On becoming Lilith-allies: how the myth became a meeting place for a woman and her male therapist as they navigated gendered, religious, and male-centered conditions of worth

This longitudinal case study explores the evolution of a therapeutic relationship between a cisgender, queer, male person-centered therapist and a cisgender, heterosexual female client with internalized gendered, religious, and male-centered conditions of worth. The study highlights the challenges faced by the male therapist, whose gender and associated privilege inherently limit his ability to frame the experiences of clients who do not align with feminism through a feminist lens without risking perceptions of overshadowing or patronizing their narratives as a male authority. To navigate these challenges, the therapist implemented a pluralistic framework that combined the person-centered approach with a storytelling and narrative-constructivist perspective rooted in feminist theological insights. Employing the myth of Lilith as a resonant metaphor and reflective point, the research illustrates how the collaborative exploration and reinterpretation of this religious narrative enabled the client to question and deconstruct patriarchal religious and sociocultural conditionings, challenge gender dynamics and power imbalances, and foster congruence and (self-)awareness. Concurrently, the therapist engaged in reflective practice, addressing biases linked to his male privilege and internalized patriarchal norms. This process enhanced his congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard while expanding his (self-)awareness. As a result, the therapeutic relationship evolved into an empowering therapeutic alliance.