Be the Change: Therapy as a Political Act

Be the Change As a helper, do you believe you make a difference in the wider world? Or do you see yourself operating on an individual scale, helping people improve their lives but not creating large-scale differences. In 1969, activist Carol Hanish wrote, “The personal is political.” This statement became a center point for feminist psychotherapy in the 70s and beyond. Deborah and Tracy talk about the politics of doing therapy. While most therapists probably believe what we do is apolitical, therapy is always political. We either reinforce or challenge the status quo within the dominant culture. So we helpers need to examine our values and look at how the work we do supports the values we hold. To learn more: Cushman, Philip (1995). Psychotherapy as Moral Discourse. In Cushman, P. (1995). Constructing the Self, Constructing America. DaCapo Press. Totton, Nick (2006). The Politics of Psychotherapy: New Perspectives. New York: Open University Press.