Yes Therapy is political

Therapy is political

Therapy is never neutral.

It’s deeply political because it exists within a wider social, cultural, and economic context that shapes
our lives.

Every aspect of therapy—from the methods we use to the assumptions we hold about mental health—has been influenced by dominant systems of power. These systems, whether colonialism, capitalism, patriarchy, or white supremacy, are deeply embedded in the very fabric of society, and they have profound effects on how we experience ourselves and the world.

The idea that therapy is just about “fixing” individuals or helping them adapt to society ignores the very structures that cause distress in the first place. Too often, therapy has been used to reinforce the status quo, helping individuals cope with systems of oppression rather than challenge those systems.

Historically, mental health care has been shaped by Eurocentric, capitalist, and often colonial frameworks that pathologize the experiences of marginalized groups. For example, what is labeled as “disorder” in one culture may be considered a survival mechanism in another. This is a key reason why therapy needs to be political.