Psychotherapy in the Age of Political Polarization

A Guide for Mental Health Professionals

William McCown, Linda Chamberlain

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040340127
• Topic: Psychology
• Index: Psychology

Psychotherapy in the Age of Political Polarization is a response to the challenge so many mental health professionals face: How do we best assist our clients who are suffering from the political polarization that is pervasive in our culture? This book explores how highly politicized interactions can often affect psychotherapy and counseling, and ways to combat the division.

The liberal/ conservative division that exists in psychotherapy is discussed, and ways of overcoming these differences to work on a common goal in a therapeutic setting is of central importance. Useful case examples and vignettes are included to aid and mend divisions caused when encountering politically and ideologically challenging clients. Furthermore, the book explores how we've become so divided, the relevance of politics in therapy, the interface of political polarization with psychological disorders, and finally skills to aid mental health professionals in ethical practice.

This is an essential read for mental health professionals and students, including social workers, psychotherapists, counselors, and psychologists hoping to bridge the gap and reduce the negative impact of political polarization.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Endorsement
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• 1 The Great Divide
• 2 Left and Right: Models of Liberal/Conservative Differences
• 3 Political to Partisan: How We Got Here
• 4 The Question of Liberal Bias in Mental Health Professionals
• 5 Politics Invades the Therapy Space
• 6 Empathy in Counseling the Politicized Client
• 7 Partisanship and Grief
• 8 Complex Disorders and Politics:
• 9 Politics, Substance Abuse, and Addictive Behaviors
• 10 Working with Polarization in Relationships and Families
• 11 Depolarization, Training, and Support
• 12 Ethics and Advocacy
• Appendix A: Political Orientation and Therapeutic Outcomes1
• Appendix B: Resources and Recommended Reading
• Index