"Therapy for the Trump Era: Time to Move On (Yes, Really)
Psychotherapy is much more than simply showing up—just as elections are more than a matter of casting a vote. True growth, whether for individuals or society, requires deep, nuanced inner work. Today, the need to move beyond rigid, black-and-white thinking has never been more pressing. In therapy, I often talk about the difference between “soft focus” and “hard focus.” Soft focus invites open-minded curiosity, helping us appreciate the full complexity of a situation, while hard focus leans toward rigidity and categorical thinking. This serves as a reminder for therapists to resist oversimplifying, especially when clients bring in feelings of uncertainty, anger, or dread about today’s political climate—feelings that are often firm yet nuanced. This is not a robust defense of Trump, by the way, but a call fo reasonable behavior.,
Recognizing the Emotional Reality of Today’s Politics
The reality is that Trump received considerable support in the last election. It’s important to acknowledge this reality without judgment. Using labels like “fascist” or “dictator” may be widespread, but they’re overly simplistic and often inaccurate. For example, in an interview with Sean Hannity, Trump used the term “dictator” narrowly to suggest he’ll focus on border control and energy policy. While some may find his approach troubling, both actions fall within his executive purview. Implying that Trump is a “Neo-Hitler” exaggerates the situation. He had ample opportunity to take unprecedented power during his first term but didn’t pursue it. Nonetheless, his rhetoric around topics like immigration and abortion has surfaced deep-seated anxieties and personal concerns that can’t be ignored. It also cannot be ignored that defending our border and keeping the rule of law is his primary job. To move beyond these initial reactions, therapy must welcome complexity. Each client experiences this political climate differently, and those feelings don’t exist in a vacuum—our work benefits from listening to how these issues shape their world without assuming a one-size-fits-all impact.
Getting Beyond Simplistic Narratives
The standard, alarmist narrative is that Trump seeks to dismantle democracy and freedom. However, as the authors of this article write—it is not as ominous as we might imagine. Jäger and Jönsson suggest that political events are rarely this straightforward. Most especially when they completely defy logic. Trump and the MAGA crowd center their rhetoric not on classical liberal ideas of honor and the pursuit of excellence but on what is referred to as “negative freedom.” Asserting fundamental freedoms like gun ownership, nationalism, speech, and religion are certainly not inherently negative. But there are our supporters whose negative idea that “I can do or say whatever the hell I want.” is cloaked behind them. This is a problem. Many Trump supporters are willing to overlook his glaring faults, but they know how the economy and the Constitution work. And lots of them do not. Though distasteful to some, these are, in fact, expressions of freedom. Unless these freedoms turn hostile or aggressive (as on January 6), they’re not necessarily dangerous. In therapy, we’re challenged to go beyond these narratives and labels like “fascist” or “revolutionary.” Our role is to understand what these political figures or climates mean to clients—how they’ve impacted relationships, security, or future goals. Exploring this gives us insights into our clients’ experiences.
Encouraging Critical Engagement, Not Reactionary Thinking
Political divisions thrive on unexamined assumptions. If a client expresses fear of a “dictator” or “fascist,” it can be valuable to ask where that belief originates. This exercise is crucial for clients to dig into their emotional responses, examining the roots of their beliefs, often influenced by media, family, or social networks. As therapists, guiding this kind of self-reflection helps clients uncover their agency, enabling them to navigate political stressors constructively.
Building Resilience and Empowered Choice Amid Uncertainty
A key part of therapy is helping clients build resilience through a sense of agency. Rather than focusing solely on fears, we can explore how clients might engage positively with their concerns—through community involvement, advocacy, or grounding routines. Recognizing these tools can reduce feelings of helplessness, aligning with Jäger and Jönsson’s call to consider the broader context instead of defaulting to divisive viewpoints. As therapists, we empower our clients by supporting this process.
Holding Space for Clients’ Experiences, Not Our Own Biases
In times like these, therapists must maintain neutrality. Our political views should ideally stay in the background, creating space for clients to interpret and react to the political climate without our biases. Neutrality doesn’t imply indifference; it ensures clients feel respected and supported as they unpack their own perspectives. Jäger and Jönsson’s reminder that political analysis benefits from nuance and depth applies equally to therapy. By forgoing labels and embracing complexity, we allow clients to process their reactions to the Trump era in ways that are personally meaningful, adaptive, and empowering..
I have been referring clients and friends to this article. Like the authors, The use of 'fascist" or "dictator" as a blanket descriptor for Trump is inaccurate, and it is a widely circulated mischaracterization of this interview.
