Dr. Nafees Alam and Matt Watson interview Andrew Hartz, founder of the Open Therapy Institute. They discuss the impact of political issues on mental health training, the importance of addressing bias in therapy, and the need for cultural competence that includes diverse sociopolitical values. Hartz shares insights on diverse approaches in therapy, the significance of self-censorship, and the challenges of navigating emotional responses in therapy sessions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care and building awareness of diverse perspectives in mental health.
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Join us for our August Liberalism in Practice Panel Discussion Livestream - Bridging Perspectives: Cultivating Pluralism in the Classroom
As students nationwide anticipate the start of a compelling new school year, our distinguished panel explores the inspirational and actionable dimensions of embedding pluralism within educational settings. Mike Whitenton from Interfaith America will outline innovative approaches his organization employs to equip institutions in navigating differences—spanning religious, cultural, and ideological realms—to foster collaboration and deeper mutual insight. Nafees Alam will introduce his engaging point-counterpoint methodology, designed to instill in students the discipline of empathetic perspective-taking. Matt Watson from ProSocial Workers will explore the profound implications of viewpoint diversity and bridge-building skills in professional spheres and interpersonal dynamics.
Join us for our August Liberal Values Lab - Classical Education Properly Understood is Inevitably Radical, Not Conservative
When we hear the phrase ‘classical education’ in a K-12 context, the assumption is that we are in the company of educators holding a conservative perspective, in many cases including educators with conservative Christian (or in rare cases Jewish) religious convictions. But if – as these educators certainly claim – we are going to read the canon of the great books with seriousness and open-mindedness, the results are more likely to be radical than conservative. This talk will provide arguments to support this perhaps surprising claim.
