefit of the group.
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Yes. We can split your bundle rate into two equal payments of $200 each, which will need to both be paid before the official start date of the group (one at registration, the second before our start date).
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This group is targeted towards women of all orientations, as well as gender fluid and non-binary people. However, there will be a focus on how the lack of a feminist perspective plays out in heterosexual relationships especially, but the content can be applied to any coupling.
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We will meet in-person weekly for 1.5 hours, and you can expect to spend about an hour a week on outside journaling or homework. Outside reading and participation in the Slack group is totally optional.
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We will have a Slack group where you can stay informed on the group and connected with your peers, and any content/handouts used will be provided once you come back.
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Yes! If you’re not an Austin resident or can’t make it in-person that week, you can join us via Zoom.
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We will begin with quick check-in’s from the group, and from there move on to learn and discuss that week’s topic and prompts. From there, we may do some mindfulness exercise, breakout group discussions, and have space for goal-setting for the following week, as well as any Q&A’s.
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The group size will be capped at ten total participants. The intention is to keep it intimate and build actual connections and authentic support among your group peers.