When Politics Come into the Therapy Room
If you have ever felt your heart race after reading the news, or had to brace yourself before seeing a family member who brings up that topic at dinner, you are not the only one who feels like politics are not just “out there.” They are deeply personal. And they often walk with you into the therapy room.
For many, especially those healing from religious trauma, oppressive systems, or marginalized identities, politics are not something you can simply "leave at the door." They shape your sense of safety, your relationships, and even your core beliefs about yourself and the world.
What Does “Politics in Therapy” Actually Mean?
Let’s be clear: we are not talking about debating tax codes or party platforms. Politics in therapy looks more like this:
Processing the fear of losing bodily autonomy after a Supreme Court decision.
Naming the grief that comes with climate anxiety and ecological collapse.
Exploring how racism, homophobia, or transphobia impact your daily life.
Untangling internalized beliefs about “worth” that stem from capitalist productivity culture.
Grieving a sense of betrayal after a religious or political leader abuses power.
Navigating family ruptures due to differing political ideologies.
This is not about partisanship. Politics in therapy is about recognizing that political systems affect mental health. If laws and policies impact your safety, relationships, identity, or future, they are therapeutically relevant.
What “Politics in Therapy” Does NOT Mean
Sometimes people hear “politics in therapy” and assume it means sessions will turn into debates, lectures, or ideological pressure. That is not it. Some common misconceptions:
❌ Your therapist will force their political beliefs on you
A politically aware therapist should be there to support your healing, not push an agenda. The goal is to understand how the world impacts your mental health, not convince you how to vote. It is also important to note that addressing politics in therapy is about client healing, not the “therapist’s agenda,” and that if you, as the client, do not want to talk about politics, you don’t have to.❌ You’ll be expected to argue or defend your beliefs
Therapy is not a debate stage. It is a space to reflect on how experiences shaped by politics or power structures, like religious teachings, racialized systems, or anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and how they may be affecting your well-being.❌ You will be judged for your background or upbringing
Many people come from religiously conservative communities that have been deeply entwined with politics, making it difficult to talk about one without the other. Therapy allows you to unpack those histories with curiosity, nuance, and care, rather than shame.❌ It is exclusive to a specific ideology
Political awareness in therapy is not about ideology. It is about acknowledging real systems of harm and oppression, because ignoring those systems would be ignoring parts of your lived experience.❌ It will replace personal responsibility
Understanding how society impacts you actually increases self-awareness. Therapy makes space for your emotional truth and empowers you to move forward with intentionality.
So, no, politics in therapy should not turn sessions into a soapbox. It is about honoring the real-life context in which your pain and growth exist.
Why Your Therapist’s Awareness Matters
A therapist who minimizes or avoids political conversations may unintentionally reinforce harm. You might feel dismissed when your fears are very real. You might hesitate to bring up your lived experience if you are unsure your therapist will “get it.”
Therapists who practice from an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed lens understand that healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We look at the full context, how your pain may be shaped by systemic injustice, religious indoctrination, or societal expectations you never consented to.
This means you do not have to over-explain why a new law, a hate-fueled headline, or a tense election is making your anxiety spike. You get to bring the whole, complicated truth into the room.
The Intersection of Religion, Politics, and Mental Health
For those recovering from high-demand religions, politics can feel especially triggering. You might still carry guilt for questioning authority. You might feel confused about how to form your own values outside of rigid black-and-white worldviews. And you might feel crushed by the weight of injustice that your former communities still uphold.
Therapy can be a space to:
Reclaim your own moral compass.
Grieve the harm caused by religious-political alliances.
Process identity shifts as you move away from communities that shaped you.
Build resilience and groundedness in a chaotic, polarized world.
While politics in therapy cannot change our political environment, it can be a vital part of understanding your emotional reality. Healing, wellness, and care often means reconnecting with your values, your voice, and your vision for a more just and compassionate life. You deserve a space where it is possible to address all areas of health and wellness.
Reach out to start therapy or to learn more.
Disclaimer:
⚠️ The content on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes ONLY and should NOT be considered a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading these posts does not establish a therapeutic relationship.
If you are currently in crisis, experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are in need of immediate support, please call 911 or contact a crisis line such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.) or access your local emergency services.
These blog posts are written to explore topics like trauma, religious deconstruction, cults, identity development, and mental wellness in a thoughtful and compassionate way. They may (or may not) resonate deeply, especially for those healing from complex trauma, but they are NOT meant to replace individualized therapy or medical care.
