Political Climate

We do not exist in a vacuum since we are all part of a sociopolitical and economic world structure. Indeed, “the personal is political” – i.e. our individual struggles may be generated and intensified by sociopolitical and economic systems, as well as power struggles within our relationships. Our goal would be to bring those dynamics within the therapeutic process since they inform who we are as client and therapist, as well as highlight the path for a more inclusive healing process.

The current political climate has increased existential angst in many of us to a fever pitch. This can lead us to question our place in the world, our relationships with family, friends, and co-workers, and how we can stay the course without exhausting ourselves in the fight for social justice. As a social justice warrior myself, I can assist with helping you obtain a balance in standing up for your beliefs while maintaining a balance that leaves you space to enjoy your life.

In processing the immense emotional and psychological consequences of the climate emergency, we can turn towards the reality that we are entwined with the water, air, and land. Rather than evading fear, we can channel our dread and despair to create effective and sustainable change, transforming resignation into collective action. As we grieve for devastation, we can remain embedded in courage, retain persistence through obstacles, and build shared bravery and justice.

While one may choose to not attend to politics, none of us exist outside of our political systems. Power distribution, institutionalized discrimination and racism, income and rights inequality affect the vast majority of us negatively in multiple ways. Together we can work toward ways to heal from those effects to empower you internally, interpersonally, culturally and politically.

You may not think therapy is a place to talk about politics. Yet it can be a great opportunity to discuss how the current political climate may be causing stress in your daily life.

One unfortunate side effect of today's divided political climate is cancel culture. These days people literally try to destroy each other. A Twitter mob can destroy a person's life, get them fired from a job, and very often around accusations that are false. I've been through it and have a lot of empathy for others who have found themselves "cancelled." I also counsel people who have found themselves caught up in violent social movements on the "right" or the "left."

We live in troubling times, and it is only natural to feel stressed and worried. I help clients name their concerns and identify how to move forward, usually by choosing how to get active in the face of fear. I am forever guided by Mariame Kaba's idea that "hope is a discipline."

In many ways it is a remarkable time to be alive. As someone who needs a daily grounding practice to cope with the seeming precarity of our collective existence, I am sensitive to those for whom things like climate anxiety or a sense of hopelessness about political dysfunction, represent intrusive thoughts that impede daily functioning. Remember that we're in this together, and that connection - cultivating a solidarity mindset - is a powerful antidote to the forces working against our survival.

A person may choose to not attend to politics, but no one exists outside of societal and political contexts. The distribution of power affects you and everyone you know; institutional discrimination and racism affects us all, and for the vast of us, that is not a positive thing. Together, we can work to identify how this impacts your emotions and thoughts, and to create positive change in yourself, your relationships and our world.

The current political climate is extremely tough to deal with, but I have learned ways to help deal with these troubled times. Let me help you too.