Abstract
Current events and the broader sociopolitical climate can impact individuals’ mental health and wellness. This impact varies from person to person and is influenced by race, gender, ethnicity, other cultural identities, and experiences of oppression. Therapists can acknowledge the role of the macrosystem on clients’ functioning by broaching current events in session. Broaching, a key multicultural counseling skill, can support both the therapeutic relationship and progress toward treatment goals. By integrating insights from Bronfenbrenner’s (1977) ecological model with recommendations from Day-Vines et al. (2020). Multidimensional Model of Broaching Behavior, we conceptualize current events as a cultural opportunity in therapy and describe clinical considerations for determining when and how to broach effectively. Through an example case study focused on reproductive health care policy, we analyze a variety of broaching prompts to engage clients in processing the impact of current events on their lives. Special considerations for broaching current events include the salience of the current event, positionalities represented in the therapy dyad, and therapist cultural comfort and nondefensiveness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)