“Empty is the argument of the philosopher that does not relieve human suffering.” Epicurus
“You can’t solve your problems using the same thinking that got you into those problems in the first place.” Einstein
I understand philosophical counselling to be an alternative to psychotherapy and hypnotherapy. It is non-pathologising, and aims as a guide to living a good life. I believe the value of good philosophical counselling has three key elements
- To guide clients to critically explore their own meaning, purpose, values and choices. This means asking clean (non-judgmental) questions to help reveal and challenge core beliefs, thoughts, feeling and actions that shape the story of who they are.
- To provide philosophical skills and concepts in dialogue with clients. This involves employing critical thinking where appropriate, to question some of client’s assumptions and to promote dialogue that allows for clear thinking and reasoning.
- A good practitioner has a deep and wide philosophical knowledge of what a good life might be and how to skilfully navigate a plurality of possibilities that suits their client’s own investigation.
In short, I see myself as a philosophical guide to discovering a good life suited to client’s personality and needs.
Here is a wide range of issues philosophical counselling can help with
- Belief systems issues: Examining and clarifying core beliefs and values to identify inconsistencies in thought and behaviour
- Existential issues: questions of identity, freedom, aging and death
- Ethical dilemmas: helping navigate and make difficult ethical choices in personal or professional context
- Life transitions issues: navigating major life changes e.g. career changes or midlife crises
- Meaning and purpose issues: finding purpose in life and questioning what a good life is
- Relationships: Working through conflicts in one’s relationship with oneself and significant others
- Stress and anxiety issues: Developing a deeper understanding of thoughts and emotions and how they may induce stress
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