In today’s world, politics often touches every corner of our lives — our work, our families, our identity, even our mental health. If you’re seeing a therapist (or thinking of starting), you may wonder: “Is it OK to talk about politics in therapy?” The short answer is: yes — it can absolutely be okay. And in many cases, it may even be important. But there are helpful guidelines and things to know so that such conversations support your healing rather than interfere with it.
You might assume therapy is about “me and my feelings,” separate from public issues or political debates. But in practice, politics show up more often than you might think. For example, one study found that a large majority of therapists (87 %) reported “discussing politics in‑session,” and 63 % reported some form of their own political self‑disclosure.
What does that tell us? That for many clients, political issues are not just abstract, they’re deeply felt. Whether it’s a law that impacts health care access, an immigration policy, economic hardship, or civil rights, such systems shape people’s emotional world. At Behr Psychology, we honor that your feelings about the political world are valid and we recognise that when politics become distressing, it’s within our scope to talk about it.
When we say “talking about politics,” that might mean different things:
In each of those scenarios, politics become relevant when they intersect with your mental health. The goal in therapy isn’t to debate politics per se, but to explore how the political climate (or your beliefs about it) is affecting you.
If you want to talk about politics, you should feel able to say so: “I’ve been anxious about recent policy changes and it’s coming up in my head. Could we talk about that?” A good therapist will ask what you want from that discussion (venting? exploring values? repairing a relationship?). Your concerns set the tone.
Some therapists may stay very neutral; others may be more willing to engage. Research has found that therapists who perceived shared political views with clients reported stronger therapeutic alliances. That doesn’t mean you must share views—what’s more important is that you feel respected and heard, not judged. If you sense your therapist is pushing their political stance rather than helping your experience, that’s a red flag.
Professional ethical guidelines (for instance from the American Psychological Association) emphasise that therapists should not impose their own values or beliefs on clients. If politics dominate to the point that the therapist’s agenda overshadows yours, the therapeutic relationship may be compromised.
In short: talking politics is fine, so long as it’s serving your growth, not their persuasion.
And if you’re seeing a therapist and you feel uncomfortable discussing politics (or your therapist seems uncomfortable), you have a say. You might say: “I know current events are stressing me out, but I’m not ready to explore my political beliefs yet—could we focus on the anxiety instead?” That’s valid and a sign you’re advocating for your own needs.
At Behr Psychology, we recognize that your mental health does not live in a vacuum. Your values, identity, and life‑experiences matter. If your political context is stressing you, confusing you, or undermining your sense of self, we want to help you make sense of that.
We believe therapy is for you: your story, your beliefs, your healing. Talk with us about how your political experiences show up, and we’ll together navigate how they connect to your emotional, relational, and existential life. Call us or schedule a consultation today at Behr Psychology to explore whether we’re the right fit.
