Even outside the United States, the American election is a high-stakes, emotionally charged event with wide-reaching implications. For Canadians, the U.S. election often brings feelings of anxiety, frustration, and helplessness, as political shifts south of the border influence Canada’s own economy, environment, and social policies. The intense media coverage, divisive rhetoric, and the broader implications of the election can take a toll on Canadians’ mental well-being.
The U.S. election often affects Canadians in ways that feel personal and immediate. While Canadians aren’t voting in the U.S. election, many feel as though the stakes are high for Canada’s own future, and this can trigger a variety of mental health challenges:
Cross-Border Anxiety: Given the close relationship between the U.S. and Canada, changes in American leadership can have major impacts on trade, immigration, climate policy, and other areas that affect Canadians’ daily lives. This cross-border interdependence can lead to anxiety about what might change in Canada due to shifts in U.S. policies.
Fear of Political Instability: The polarized political landscape in the U.S. can feel destabilizing to Canadians, particularly when intense media coverage highlights conflict and division. Many Canadians feel anxious about how this instability could affect Canada, either through economic disruptions or by influencing social tensions.
Overwhelmed by Media and Social Media Exposure: The extensive media coverage of the U.S. election can lead to “election fatigue,” leaving Canadians feeling overwhelmed and emotionally drained. Social media adds to this, as Canadians may feel pressure to stay informed or engage in discussions, even though they have limited control over the outcome.
Existential Concerns about Global Issues: The U.S. plays a large role in addressing global issues like climate change, healthcare, and human rights. For Canadians who care deeply about these issues, the outcome of the U.S. election can feel as though it impacts the whole world, heightening feelings of helplessness or despair.
Given these challenges, it’s no surprise that the U.S. election cycle can have a significant mental health impact on Canadians. However, dynamic psychotherapy can offer powerful tools for understanding and managing these complex emotions.
What is Dynamic Psychotherapy?
Dynamic psychotherapy, also known as psychodynamic therapy, is a therapeutic approach focused on exploring the underlying causes of emotional and psychological distress. Rather than simply addressing symptoms, dynamic therapy aims to uncover unconscious beliefs, unresolved conflicts, and past experiences that may influence how we respond to current events.
This type of therapy can be particularly beneficial during high-stress periods like the U.S. election, as it allows Canadians to make sense of their reactions, build resilience, and find a stable inner foundation even when the world feels uncertain.
Processing Anxiety and Finding Meaning: The uncertainty surrounding U.S. elections often brings up deep-seated fears and anxieties, especially related to economic stability, social issues, and global concerns. Dynamic psychotherapy provides a safe space for Canadians to unpack and explore these emotions, helping them understand why certain issues feel particularly triggering. By delving into these feelings, individuals can gain a greater sense of control and find meaning in their emotional responses, leading to reduced anxiety.
Uncovering Unconscious Beliefs and Reframing Powerlessness: Many Canadians may feel powerless as they watch the U.S. election unfold, knowing they have no direct influence on the outcome. Dynamic therapy helps clients examine these feelings of helplessness, which may be connected to past experiences of feeling unheard or unable to make a difference. By reframing these beliefs, individuals can learn to separate what they can and cannot control, finding empowerment even in challenging situations.
Building Resilience Amid External Instability: The political climate in the U.S. can sometimes feel volatile, which can be unsettling for Canadians who value stability and social cohesion. Dynamic psychotherapy can help clients develop a more resilient sense of self, focusing on building inner stability and identifying personal values that ground them. With a stronger inner foundation, individuals are better equipped to manage the effects of external events that feel beyond their control.
Navigating Relationships and Social Tensions: Political discussions about the U.S. election can strain relationships when people have differing views. Dynamic therapy provides a space for clients to explore these relational tensions, helping them understand their own reactions and approach relationships with greater empathy and patience. Through therapy, Canadians can find healthy ways to set boundaries, engage in difficult conversations, or distance themselves from toxic discussions without feeling disconnected.
Developing Healthy Boundaries with Media Consumption: The nonstop coverage of the U.S. election can lead to information overload and burnout. Dynamic psychotherapy helps individuals recognize the impact of media on their mental health and develop healthier boundaries around news and social media consumption. A therapist might encourage a client to take intentional breaks, limit exposure to distressing content, and focus on activities that bring joy and a sense of calm.
Finding Purpose and a Sense of Agency: For Canadians who feel strongly about issues affected by U.S. policy, such as climate change or human rights, dynamic therapy can help them find purpose and ways to take meaningful action. A therapist may guide clients in exploring what they can do within their own communities or personal lives, such as volunteering for local causes, getting involved in Canadian political issues, or advocating for change closer to home. This sense of agency helps reduce feelings of helplessness and directs their energy in constructive ways.
The U.S. election can be a stressful and emotionally charged time for Canadians, bringing up concerns that feel both immediate and far-reaching. Dynamic psychotherapy offers Canadians a powerful tool for understanding and processing these feelings, building resilience, and finding stability even in uncertain times. By exploring the deeper causes of election-related stress, dynamic therapy can help individuals feel more grounded, empowered, and mentally prepared for whatever lies ahead.
As we navigate the ongoing influence of U.S. politics on Canadian life, having a therapeutic space to process emotions and build inner resilience can make a meaningful difference. With dynamic psychotherapy, Canadians can approach these external events with clarity, emotional insight, and a renewed sense of control over their mental well-being.
If you want to explore your reaction to the US election, contact me for a free consultation.