When the Political Climate Is Personal: Why an LGBTQIA+ Therapist in St. Paul, MN Can Be a Safe Place to Process It All
For many people in the LGBTQIA+ community, politics isn’t just about government or the news—it can feel deeply personal. Each new debate or harsh headline might seem to challenge your right to exist and be accepted. If you ever feel a knot in your stomach when you hear about anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation or if you get anxious when politicians use hateful language, you are not being “too sensitive.” You are sensing a real threat to who you are or who you love. And you are not alone.
Having a safe place to express these emotions—to name and understand them—can make a huge difference. This is where LGBTQIA+ therapy can help. Seeing an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist in St. Paul, MN (or wherever you live) can give you a supportive space to deal with the stress that comes from feeling targeted by politics. Below, I’ll share ideas from Carl Jung, Glennon Doyle, and Hillary McBride about why therapy can be so important right now.
Individuation: Carl Jung’s Vision of Becoming Whole
Carl Jung introduced the idea of “individuation”—a process of growing into your truest self. It means finding and accepting all parts of who you are, including your dreams, fears, and hidden strengths. In a political climate that often divides people into “us versus them,” staying true to your whole self can feel like a challenge. But therapy offers a protected space to keep moving toward that wholeness.
Jung believed that when we push parts of ourselves away, we often feel pain. If you’re LGBTQIA+, especially during times of hostile political talk, you might hide your anger, sadness, or other emotions. You might stay silent so you don’t face even more conflict. A caring therapist, however, can help you look at those buried parts of yourself and bring them back into the light. When you do this, you often feel stronger and more at peace—because you’re no longer shutting down important parts of who you are.
Holding Space for Your Humanity
Glennon Doyle often says, “We can do hard things.” Sometimes, those hard things involve looking at how the outside world is affecting you inside. You might feel a pit in your stomach when a new law is passed or tense up when you talk politics with someone who disagrees. This can be draining, like you always have to be on alert.
Therapy with an LGBTQIA+-affirming counselor gives you a chance to put down that armor for a while. It’s a place where you can admit you’re tired, scared, or upset without worrying about judgment. It’s also a space to practice telling the truth about how you really feel. Glennon Doyle reminds us we don’t need to pretend we have it all together. In therapy, you learn that the authentic you—whether you’re angry, exhausted, hopeful, or somewhere in between—is worthy of being heard and cared for.
Listening to Your Body, Inspired by Hillary McBride
Hillary McBride’s work highlights how our bodies hold wisdom. When the world feels threatening, we often carry that stress in our bodies—through tension in our muscles, headaches, or a sense of heaviness. We might try to ignore these signals because they’re uncomfortable or scary, but ignoring them doesn’t make them go away.
An LGBTQIA+ therapist who understands how the mind and body connect can help you start noticing your physical signals. Maybe your neck tightens whenever you read a new headline, or your stomach churns when a certain topic comes up. Recognizing these feelings is the first step to releasing them. Over time, you might learn grounding exercises, mindfulness, or simply how to pay attention to your body’s messages. This can bring a sense of calm and help you handle stress more effectively.
Where Politics and the Personal Overlap
Some people like to say, “Politics is just talk,” but if you’re LGBTQIA+, you know it’s not just talk. Laws that affect healthcare, marriage, or schooling can directly change your life. For you, politics is personal.
Therapy can act as a kind of gentle resistance. Naming the ways these outside forces harm you helps you see that it’s not your fault. Instead of feeling ashamed or believing there’s something wrong with you, you learn to see that much of the problem lies in a society that doesn’t yet value all identities equally. Therapy helps you set boundaries between what belongs to you and what belongs to a flawed system.
Finding Yourself a Safe Place With an LGBTQIA+ Therapist in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN (and Beyond)
The Twin Cities of Minnesota can be both supportive and challenging for LGBTQIA+ individuals. It has a rich arts scene, progressive views, and an active queer community. Still, it’s part of a larger society that can be hostile in many ways. When you see an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist in your area, you’re talking to someone who gets the local culture and knows about your city’s resources. Having this shared context can help you feel more at ease.
Even if you don’t live in Minneapolis or St. Paul, the idea remains the same. It’s crucial to find a therapist who respects your identity, understands the political climate, and knows how both affect your mental health. Then, when the news feels overwhelming, you have someone to turn to—a guide who can help you stay centered.
Facing the Shadow and Finding Light
Carl Jung once said that we don’t become enlightened by imagining everything as good, but by looking honestly at our darkest parts. For LGBTQIA+ people, these “dark parts” could be the anger, fear, or sadness that builds up when leaders or communities question your right to exist. But once you bring these feelings into the open, they often lose their power to control you.
LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy shines a light on these hidden corners. It helps you use your painful feelings—anger, frustration, sadness—in ways that are healthier and more empowering. At the same time, therapy can remind you of the moments of hope that still exist: connecting with your community, celebrating personal victories, and finding allies who accept you for who you are.
You Can Do Hard Things—But Not Alone
Glennon Doyle’s mantra that “We can do hard things” isn’t about doing everything by yourself or never feeling weak. It’s about acknowledging when life is tough and asking for help anyway. No one is built to handle non-stop stress alone. By talking to a therapist who understands both your identity and the political climate you live in, you allow a caring witness into your story. This person can validate your experience, gently challenge unhelpful habits, and remind you that you have been strong all along.
Returning to Yourself
Hillary McBride teaches that healing often begins with gentleness toward ourselves and a stronger connection to our bodies. When politics gets overwhelming, it’s easy to lose touch with who we are inside and focus only on the outside world. Therapy invites you to come home to yourself—to be present with your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. You learn how to treat these parts of yourself with kindness rather than judgment.
Final Thoughts From an LGBTQIA+ Therapist
Right now, when politics feels like it’s hitting close to home, finding a safe space to talk can make all the difference. An LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist in Minneapolis or St. Paul, MN (or anywhere you call home) can help you explore the path to becoming whole, practice honesty and courage, and discover wisdom about connecting mind and body. Therapy can be that reliable ground where your identity, political struggles, and personal feelings come together in a place of true understanding.
If you feel worn out—or just want a place to breathe—consider reaching out to an affirming therapist. Beneath the headlines and heated debates, there is a real person: you. You have your own stories of resilience, courage, and love, and those stories deserve to be heard and honored by someone who truly understands.
Find Your Safe Space With Our LGBTQIA+ Therapists in St. Paul
At NobleTree Therapy, we understand how overwhelming it can feel when politics directly impacts your sense of safety and belonging. Navigating a world that questions your rights and identity is exhausting—but you don’t have to do it alone. Our compassionate, affirming LGBTQIA+ therapists in the Minneapolis area provide a safe, supportive space where you can process the stress of political uncertainty, reconnect with yourself, and find ways to protect your peace. Therapy is more than just a place to vent—it’s a space to heal, regain your strength, and reclaim your sense of self. If you’re ready to feel supported in the face of life’s challenges:
Learn more about our LGBTQIA+ therapy services
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Other Counseling Services Offered at NobleTree Therapy in Minnesota
At NobleTree Therapy we offer therapy for individuals, couples, and families, all delivered with understanding and a deep respect for your journey. Additionally, we specialize in areas such as creative expression, identity development, and navigating grief, so that way we can address the multifaceted challenges life presents. Our therapists are committed to fostering your healing and growth within a space where you are genuinely seen and valued.