“I just don’t know if I can say it,” a client whispered in session the other day, eyes darting toward the door as if the world outside might overhear. Moments like this are becoming increasingly familiar to me. In a society saturated with political conflict, social media outrage, and a nonstop news cycle, clients struggle to trust that therapy is a truly nonjudgmental space. In a country that prides itself on freedom, fear has taken root so deeply that honesty may be perceived as dangerous. This is the world many of my clients now inhabit—a world shaped by social media outrage, relentless news cycles, and political extremism. They come in carrying the weight of public scrutiny before they even open their mouths. They judge me, assuming I hold beliefs or biases that may harm them. They expect I know every misstep they’ve ever made. And they sit there, waiting for judgment—even when I have never met them before. Social media has changed the rules—it has made people hyper-aware of how they are seen, feared, and judged by the world.

The Collision of Social Media, News and Psychotherapy

These fears have intensified post-pandemic. Many of my clients enter the room with palpable anxiety—not just about their personal lives, but about the world at large. They recount violent events, ideological extremism, and tragedies they have seen on their social media feeds. They speak of a constant fear: “What if saying what I really think could get me hurt?” And they do not mean hurt in a metaphorical sense—they mean physically. In this climate, self-expression can feel like a risk too high to take.

As a clinician, these dynamics add yet another challenge to my practice. Real growth in therapy requires honesty, yet fear can paralyze even the most willing client. And how can I fault them? Everywhere they look, there are examples of people punished for their beliefs. Even I, trained in the ethics and boundaries around the therapeutic space, feel the need to tread carefully in daily life.

Yet this fear also underscores the vital role of counseling. Therapy is uniquely positioned to provide a safe place for my clients to explore their values, confront their fears, and consider alternative ways to cope with anger and frustration. For those on the edge—clients who feel tempted toward harmful behavior, therapy offers a way to process intense emotions without causing harm. It is a space where honesty is not punished, and curiosity is welcomed.

Every day, I watch as Americans relinquish freedom—not through law, but through fear. Fear of judgment, fear of reprisal, fear of being misunderstood––therapy can counteract that fear. It can teach clients that differences in opinion do not have to lead to conflict or violence. It can empower them to embrace their values and navigate the world safely, with empathy for others and themselves.

Case Illustration from the Front Lines of Therapy

A client once shared with me, “I want to tell him how I feel, but I also need a job. I want to tell my mom how I feel about her comments about my parenting, but I need all the help I can get. I want to tell my landscaper I am not happy, but he is the only one I have hired that has shown up. I have so much I keep burying deeper and deeper because I am scared to be abandoned when I need help most—even if what they are doing is not to my liking and even hurts me.”

Fear was ever-present in this client’s life. Fear existed for her in the realities of the world—fear that speaking openly about her beliefs or setting boundaries might result in rejection, loss of resources, or even emotional harm.

As her counselor, I did not dismiss these fears as irrational; instead, I acknowledged their legitimacy while also helping her see where she could exercise agency. Together we carefully distinguished between relationships where safety was truly at risk and those where her voice could be tested. In our sessions, I offered space to rehearse language, weigh possible outcomes, and build confidence in her ability to respond if conflict arose. Therapy became both a sacred shelter for her buried truths and a rehearsal ground for courage, allowing her to honor her feelings while navigating a world that sometimes punishes vulnerability.

A Call to Action

I offer these reflections as a call to action for my mental health colleagues. Share your work with your community. Let people know that therapy is more than a conversation—it is a protective space where they can confront fear, unpack judgment, and reclaim agency in their lives. Let those struggling with violent thoughts know they can explore these feelings without harming themselves or others. Encourage the vulnerable to uncover what they value most and find constructive ways to live it out.

America celebrates freedom, yet fear threatens it every day. Mental health professionals are in a unique position to reclaim that freedom—not through grand gestures, but through quiet, consistent, ethical, and compassionate work. Our expertise allows us to illuminate the power of difference, foster understanding, and help clients navigate fear without being consumed by it.

Nonjudgmental spaces are not just ideals…they are lifelines. And in times of division, outrage, and uncertainty, the work we do matters more than ever.

We counselors are uniquely positioned to educate, model, and empower communities during politically discordant times. By combining advocacy, education, and skillful facilitation of communication, we can help communities navigate change with empathy, respect, and informed action. In the last few years, I have learned to accept that political leadership and policies will continue to evolve, and communities may face challenges as a result.

With my clients, I have had to emphasize resilience, informed decision-making, and equitable engagement to help communities thrive despite adversity. I model active listening and authentic sharing, emphasizing the importance of validating each person’s voice. I strategically infuse examples from counseling, such as couples in disagreement, to illustrate how respectful dialogue can bridge differences. I work with clients using social cognitive learning to help others recognize that small, intentional steps in promoting understanding and respectful communication can lead to broader good. I spend extra attention guiding individuals on how to validate what they hear or see before responding, ensuring their perspectives are shared constructively.

During times of political discord, we are called into action as advocates. I find myself in these times desperately seeking others to join me with advertising our space as a lifeline for everyone.  


File under: A Day in the Life of a Therapist, Musings and Reflections