Bridging the Aisles

I have hesitated writing about my viewpoints on the political atmosphere in this country for many reasons. First of all, I am a therapist and not a Political Scientist. I don’t have any knowledge of politics at all but have sure been learning an earful through my clientele.  Secondly, I am in this profession to empower people in making the best choices they can for themselves. People are the experts on themselves, if I was to share my opinion, it is “My” opinion and something I would do for myself. I am not them, they are. Each of us is on our own paths anyway. Do I want everyone to walk my path? Absolutely not. There is only space in this world for one Dr. Scott. Thirdly, it is important for me to give people the proper space to speak their mind and discover what their real feelings are deep inside. So then what do I do with my own feelings?

Self-care is important for us therapists. What if somebody comes into the counseling room and talks about a murder they committed or even worse? You would think this is rare, but I’ve heard tons of things that made my skin crawl. My heart to this day goes out to soldiers who were in combat. They lived the horrors, my hearing about it is one step removed. Though in this recent political race, the imaginings of people coming in for my counsel felt traumatic as well.  

With the “I’m right, and their wrong” attitudes how do we bridge the gap? I wouldn’t trade my job for the world, I think it is also beautiful to actually sit and listen to both sides of the aisle because both have some beautiful points to make. I think that is what amazes me – people are often saying the same things, but from different perspectives. Since we are not so far off in our bottom line morals, then a little effort to bridge the aisles and get both political parties to agree to work together could move the mountain we are in desperate need of.

If you are old enough to vote you are old enough to remember how polarized Democrats and Republicans have been. Taking a step back and from a neutral place, it is easy to see that both want the same thing, though how they want to achieve it is vastly different. Isn’t it time to go after the ultimate goal and achieve what is really wanted by both through cooperation?

This is why I am a therapist because I tend to simplify things and try to do the John MacKay thing to work on an outcome together. But, hey, I know there are political types that can rip this article apart because in all honesty, both sides don’t always want the same thing. Therefore I will stay away from political life. I probably wouldn’t survive the primaries anyway because I am too open-hearted and would never bash my opponent. I would openly tell people about my past substance use and bouts of depression. Running on a platform for mental health wouldn’t be as popular anyway because of our trying to keep up our status as the number one world power. Though I can still dream of the day where our budget is more concerned with feeding the hungry, giving everybody the opportunity to work for a good wage, having a great education, be supported in business, having time off to vacation or relax, and solving diseases of all types. Not to mention space exploration – our next frontier. And yes I am a Treky.

So, the real issue is bridging the aisles and how is this done? I am a huge fan of the work by Dr. Carl Rogers the innovator of Person-Centered Therapy. He used to conduct Encounter Groups and brought together people from opposing sides of an issue. I think he is most famous for his Camp David Accord between Israel and Egypt where after weeks of negotiation they were able to form an alliance. Unfortunately, that was short-lived after hearing this, Anwar Sadat was assassinated once he returned to Egypt. Still, the premise is a good one, let people talk and work things out.

I can understand the Civil Unrest that is going on in this country. When people don’t get heard it can be so frustrating they will enact desperate deeds to get their point across. Why not let people be heard? Dr. Rogers used to set up a huge circus tent, have people agree to no violence, and then he would facilitate the gathering. In his book, A Way of Being, he describes where at first there is absolute madness in the room where people scream across the aisles. This was to be expected because often people have harbored resentments for decades and even centuries. But as the encounter groups continued, something magical took place – both sides would realize how similar they were – they loved their families, cared deeply for them and their fellow man, and then could recognize this in the opposing group.

We are at a place that together we stand and divided we fall. It doesn’t take a dummy to see that we have been falling thanks to, in big part – COVID. Yes, as we hunker inside, cannot work, have no distractions, it was only a matter of time for things to blow. And they did. Substance use has skyrocketed, unemployment (and don’t pay attention to what the government is reporting – people aren’t working), domestic violence is out of control, divorce rates… Shoot, my business has been overcrowded because of the rise in mental illness alone.

We solve this by bridging the aisles, talking things out, compromising, and realizing that the person on the other side of the aisle isn’t an enemy but just like me.  

Compassionate Care is Always Available

There are many more tools and strategies you can use in your pursuit of happiness. Here is where we come in. Contact us at Basic Steps Mental Health and let us support and educate you on this journey back to your loving heart center. Imagine living a heart-centered life, regardless of what is happening externally. We’d love to be of help.

For 25 years, Dr. Scott Alpert, the clinical director of Basic Steps Mental Health, has treated over 7,000 people with mental health and addiction problems, using a Psychological approach that mixes and matches ten of the top approaches used in the industry.  We are here virtually and in-person to help you get through this COVID-19 pandemic and many other difficulties you may be experiencing.

May you have good mental health.