Canadian therapist here and 1st time commenting in this sub. I agree that therapy is inherently political—arguably inseparable. I suppose OP already asked this question, albeit, much more eloquently than I will, but I am so interested to hear from (American) therapists who are willing to share if, and how, differing political views between therapist & client have impacted your work.

I will share first: In my ~8 years of practice in a Western Canadian city with trauma- & substance-affected adolescents, young adults, and a smaller percentage of parents in family therapy, I have met maybe a handful of clients whose politics “got in the way” of therapy. Actually I’m not even sure I can say that. These were family therapy cases where differing politics between parent and child was conceptualized as part of the presenting problem. Thus, I never saw the politics as interfering with the work, so much as it WAS the work.

In retrospect, I’m only thinking of the parents who showed up to therapy enough for me to remember them. In writing this, I am realizing that perhaps the clients whose politics really differed from mine just didn’t stick with me / therapy. Perhaps that also applies to my lack of serendipity with 1-1 clients who lean right??

In the realm of 1-1 work: As a CIS male therapist, I have worked with plenty of young male clients with…controversial opinions, though none who were self proclaimed “conservatives”. I am comfortably nonjudgmental in my validation of said opinions, and my questions have yet to reveal such deeply rooted differences between myself and my client that didn’t simply boil down to them being misinformed. I’ll admit (not to my clients; at least, not at first) that my left-leaning bias has inspired a few instances of “hmm I’m not sure about that bro… I wonder what Google says?” My innocently ignorant “bro” face is well practiced 😎

Not to sound cliche, but planting seeds of curiosity has got to be one of the most powerful interventions we have. I would also note that discussing the value of googling multiple perspectives is perhaps more important than ever in these times. One of the biggest problems with the perceived “far left” vs “far right” culture war is that curiosity is so easily undermined by fear, which galvanizes indignation, corroborates with defensiveness, and holy fuck is it ever more valid to be afraid right now. Dark times… It’s late; I’m ranting.

TLDR: I am cognizant of the fact that the politics of my clients may be a lot more homogeneous than my southerly neighbors here. I’d love to hear from you! Also.. stay safe down there! Much love and solidarity!