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3 reasons you should ask your therapist who they are voting for, from a shrink
While it might seem unwise to chat politics with your psychologist, a therapist has argued that you should outright ask them who they are voting for.
The Presidential election is right around the corner and provided you’re not swayed by candidates’ eating habits, who you’re voting for is very personal. That being said, your own mental health should always be prioritized, whether that’s through the power of mediation or frank conversations about voting habits.
Mental health is political, the therapist said
Therapy Jeff (@therapyjeff) is a relationship shrink who earlier detailed why you should run if your date never disagrees with you. He usually shares his advice with his 2.8 million followers on TikTok.
At the end of September, Jeff posted a video for his followers that delved into the divisive topic of politics. He suggested you should do away with the age-old idiom, “Never discuss politics or religion in polite company.”
His first point for why you should ask your therapist who they are voting for was that you need to feel safe and supported in your sessions.
“If your therapist’s political values affect how safe you feel in the room, you should ask, especially if you’re part of a marginalized group,” he explained. “Knowing whether a therapist votes for candidates who advocate for your rights could be the difference between fully opening up or holding back.”
Moving on, Jeff argued that “politics is not separate from mental health” as he noted how who is in office directly affects your rights, mental health, and well-being.
He continued: “The person you trust with your mental health should align with the values that protect and uplift you.
“Are they voting for policies that affect mental health access? Do their beliefs align with yours on issues like bodily autonomy, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights? These are not just political issues, they’re personal and therapeutic ones too.”
Being completely transparent about beliefs and political opinions will also foster an atmosphere of trust, which is vital for therapeutic settings.
It’s a complicated topic and one with differing opinions
Politics is already a powerful divisive issue so it’s not surprising that some people, and therapists, think it should stay out of therapy sessions.
In theory, a “good” therapist, as Jeff called it, should be able to put aside their political stance to treat you properly. Unfortunately, not every therapist out there will be able to do that, at least with complete transparency you’re on the same page. If it breaks that relationship, you can find someone else who aligns more with your views.
As you might have guessed, Jeff’s words started a mini brawl in the comments as one person argued: “Politics will always be personal, no matter how many people say otherwise.”
“I had a temporary therapist when mine was on maternity leave& He shared his screen and I saw a bunch of right-wing websites. I never met with him again. No thanks!” someone else said, while another said, “But if I don’t know, my trust is not damaged. I don’t agree with this. It’s already difficult to find good therapists.”
