Divided we fall: Constructive dialoguing about our political differences within family therapy training

Area of Science:

• Social Science
• Psychology
• Family Therapy

Background:

• Increasing political polarization in the U.S. challenges civil discourse and democratic traditions.
• Deep political divisions and toxic emotions threaten social well-being at individual and societal levels.
• Family therapists face challenges in addressing severe hostility and resentment stemming from political differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how family therapy training programs can enhance trainees' skills in constructive political dialogue.
• To equip trainees with methods for managing their own reactivity to differing political views.
• To enable therapists to better support clients navigating politically charged relational tensions.

Main Methods:

• The article discusses pedagogical approaches within family therapy training.
• It emphasizes developing self-awareness and emotional regulation skills for trainees.
• Focuses on training therapists to facilitate dialogue across political divides.

Main Results:

• Training can improve therapists' capacity to manage emotional reactivity.
• Trainees can learn to facilitate constructive conversations despite political differences.
• Enhanced skills enable therapists to better assist clients with political conflicts.

Conclusions:

• Family therapy training must adapt to address the impact of political polarization.
• Developing skills for managing political disagreements is crucial for effective therapy.
• Therapists can play a role in mitigating the negative social effects of political division.