Conscious Mental Health
For Curious Clients and Conscious Clinicians: We’re shaking things up for season 3! Join co-hosts Laurel and Juniper as they step away from the therapy room and dive into candid conversations about the world around us. From weekly roundups to deep dives and everything in between, we’ll explore current topics, share our personal experiences, and offer insights through the lens of clinicians who aren’t afraid to get real.
Whether you’re here for education, connection, or just some good old-fashioned therapist banter, we’ve got you covered. Don’t forget to visit our website, leave us a message, and be sure to review, comment, follow, and subscribe to stay connected—both here and on YouTube
Conscious Mental Health
BONUS EPISODE: Therapy Is Not Neutral
Politics and therapy: two things that seem separate but really aren’t. In this episode, we talk about why therapy is never neutral, how therapists’ political views affect their work, and why advocating for change is just part of the gig.
Therapy isn’t a bubble, and politics can’t be left outside the door. Join us as we unpack the role of politics in mental health work, the ethics of self-disclosure, and the pressures therapists face in politically charged times. From fees to systemic advocacy, we explore how therapeutic neutrality is outdated and why therapists need to embrace their political awareness for better client care.
Whether you’re a therapist or a client, we’ve got some real talk and tips on navigating the messiness of politics in therapy.
Intro to Politics in Therapy (00:00 - 07:43)
•Therapy is inherently political, and neutrality may be outdated
•Two-thirds of therapists report discussing politics with clients
•Why self-awareness is crucial for therapists when addressing political issues
Therapist Neutrality vs. Self-Disclosure (07:43 - 17:00)
•The impact of political discussions on the therapeutic alliance
•How political alignment (or misalignment) can affect therapy outcomes
•Importance of emotional self-regulation when discussing political views with clients
Therapy as a Political Act (17:00 - 28:11)
•How decisions like fees, accessibility, and client demographics are political
•Addressing systemic issues in therapy and the ethical mandate for advocacy
•The privilege of political neutrality and its effects on marginalized clients
Personal Plans and Ethics for Election Season (28:11 - 35:54)
•How to manage political stress during election season as a therapist
•Ideas for creating support groups for therapists around political events
•Engaging clients with games or activities during politically charged times
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