Post-Election 2024
🐰🐰 Is It Okay to Talk About Politics in Therapy?
"Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have"― Winston Churchill
The only constant is change...
With the stress and divisiveness of the election, a lot of people wonder if it’s okay to talk about politics in therapy. After all, isn’t therapy supposed to be a safe, judgment-free space? The short answer is yes — talking about politics in therapy can be entirely appropriate, especially when it ties into personal well-being, life challenges, or deeper values. For many people, politics isn’t just about voting or news headlines; it’s personal, impacting everyday life and mental health.
The ethics that guide social workers and therapists provide some helpful insights here. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics actually encourages therapists to consider issues related to social justice, policies that impact our lives, and advocacy for our communities. So, yes, there is room for these kinds of discussions in therapy when they’re relevant to your experience or values.
Why Talk About Politics in Therapy?
It might feel strange at first to bring politics into the therapy space, but there are real reasons why it can be important:
1. Social Policies Affect Personal Life: Things like healthcare, mental health resources, and education policies aren’t just abstract topics — they can directly affect your life and well-being. If, for instance, you’re facing challenges with accessing mental health care, that’s a political issue as well as a personal one. Therapy can offer a space to talk about those kinds of frustrations and empower you to find resources or ways to cope.
2. Advocacy and Allyship: Many people feel deeply connected to advocating for themselves or their communities. This might mean standing up for equal treatment, speaking out against discrimination, or just wanting support in feeling validated. Social work ethics are clear: part of a therapist’s role can be to support clients in these areas, providing an ally who understands the weight of those concerns and offers space to work through them.
3. Exploring Personal Values: Therapy is often about exploring values and understanding how those values shape your choices and relationships. Political beliefs can be a big part of this. Talking about how your beliefs intersect with your relationships, work, or community can be a natural and meaningful part of self-discovery.
How to Bring Politics into Therapy in a Meaningful Way
So, if politics feels relevant to you, how might it show up in therapy? Here are a few ways to consider:
1. Letting the Client Lead: As a client, you have control over what topics you bring up. If a policy or social issue is weighing on you, feel free to share it. Maybe you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed by a recent event, or maybe you’re struggling with frustration about societal issues that affect your day-to-day. Your therapist is there to listen and support you without judgment.
2. Keeping Focus on Your Goals: It’s important to make sure these conversations stay connected to your therapeutic goals. For instance, if you’re struggling with anger or anxiety about certain political issues, therapy can be a place to work on managing those feelings or figuring out what action feels empowering for you.
3. Respect for Diverse Perspectives: Therapy should be a nonjudgmental space, regardless of your political beliefs. The NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of respecting each person’s dignity and values. Whatever your perspective, your therapist’s role is to offer understanding and support, not judgment or their own views.
4. Maintaining Boundaries: You should feel confident that the therapy space is about your needs and experiences, not your therapist’s. Any personal sharing your therapist does (if they do at all) should be for your benefit, helping you feel understood or validating your experience.
Therapy as a Space for Growth and Empowerment
Ultimately, therapy can be a place for more than just personal healing; it can be a space where you feel empowered to navigate larger social dynamics, manage your responses to what’s going on in the world, and find ways to stay grounded in your values. For many people, this process can include talking about political topics in ways that feel meaningful and safe.
So, if something in the political world is weighing on you, impacting your mental health, or sparking questions about your values, it’s okay — even encouraged — to bring that up in therapy. A good therapist will respect where you’re coming from and provide a space where you can explore it without judgment. Conversations that might be difficult or contentious outside can, in therapy, lead to a clearer sense of self and what matters most to you.
“Look for the helpers” - Mr. Rogers
