- List three reasons that disclosing political beliefs can strengthen the therapeutic alliance.
- Identify two different interventions to manage client anxiety around political uncertainties.
- Determine three ways implicit bias can influence countertransference reactions.
- Develop a countertransference management plan centered on best practice from current literature and scholarship on this topic.
Navigate Politics in Therapy Without
Losing Your Ethics, Your Neutrality, or Yourself
Heated rants. Threatened sense of self. Moral outrage. Uneasiness around world events…
Politics are showing up in the therapy room whether we like it or not.
When clients want to talk politics, you can find yourself holding your breath knowing you’re navigating contentious terrain.
And let’s be honest — it’s not always easy to know what to do or how to keep your cool when your clients express views drastically different from your own.
Do you engage? Do you let them vent? You know how quickly these conversations can strain the therapeutic alliance, spiral into unproductive tirades, or consume sessions without helping the client move forward.
Which is precisely why we created this training, and the best part? It’s completely FREE!
Join ethics and boundaries expert Kirsten Lind Seal, PhD, LMFT, to help you gain clarity on ethical boundaries when discussing political topics in therapy, equipping you with tools to maintain professional integrity and foster open dialogue.
So sign up today at no cost and leave with a step-by-step guide for dealing with politics in therapy!
This is the only time this year we’re offering this best-selling training at no cost…
★ FREE Ethics Training ★
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Today — No Cost!
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Navigating the Political Minefield in Psychotherapy
The
Ethics of Self-Disclosure, Managing Countertransference and More
Presented by Ethics Expert Kirsten Lind Seal, PhD, LMFT
Live Online October 26, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Central
$169.99 Value
Can’t attend live? Register anyway for 3-day FREE access to the training!
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
Yet amidst the tension that politics can create, there is also opportunity…
These discussions can serve as a doorway into a client’s inner world, revealing layers of identity, personal history, values, and emotional responses. It’s a chance to explore the roots of their beliefs, and uncover the stories and experiences that have shaped them.
When approached with ethical clarity and intention, these moments can deepen the work rather than derail it. This free training provides a grounded framework for responding to political conversations in therapy while staying regulated, clinically effective, and focused on the client.
During this free training you will learn:
- How to know when therapist self-disclosure is clinically helpful and when it causes harm
- How to manage political countertransference before it impacts the therapeutic alliance
- Ethical decision-making strategies for charged or polarizing client material
- How to stay authentic without imposing your values
- Practical ways to turn political conversations into therapeutic insight
- A clear step-by-step approach for navigating politics in session calmly and professionally
This unique opportunity for a free ethics and political countertransference training may not come again…
And at no cost, you’ve got nothing to lose… And SO much to gain!
Register today!
See what your colleagues are saying about this
training!
“This training was very relevant. Many of our patients where I work
are deeply concerned about the impact of these policies — or lack of
— on their mental health and our society.”
— Linda J., Psychologist
“An amazing and thoughtful presentation! Thank you for presenting so
much research and compassionate insight.”
— Andrea G., Counselor
“As a 30-year social worker, it is hard to take CEUs that have new
information — this was one of the best trainings I have been to in a
while. The slides, your teaching pace, the information, the progression of
information were all so well done.”
— Rhonda A., Social Worker
“Excellent information and presentation. So helpful that it was well
organized and thoughtfully presented. Thank you.”
— Curtis B., Social Worker
“I found this training very helpful providing new information about
the ethics of my clinical work in light of the current political atmosphere
in which we are living.”
— Pamela T., Social Worker
Navigating the Political Minefield in Psychotherapy
The
Ethics of Self-Disclosure, Managing Countertransference and More
Live Online October 26, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Central
$169.99 Value
Can’t attend live? Register anyway for 3-day FREE access to the training!
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
Meet Your Trainer
Kirsten Lind Seal, PhD, LMFT, holds an MA in counseling psychology and a PhD in couple and family therapy from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Lind Seal teaches ethics at two universities and regularly conducts trainings on ethics and cross-cultural issues at the local, regional and national level. She is currently adjunct associate professor at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and core ethics faculty (adjunct) at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Dr. Lind Seal’s research has been published in Psychology Today, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, and Family Process. She has published several case studies and an ethics-focused “In Consultation” piece in the Psychotherapy Networker.
She has a completely virtual private practice where she works with individuals, couples and families, and offers ethics consultations to colleagues. She has been interviewed as a content expert by MPR, CNN.com, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and for the last 9 years has been a regular on-air contributor on Relationship Reboot, a weekly segment on relationships on WCCO TV’s Channel 4 (CBS Twin Cities).
Glowing Reviews for Dr. Kirsten Lind Seal
★★★★★
“Dr. Seal is an accomplished speaker who is enjoyable to listen to. Her grasp of Ethics from teaching, research, and supervision allows her to address conflict dynamics effectively.”
— Leslie P.
★★★★★
“Dr. Lind Seal was very knowledgeable and presented useful information to be used in daily practice.”
— Megan S.
★★★★★
“I appreciated Dr. Seal’s responses to questions from the attendees. She expressed empathy for common challenges that therapists named. Also invited ideas from participants.”
— Martha B.
★★★★★
“Dr. Seal is a great trainer with lots of experience and knowledge base. Very ‘real’ and authentic.”
— Josh T.
★★★★★
“I really liked Kirsten. ‘Here’s another lesson from the universe’. That made me laugh and it was almost like having a one-on-one conversation. Super chill and calm.”
— Mary S.
★★★★★
“Kirsten is incredibly knowledgeable as she does her research — so helpful for all of us!”
— Lori A.
Navigating the Political Minefield in Psychotherapy
The
Ethics of Self-Disclosure, Managing Countertransference and More
Live Online October 26, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Central
$169.99 Value
Can’t attend live? Register anyway for 3-day FREE access to the training!
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
What You’ll Learn During This Free Training
October 26, 2026 • 9:00am – 12:30pm Central
Political Self-Disclosure and the Therapeutic Alliance
- Define political self-disclosure
- Therapist political self-disclosure vs. therapist self-disclosure
- Steps to build alliance when politics clash
- Techniques to find common ground with divergence around political belief systems
- Uncover similarities between client and clinician
- Reasons for and against self-disclosure
- Strong countertransference reactions with divergent political belief systems
- Therapeutic outcomes with convergent political beliefs
- Impact of political discussions on other clinical issues
Relevant Ethical Principles of Political Self-Disclosure with Clients
- 6 basic principles of ethical practice
- Relevant professional ethical codes (AAMFT, APA, ACA, NASW)
The Role of Implicit Bias in Countertransference Situations
- Understand the neuroscience basis for implicit bias
- Actionable steps for managing implicit bias and countertransference
- Differential effects of political versus other types of implicit bias
Strengthen Own Capacity for Managing Countertransference
- Lead indicators of countertransference
- Frequent politically-based countertransference situations
- Common risks and benefits of countertransference
- Create ongoing countertransference management plan
- Overcome barriers to implementing a countertransference management plan
- Discern particular and germane characteristics for self
- Plan for and apply appropriate learning program for self-awareness
Understand and Explore Collective Trauma Response
- Viktor Frankl’s “pause before response”
- Trauma triggers from both sides of the political aisle
- Relevant collective trauma research to current political climate
- Limitations of the research and potential risks
Navigating the Political Minefield in Psychotherapy
The
Ethics of Self-Disclosure, Managing Countertransference and More
Live Online October 26, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Central
$169.99 Value
Can’t attend live? Register anyway for 3-day FREE access to the training!
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
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Our goal at PESI, Inc. is simple – connect knowledge with need. And over the last few years, thanks to the generosity of our expert speakers, authors, and the support of therapists like you, we’ve had the amazing opportunity to provide professional training to more therapists than ever — FOR FREE.
Join Kirsten Lind Seal, PhD, LMFT at this completely free event today and take the knowledge and insight you learn into your very next session. This event is our way of supporting you and your clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are working to navigate political conversations in therapy with clarity, confidence, and ethical integrity, this training offers practical support. Participants gain concrete strategies for managing political countertransference, making sound decisions about therapist self-disclosure, and responding skillfully when clients introduce charged or polarizing beliefs into session.
This training is designed for:
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Psychologists
- Case Managers
- Therapists
- Marriage & Family Therapists
- Other Mental Health Professionals
No catch. Over the last few years, thanks to the generosity of our expert speakers and the
support of therapists like you, we’ve had the amazing opportunity to provide professional
training to more therapists than ever.
Just register today above with your name and email, then click the “LIVE CE” button
on the next page to purchase your credit package for just $69.99 (discounted from $169.99)
— only available for those who register here and purchase before the end of the webinar.
Yes! Just register above and then click the “Self Study” CE button on the next page
and purchase the recording package. You’ll get unlimited access to the training and will
be able to earn self-study CE.
YES! You’ll be able to engage with the presenter and chat with colleagues throughout the
presentation.
October 26th from 9:00am – 12:30pm CT. There will be a 15-minute break during the training
at the speaker’s discretion.
Yes, anyone who registers will get 3 days access to watch the archived recording once it is made
available.
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Navigating the Political Minefield in Psychotherapy
The
Ethics of Self-Disclosure, Managing Countertransference and More
Live Online October 26, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Central
$169.99 Value
Can’t attend live? Register anyway for 3-day FREE access to the training!
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
*After you register, upgrade to receive up to 3.25 CE hours and/or get the lifetime access recording.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Register for this intensive training course without risk. If you're not completely
satisfied, give us a call at 800-844-8260.We’re that confident you’ll find this learning experience to be all that’s promised and more than you expected.
