In this 23rd episode of Virtuous Leaders Podcast, Dr. Johann D'Souza interviews Dr. Andrew Hartz, founder of the Open Therapy Institute, about sociopolitical biases in mental healthcare. They discuss how these biases lead to neglect of significant patient issues and the institute's mission to reform mental health services.

Key Discussion Points:

• Addressing overlooked issues in therapy, such as political stress, masculinity, self-censorship, and challenges faced by conservatives and faith-based clients.

• Therapists' struggles when engaging with patients holding differing views and the potential for patients to feel invalidated.

• Strategies for therapists and patients grappling with self-censorship, including building connections and developing communication skills.

• Dr. Hartz's personal experiences that motivated him to establish the Open Therapy Institute.

• Membership options, workshops, and research initiatives available through the institute for clinicians.

Timestamp:

00:00:00 - Introduction and mission of the Open Therapy Institute

00:02:56 - Helping clients with traditional values and those who self-censor

00:04:00 - Lack of training for therapists on faith-based issues

00:07:23 - Argument for including faith-based issues in therapy training

00:10:07 - Secret lists of acceptable providers due to bias

00:11:43 - Critique of therapists labeling patients as problematic

00:14:01 - Four levels of bias in therapists 00:16:32 - Diagram of overlooked issues due to sociopolitical bias

00:22:06 - Strategies for addressing self-censorship

00:30:28 - Dr. Hartz's personal journey in founding the institute

00:40:05 - Problematization of gender-related signifiers

00:45:02 - Need for psychology to help people respond to social changes

00:46:04 - Open Therapy Institute's current projects and opportunities

Resources and Links:

Listen to ⁠⁠this Episode⁠⁠ on Apple Podcast.

Watch ⁠⁠⁠this ⁠podcast video⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube.

Open Therapy Institute