Chapter 194 “Friends, Romans and Countrymen”—Political Discussions In Group

In the wake of the contentious presidential election of 2016, my therapy groups have been galvanized, and at times, have become polarized, as members vent their feelings about the results.  While members have the right to share their reactions and concerns, some of these discussions have gone on for too long.   These emotionally charged exchanges between members at best are cathartic, at their worst, they can be abusive.  In either case, they do not constitute a healing, corrective group therapy experience.    To one particularly vociferous   chap, who was deriving too much pleasure as he misused the group as his bully pulpit,  I said: “ Take the next flight to London, get a soap box and head straight to ‘Speaker’s Corner’ in Hyde Park”.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           One might ask: “How long is too long?”  Good question.  The key is whether the discussion leads to progressive emotional communication between members. Heated diatribes do not meet that criteria.  In fact, it is my considered opinion that, in general, political discussions in group therapy are a resistance to the contract;” say how you feel toward the people in the room and why you feel that way”. I’ll take that one step further; repetitive, disrespectful political rants disguised as group interactions are an indirect attack on the leader’s authority.  After all, the leader sets down the ground rules for group interactions, diversions from the contract are an indirect defiance of the leader.

When in my estimation, the forward motion of group discussions about the election have come to an impasse, I’ll say: “What’s the group’s assessment of the leadership here? Does the group have a problem with me?”  More often than not, these questions lead to an airing of  long held, unexpressed grievances about me and my rules.