# If I'm looking for a therapist, is it OK to ask if they are a Trump supporter?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [December 19, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400 "2020-12-19T14:46:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 7
### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/121 "2020-12-21T00:52:32Z")
> [@DSeid](#):
>
> I can agree with this, and would go further to say that the crux is whether before choosing a therapist one needs explicit reassurance that the therapist will explicitly _agree with and endorse_ your values and beliefs, (rather than to respect them whatever their own beliefs are) if those values are something you wish to discuss. Some here _strongly_ feel/think yes, for at least the values that they believe are inherent to having voted for Trump, to the degree that therapists who respond as @susan does would be off their list.
I can see where questions of values is vital to the issue of trust: for example, if I wanted to discuss being sexually abused by a priest my therapists relationship with Catholicism is probably pertinent!
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/122 "2020-12-21T03:22:02Z")
> [@FigNorton](#):
>
> So, is it the consensus opinion here that therapists should also be chosen by their pro-choice/anti-abortion opinion, positions on universal healthcare, troop levels in Iraq? Or is Trump voting the only part of politics you need an answer for?
> [@k9bfriender](#):
>
> Sure, if those are things that are important to you. If you have had an abortion, would you go to a therapist that thinks that abortion is murder? If you have PTSD from your time in Iraq, would you go to a therapist that thinks that we should have sent in more troops and killed more Iraqi’s?
>
> Trump is a _very_ polarizing figure and topic. It is unlikely that he would not come up in conversation when you are discussing what your problems and concerns are.
Exactly. It’s absurd to expect your therapist to agree with you on every issue. If that were the case, what would even be the point of seeing them? But it’s completely reasonable to expect your therapist to not have characteristics that are too closely aligned with your own personal trauma or other major issues.
For many liberals, a Trump supporter would be problematic right now.
> [@Sam\_Stone](#):
>
> The large majority of Trump supporters are not monsters, they are just people forced to support someone they’d rather not, because they really don’t like _your_ plans for them.
We may have different definitions of “supporters”. I regularly play bridge with Republicans. I would guess they all voted for Trump, thinking him better than the alternative. Only one of them is a “Trump supporter”. The others despise Trump, and were shocked and saddened that he won the primary 4 years ago.
None of them are the sort of person who would become a therapist, but I can relax with them, and know they are basically decent people who share most of my values. The one guy who is actually a Trump supporter is a different story.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/123 "2020-12-21T13:33:02Z")
> [@Velocity](#):
>
> I’m not a therapist, but I would imagine that there are some who can easily tell from the client’s tone of voice in asking, “Are you a Trump supporter?” whether the client leans towards a favorable or unfavorable view of Trump. And then either lie, or tell the truth, accordingly.
>
> So Therapist Sue could be MAGA with a Trump client at 1 PM and a Biden supporter with a blue voter at 3 PM.
Have you ever been to therapy?
Because they could try lying. But most people can tell when they are being lied to, especially when it would have to happen over and over as they discuss the topic.
The first half of therapy is basically building trust and a rapport so that you can then get down to addressing things. If that trust can’t be gained, the therapy fails. It’s why disorders that are naturally distrustful are some of the hardest to treat, only possibly beaten by those who won’t accept anything is wrong.
All it would take is for one person to figure out the therapist is lying, and they’d be unable to help anyone.
And that’s without getting into the problems with Trump supporters: they tend to either be very hateful people, or very credulous and easily conned. Any therapist who couldn’t see that Trump has the symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and is a harm to himself and others is one that I couldn’t trust to be able to not be tricked by me when I inevitably try to get out of doing what I need to do.
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### Author:  [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/124 "2020-12-21T14:20:51Z")
My question is, how did you spot the credulous hateful therapists before Trump?
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/125 "2020-12-21T14:21:54Z")
Before Trump, I wasn’t concerned about credulous hate. Now I am.
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### Author:  [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/126 "2020-12-21T14:22:24Z")
Now that the horse has left the barn. Lol.
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/127 "2020-12-21T14:43:31Z")
Trust me, people weren’t having this issue when Jerry Ford was President.
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### Author:  [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/128 "2020-12-21T14:48:31Z")
Uh, trust me some people were. A light pop reference: BlackkKlansman was set in Ford’s time.
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/129 "2020-12-21T14:49:38Z")
Lol, your cite is a 2018 movie which was set in 1975?
Color me convinced!
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### Author:  [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/130 "2020-12-21T14:50:57Z")
A light pop reference isn’t a cite. Chillax, dude.
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/131 "2020-12-21T14:55:07Z")
If you want to debate morality of Trump supporters, go here:
> [@Was it possible/plausible for a morally upright person to vote for President Trump in 2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-possible-plausible-for-a-morally-upright-person-to-vote-for-president-trump-in-2020/926099):
>
> There was a topic about divisive political questions. I suggest that this question is among the most divisive. Was it possible for a morally upright person to vote for President Trump in 2020? If so, was it plausible? ~Max ETA: Morally upright in your eyes
Otherwise, you’re just hijacking this topic which is, again, about how to address value systems with therapists, especially if those value systems are something you wish to discuss in your sessions.
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### Author:  [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/132 "2020-12-21T14:57:28Z")
I’m not interested in debating that and I haven’t done that here. I just pointed out that maybe you didn’t have to deal with credulous hate back in the 70s, but “people” did. And then you argue about it?
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### Author:  [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/133 "2020-12-21T15:00:30Z")
> [@JohnT](#):
>
> Trust me, people weren’t having this issue when Jerry Ford was President.
In the words of P.J. O’Rourke regarding Hillary Clinton: “She may be wrong, but she’s wrong within normal parameters.”
And ISTM that some here may be getting hung up on the specific matter of _Trump_ support _qua_ Trump support, as opposed to the more general case of wondering if the therapist (or consultant, or accountant or legal counsel) has a vision of the world that means the two of you may not even share a “common language” as to what is the reality that is causing your emotional strain address the validity of that strain. That is a valid matter to consider, and “Trump support” serves as a shorthand example of such a case. (FWIW so could “Sovereign Citizen”, if you asked me)
Add me to those who applaud **susan** ’s approach and would greatly respect running into a professional who applies it.
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/134 "2020-12-21T15:01:49Z")
I was 8 in 1975.
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### Author:  [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/135 "2020-12-21T15:04:36Z")
Then why in the world did you bring it up?
Look, I am not arguing that you should let it slide if your therapist is a hateful idiot. I get that “Trump supporter” is shorthand for that. I’m not sure it’s the healthiest shorthand.
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### Author:  [@Mr\_Hoogly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Hoogly)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/136 "2020-12-21T16:52:40Z")
It’s you who is squirming. Trump is hardly charmain Mao, even if you disagree with his policies.
It isn’t like there’s a plethora of opposition to Trump who have a good chance of getting in to office and being able to change things. Biden or any other politician are not squeaky clean. Look at
Do all your friends have the same leanings and opinions as you? Are you that much of a child?
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### Author:  [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/137 "2020-12-21T17:57:30Z")
> [@Mr\_Hoogly](#):
>
> It’s you who is squirming. Trump is hardly charmain Mao, even if you disagree with his policies.
Says some drive-by rando who is so disturbed by how I choose to spend my money that he popped into this thread just to tell me that Trump isn’t that bad and Biden isn’t that good.
Thanks for proving my point.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/138 "2020-12-21T17:58:38Z")
**Modnote** : This last bit is too much. Don’t insult other posters. Don’t be a jerk. Don’t repeat.
_This is just a guidance, not a warning. Nothing on your permanent record._
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### Author:  [@Mr\_Hoogly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Hoogly)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/139 "2020-12-21T19:51:02Z")
Neither are ‘bad’ or ‘good’. It’s not as if with one party, minimum wage goes up 300% with every worker entitled to a free shiatzu in the morning. Peoples lives in developed countries aren’t often fundamentally, or at all, different under any of the major parties.
A therapist may have any number of of reasons to vote for any candidate, no therapist in the world agrees with every opinion of every person they see. Same with anyone in any position.
Every country has had a different covid strategy, Sweden tried herd immunity, is every Swede who supported that policy a scumbag as well?
I made the point exactly for that reason, because the original question may as well have been ‘every trump fan bad, agree with me’?
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### Author:  [@Mr\_Hoogly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Hoogly)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-looking-for-a-therapist-is-it-ok-to-ask-if-they-are-a-trump-supporter/928400/140 "2020-12-21T19:53:59Z")
What was the point of that reply?
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