Episode 237: Why Therapists Should Talk About Politics [featuring Lauren Roberts]

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Lauren Roberts, LPC, and ADHD-Certified Clinical Service Provider from South Louisiana, about the complexities and realities of therapists speaking (or not speaking) about politics in their practice. In today’s challenging climate—especially for marginalized and neurodivergent communities—this conversation feels more important than ever.Here are 3 key takeaways:Therapy is Political: Simply existing is political. For many clients, finding a therapist who affirms their values and needs isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Silence or neutrality can inadvertently alienate those who need support most.Relatability Equals Accessibility: How you show up online—on your website, in your bios, on social media—helps clients decide if you’re a safe person to call. Transparency about your values fosters agency for clients and ensures you’re the right fit for those searching for genuine support.Boundaries and Self-Care Are Essential: Advocacy comes with risk, especially online. Protecting your energy by setting boundaries (limiting comments, stepping away when needed, and being intentional about what you share) is crucial, especially if you’re neurodivergent or chronically ill.Whether you’re a therapist, coach, or just someone considering how to show up more authentically in your work, remember: clarity is kindness. Your community is looking for you.More about Lauren:Lauren Roberts is a Licensed Professional Counselor and ADHD Certified Clinical Service Provider (ADHD-CCSP) born and raised in South Louisiana. She transitioned from agency work into a group practice in 2021. Later that year, she helped build and launch a nonprofit that focused on providing quality, accessible mental health programs and resources to lower-income folks in her community. Over the next two years, she served as a clinical director for both the nonprofit and the associated group practice, mentoring and supporting counseling students and pre-licensed counselors as they explored how to show up authentically and sustainably in their work with clients.Now, she primarily works as an individual therapist in her own private practice, helping fellow anxious, neurodivergent, and chronically ill misfits to empower themselves to set boundaries, develop radical self-compassion, and process pain to move toward a more authentic life that honors their needs and values. Additionally, she facilitates a free local support group for anxious, neurodivergent folks learning to set boundaries, which has been meeting for 4 years.You can find Lauren online sharing memes, being silly, and approaching difficult topics to advocate for a more inclusive, radically kind world.Website: copinginchaos.comInstagram: instagram.com/copinginchaos–––––––––––––––––––––🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube✈️ Learn about Retreats🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community🗨️ Join the free All Things Private Practice FB Community–––––––––––––––––––––Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, Alma, & Portland, Maine, Summit 2026!✨ The Receptionist for iPadThanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.✨ AlmaThanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode. Alma empowers you to confidently accept insurance backed by an all-in-one EHR that simplifies scheduling, documentation, and day-to-day practice operations. With a network of engaged providers and free CE courses, Alma makes it easy for you to build the practice of your dreams on your terms. Alma believes that when therapists get the support they need, mental healthcare gets better for everyone. Learn more at helloalma.com/ATPP.✨ Portland, Maine, Summit 2026The 2026 Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway Summit is happening for the first time in the United States in beautiful Portland, Maine, on September 1st–3rd, 2026. Portland, Maine, is a beautiful coastal city in the Atlantic Ocean. There's a lot of history there, and it's a very funky, creative, safe, walkable, diverse, and progressive city. You will get 9 NBCC CEs. We have ASWB pending—we'll make an announcement when that's finalized—and have 13 prolific industry leaders. This summit has always been about showing that our skills are applicable in so many different ways, and to motivate you to think bigger, grow in this profession, take more risks, work through self-doubt, and really embrace the doubt-yourself-do-it-anyway mentality. Spots are limited. Reserve your ...