Therapy Isn’t Neutral: Why Clients Deserve to Know Where You Stand
Therapist Values Transparency Is Informed Consent
We expect informed consent to be a basic part of therapy: clients should understand how their therapist works, what they can expect from treatment, and any factors that could meaningfully impact their care. But one aspect of informed consent that isn’t addressed enough is values.
As a psychologist, I believe that being clear about where I stand on key issues isn’t just good practice, because it’s a matter of ethics, safety, and trust. This is especially important for clients who are part of marginalized communities, many of whom are seeking therapy in direct response to ongoing political harm.
Therapy Doesn’t Happen in a Vacuum
For many people, therapy is not just about processing stress or learning coping skills; it’s about navigating a world that feels unsafe. Clients are showing up in therapy heartbroken, exhausted, and afraid because their identities, rights, or loved ones are under attack. They may be queer, trans, people of color, immigrants, or part of another community disproportionately affected by structural violence.
In that context, it matters whether their therapist thinks their marriage is valid, their gender is real, or their fear is justified. It matters whether their therapist supports policies that directly threaten their safety and well-being. If a client only finds out long into the relationship that their therapist holds socially conservative views that undermine their identity, it can feel like a betrayal. And depending on the context, it can be deeply traumatizing.
Silence Is Not Neutral
A common refrain from therapists is “I don’t talk about politics in the therapy room.” While that may sound neutral on the surface, it often functions to protect privilege more than people. When someone’s rights, relationships, or bodily autonomy are on the line, that is political, and pretending otherwise can create confusion or even harm.
The reality is that silence on social issues often implies consent with the status quo. And the status quo is not neutral. It’s already harming many of the people who walk through our (virtual) doors.
Transparency Builds Safety and Trust
Therapists have many ways to communicate their values without turning their website into a political soapbox. A therapist doesn’t need to state their entire voting record, but things like inclusive language, specific population focus, blog content, or visible support for marginalized communities are all signals that can help clients make informed choices.
Therapists are often taught to stay out of the conversation around politics. But when social issues are deeply intertwined with mental health - and they are - clients deserve to know where we stand so they can make an informed decision about who is safe to open up to.
This Isn’t About Financial Conservatism
To be clear, I’m speaking specifically about socially conservative beliefs here. You could absolutely make a case that certain fiscally conservative policies also do harm, but that’s beyond the scope of this particular post. The point is that when a therapist supports or remains silent on policies that delegitimize or endanger someone’s identity, the client has a right to know that. Because it will affect the therapy.
Transparency Is an Act of Care
I’m not writing this to say that every therapist has to disclose everything about themselves online. But I do believe that when our views could impact someone’s safety, we have a responsibility to be clear. If a client would feel less safe or supported knowing something about your values, I believe that it’s wrong to obscure it.
This is why my website and writing are explicit about my commitment to inclusion, LGBTQ+ affirmation, and social justice. Not because I want to alienate people who think differently, but because I want to make sure that the people I work with know that they are safe, affirmed, and seen here. That’s the foundation of trust and effective therapy.
Final Thoughts: This Is About Safety
I believe that clients, particularly folks of marginalized backgrounds, deserve to know whether they’re sitting across from someone who sees their full humanity. When someone’s life, rights, or relationships are up for debate in public discourse, knowing whether their therapist stands with them is crucial.
If we care about creating safe and ethical therapeutic spaces, we need to be honest about what’s at stake.
If what you see resonates with you, feel free to book a free 15-minute consultation.
I'm Dr. Matt Richardson, a licensed psychologist and owner of Rough Waters Psychology, a virtual practice specializing in therapy for gay men, with a focus on anxiety and self-worth and body image and eating disorders.
I offer virtual therapy to gay men throughout Massachusetts, New York, Maine, and Florida. Whether you're in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Worcester, Springfield, Northampton, or Provincetown — or anywhere else in Massachusetts — I'd love to connect. I also work with clients throughout New York, including New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers, and White Plains. In Maine, I work with clients in Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Brunswick, Bar Harbor, Rockland, and surrounding areas. And throughout Florida, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Gainesville, and beyond.
