Conducting psychotherapy in the Trump era: Therapists' perspectives on political self-disclosure, the therapeutic alliance, and politics in the therapy room.
| Publication Type | Academic Article |
| Authors | Solomonov N, Barber J |
| Journal | J Clin Psychol |
| Volume | 75 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Pagination | 1508-1518 |
| Date Published | 05/27/2019 |
| ISSN | 1097-4679 |
| Keywords | Politics, Psychotherapy, Self Disclosure, Therapeutic Alliance |
| Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To examine therapists' perspectives on political self-disclosure, perceived shared values with patients, and the therapeutic alliance. METHOD: Therapists from all US states completed a structured survey (N = 268; 62% Democrats; 7% Republicans; 23% independents; 8% others). RESULTS: Most therapists (87%) reported they discussed politics in-session; 63% reported political self-disclosure (21% explicit; 42% implicit). Therapists who perceived political similarity with most patients were more likely to report political discussions and self-disclosure. Therapists who reported shared political views with a higher percentage of patients, and those who explicitly disclosed, also reported stronger alliances. Clinton supporters reported significant observed preelection-postelection increases in political discussions, increases in patients' expression of negative emotions, and decreases in positive emotions. Trump supporters reported the opposite phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: Politics play an important role in therapeutic processes as in-session political discussions are common and perceived political similarity may affect decisions to self-disclose and alliance quality. |
| DOI | 10.1002/jclp.22801 |
| PubMed ID | 31132301 |