Between Us: A Psychotherapy Podcast Episode 59: Bad Faith Alone
Sep 17, 2025
Lara Sheehi, a professor and clinician renowned for her work on psychoanalysis and structural oppression, shares her experiences facing backlash for criticizing Israel. She discusses the complexities of political dissent and how simplified accusations can obscure deeper issues. Lara emphasizes the need to confront material inequalities and the challenges of genuine dialogue in conflict. Highlighting practices like reparations and the importance of acknowledging historical injustices, she calls for a reevaluation of how we engage with power dynamics in our healing practices.
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Bad Faith Simplifies Complex Truths
- John Totten frames 'bad faith' as obscuring truth to win, conflating political dissent with bigotry.
- This tactic simplifies complex realities and undermines therapeutic complexity.
Critique Versus Antisemitism Distinction
- Totten and Sheehi highlight that criticism of Israel is distinct from antisemitism and often framed otherwise for political ends.
- Sheehi typically critiques Israel 'in its current configuration' as an ethno-national state denying Palestinian equality.
Scapegoating As Institutional Fix
- Sheehi describes attempts to remove her as an institutional fix that scapegoats Arabs for antisemitism.
- Removing a critic serves ideological ends rather than addressing structural causes.
