Abstract

A review will be followed by a critique of Self in Relation as a theory of women's development. The critique will use feminist postmodernism as a tool to illuminate certain aspects of Self in Relation that might otherwise go unchallenged. The specific aspects of Self in Relation that will be given close attention are the concepts of connectedness as it relates to mental health, and empathy as the theory seeks to define it. Finally a brief chapter will discuss how Self in Relation, given its strengths and limitations, can be used, along with concepts from postmodernism, to create training programs for psychologists at a mental health clinic