Therapy culture is turning politics into a national nervous breakdown
Therapeutic language such as 'trauma' and 'boundaries' has moved beyond clinical settings and is increasingly shaping how Americans interpret political disagreements. This shift frames political opponents not as people with differing views but as psychological or moral threats, escalating emotional intensity. The result, according to psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, is a more polarized and destabilized political culture.
- ▪Therapist Jonathan Alpert argues that therapeutic concepts are being misapplied to politics, transforming disagreement into perceived psychological harm.
- ▪Political opponents are increasingly seen as dangerous or toxic rather than simply holding different views.
- ▪Alpert warns this mindset contributes to moral justification of extreme sentiments, including political violence.
- ▪He explores these themes in his book 'Therapy Nation,' linking therapy culture to broader societal polarization.
- ▪A survey cited by Alpert found that 1 in 7 Americans believe it is acceptable to justify harmful political actions.
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Opinion Therapy culture is turning politics into a national nervous breakdown Concepts like 'trauma' and 'boundaries' have escaped the therapist's office and reshaped how Americans interpret politics By Jonathan Alpert Fox News Published May 17, 2026 7:45am EDT | Updated May 17, 2026 8:00am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Political violence concerns soar as therapist blasts justification of harmful actions Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert discusses rising political violence and the rationalization of harmful acts, citing a survey where 1 in 7 Americans find it acceptable.
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