Conducting psychotherapy in the Trump era: Therapists’ perspectives on political self-disclosure, the therapeutic alliance, and politics in the therapy room

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.