AIBU to stop therapy after learning my therapist’s husband is Reform?

[CanyonRider]

I live in a small town. I started having therapy maybe a year ago. I feel it’s been working for me and I like my therapist. However I realised today that she is (very very recently) married to a man who recently stood and won as a reform councillor in our local election. I detest reform. I’m married to an immigrant (EU citizen) and am delighted that my kids are dual nationals and have the option of travelling, working and living in the EU should they desire. I’m also very pro the transition to green energy. I have solar and drive an EV. Finally I cannot stand Farage and the political grift embodied by people like him and Jenrick and am dismayed by the harms caused by Brexit.

My therapist is also an EU national and is here under indefinite leave to remain - as is my wife.
Read a few interviews with her husband today and he spouts the usual anti EU, anti immigration, anti green transition rhetoric you’d expect from Reform. I don’t feel comfortable continuing therapy with someone who’s married to a reform politician, and am very surprised that she is comfortable with his views and by extension those of Farage.

Am I overreacting?

If she sympathises with her husbands views she shouldn’t be a therapist.

Perhaps she doesn't know that her husband's a Reform Councillor? She might be just as shocked as you were when she finds out!!

And have views that aren’t suitable for being a therapist.

Then they wonder why I talk about fascism.

It is freedom of choice. Like in dating.
Do you have a problem with freedom when people do not use freedom in ways you approve of?

It is also ethical discernment. People draw their boundaries according to their conscience. Human nature is not an ism.

It’s not fascism for some people to not have the right skills or views for a job- would have thought any Reform member would agree. Funny thing is
with Reform their views only ever work one way. Patients are paying a lot of money for therapy and deserve the right people with the right skills. Kindness, empathy, the ability to listen(all things missing from Reform)are key.

If the therapist has an unusual name and is easily connected to her husband I’d suspect it’s slim pickings for clients.

I didn’t know about Rob Kenyon but here’s a précis https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz92vgg9dygo

As an aside, years ago when I moved house the new water company created an account for me in the name of Mr Robert Kenyon. Some of the letters in his name are the same as mine, but I’m a woman not named Robert. When I received the first bill I contacted them to change it, and they refused to speak to me as they could only discuss the account with the account holder, Mr Kenyon. Took ages to sort out.

Because internet forums let people have discussions and learn from others and make connections beyond their immediate circle.

What attracts anyone to Mumsnet?

You talk about fascism because you don’t know what it is and randomly apply it to anything.

Perhaps not if the town is voting for Reform councillors. Not sure if the op provides a service but she / he might be out of step locally. The therapist or others might even read this thread.

All subjective. You may think like that but it's a good job not everyone is as bigoted. Determining people's fitness for their posts based on their political leaning? Draconian, controlling and yes, fascist. You don't get to decide everything. Seeing these posts makes me think politics should be a protected characteristic. Talk about regressive. Like the answers would be the same if this were Labour in question.

I’m also a retired therapist (as is another poster). I would feel extremely uncomfortable about this. I totally agree with you. I suggest you talk to your therapist about this. If you don’t feel happy afterwards find another one.

@allsorts Don't patronise me.

I think YABU- your therapists husbands political persuasion is really non of your business. I can think of no way that this would have any impact on your therapy sessions, nor did it prior to you making this discovery. I think it’s extremely childish. But by all means if you cannot stand the fact people might have different opinions to you, then go find another therapist…

Just wondering how far you're willing to take this?
I mean... do you take into account the PERSONAL views of your GP? Dentist? Physio?
No- because you don't know them- just like you don't know the personal views of your therapist.
And even if you did...
A- none of your business.
B- its a totally separate issue as to how well she does her job.

Why does he feel the need to do this? Genuinely asking.

Eta: Ah. Just seen the drip feed.

If she didn’t agree with him then surely her opinion would be “I can’t marry a man with such terrible political views”.

Yes

Having Reform type views is less of an issue if you’re a dentist. Not pleasant and something I’d be weighing up carefully but not so much of an issue. They could be catastrophic in therapy.

I'm 100% sure none of my friends vote Reform. If I knew anyone holding those views they wouldn't be my friend.

Most doctors are politically left leaning.

I used to know someone who flew these flags in his garden a long time before the Raise the Colours shite. He did it because he was militantly left wing and wanted to reclaim the flag.

As far as i can see, Reform have acted pretty swiftly and decisvely on dealing with racism in their ranks.

What do you mean by that? What do you think the therapist should do if she sees this thread?

Not everyone votes the same way as their spouse/partner. My DH tends to vote Labour and I vote Green. Of course both left but different parties. She may vote Tory, or Labour even- you don’t know!

Either way, I don’t think you should reject a person on the basis of their political party of choice. If you get on with them and the professional relationship works then who cares.