Friday Conversation | Ep 134: Healing a Divided Nation: Applying Psychotherapy Principles with Phyllis Leavitt

In this insightful episode, we sit down with psychotherapist and author Phyllis Leavitt to discuss her powerful new book, America in Therapy. Leavitt explores how the principles of psychotherapy can be applied not only to personal healing but also to address the deep divides in our nation. She shares her own journey of healing and highlights the critical importance of addressing unhealed trauma in both individuals and society.

Throughout the conversation, we delve into the harmful policies that perpetuate division and conflict, and how they mirror dynamics found in abusive families. Leavitt also emphasizes the role of technology in widening these divides, while offering practical advice on how we can reconnect and foster empathy in an increasingly disconnected world.

Listeners will gain insights into the transformative power of therapy, the importance of human connection, and how small acts of kindness can spark both personal and societal healing. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or looking to better understand the broader crises affecting our world, this episode offers a thoughtful and hopeful perspective on how we can begin to heal, one step at a time.

Find Phyllis: https://phyllisleavitt.com/

Sound Bites

• "We could bring the healing principles and understandings of the best psychotherapy and psychology to help heal the great divides in our nation"
• "Seeking therapy is anything but a sign of weakness"
• "Get a recommendation from somebody who's worked with somebody that they felt really good about"
• "Just because we can do something technologically doesn't mean we should."
• "If we're not listening to the other person, they're not listening to us either."
• "There is light at the end of the tunnel."