Is Therapy Political? A Multicultural Therapist’s Perspective
In-person therapy in Houston | Remote therapy in Texas & California
As a therapist based in Houston and working remotely with clients across Texas and California, I specialize in helping people navigate painful relationship patterns—particularly high-conflict mother–daughter relationships within multicultural families. One question I often hear is: Is therapy political?
The answer isn't as simple as yes or no—it's a nuanced conversation that deserves exploration and can reveal a lot about what effective, compassionate therapy looks like.
Therapy Is Inherently Political
Some therapists say their work is “not political,” but even that statement reflects a political stance—one that risks ignoring how societal forces deeply influence mental health.
In my work, I’ve seen how cultural identity, systemic pressure, and family expectations can show up in everything from anxiety to self-worth. Therapy that acknowledges this complexity is simply more effective and more human.
What It Doesn’t Mean When Therapy Is Political
Let’s clear up a common misconception. Saying therapy is political does not mean your therapist will:
Bring up the news during every session
Blame all your struggles on “the system”
Force their personal beliefs onto your healing journey
What It Does Mean
It means your therapist:
Uses informed interventions – Choosing approaches that take into account your cultural and social context
Understands your lived experience – Seeing anxiety or grief not just as symptoms, but as responses to systemic stressors
Helps you challenge internalized messages – Especially those shaped by racism, sexism, colonialism, or cultural shame
Builds a full picture of your needs – By considering both individual psychology and the world you’re navigating daily
Why Context Matters in the Therapy Room
Imagine you’re struggling with anxiety related to financial stress, but your therapist focuses solely on relaxation techniques without understanding the real pressures you face at work or home. Or imagine a therapist who overlooks how your cultural background shapes your experience of family conflict, leaving you feeling misunderstood.
When therapists miss these bigger parts of your story, healing becomes harder. Your challenges feel isolated from your reality—and therapy loses its true power.
What This Means for Your Healing Journey
If you’ve ever felt like therapy didn’t “get” you—or reduced your pain to just a diagnosis—you’re not alone.
When therapy honors both your inner world and the systems you live within, it becomes something more powerful. You feel truly seen. Your healing deepens. You stop blaming yourself for wounds that were never yours to carry.
Looking for Culturally Attuned Therapy?
Whether you’re in Houston or seeking remote therapy in Texas or California, I offer a space that recognizes how cultural identity, systemic pressures, and personal growth intersect. Your story matters—all of it.
In the end, the question isn't whether therapy should be political, but rather: How can therapy honor the full complexity of human experience, including the social and political realities that shape our mental health?