Dr. Phil, never one to shy away from controversy, takes on a hot-button issue in the mental health world: Is therapy becoming overly politicized? In the upcoming episode of “Dr. Phil Primetime,” airing Wednesday, January 22nd at 8:00 PM on Merit Street, the talk show host examines claims that some therapists may be prioritizing personal socio-political agendas over patient well-being.
The episode, titled “Activists, Agenda, and Bias. Is Therapy Under Attack?”, features guests with varying perspectives on this contentious topic. Claire, an 18-year-old, recounts her experience with a therapist whose political rant led her to terminate therapy. Dana, a mother, shares her concern that a therapist’s “social justice” focus created a rift between her and her daughter.
On the other side of the debate, Soad, a licensed therapist, defends her approach of challenging clients on social justice views she considers factually inaccurate, while Megan, a licensed clinical counselor, discusses the online backlash she’s received due to her political social media posts. Adding another perspective to the conversation, Dr. Hartz, founder of the Open Therapy Institute, discusses efforts to address and mitigate bias within the mental health field.
Dr. Phil, with his characteristically direct style, will undoubtedly steer the conversation toward the potential impact of therapist bias on patient trust and the effectiveness of treatment. Expect a lively and potentially heated discussion, highlighting the tricky intersection of mental health, personal beliefs, and professional ethics.
“Dr. Phil Primetime” airs weeknights at 8:00 PM on Merit Street.
