What Is Philosophical Counseling?

Philosophical counseling might seem like a new invention…

In a way, it is a “new approach to counseling” and is still in its pioneering stages. Really, though, it’s as old as philosophy itself. The ancient Greeks (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and the Epicureans) saw philosophy as an educational activity AND a kind of therapy for the soul — one that eased suffering, developed personal integrity, encouraged self-mastery, created justice, and cultivated the good life.

To understand what philosophical counseling is all about, let’s start here:

When our lives are filled with problems…

Those problems are often rooted in how we think. Our thoughts influence how we feel, desire, choose… and how we act and relate to others.

But most of the time, we don’t notice our thinking patterns. They run on auto-pilot, fueled by old habits and assumptions of which we remain unaware.

For instance, somewhere along the way, you may have picked up the belief that you are not “allowed” to pursue the career or lifestyle of your dreams. Mainstream notions of success have stamped themselves on your brain, and some voice inside you tells you that you’ll have to get comfortable in a cubicle, working yourself until you’re ill so that you can buy a big house you’ll rarely see.

Those “other” dreams – the ones filled with exploration, creativity, autonomy, and flexibility – those dreams are “not legit” or “too risky for a person like you.”

You’ve never had the chance to question the voice making these judgments and demanding these things of you. You haven’t had the chance to examine whether the norms and values it expresses are healthy or toxic. You’ve never tested whether its claims hold up under examination.

But that voice seems so powerful!

It speaks with such authority!

Because of that, you’ve probably decided to be a “good girl” or “good boy” and do what it says, right?

And over time, it’s led you to the conclusion that you’re stuck in your current situation with no way out.

Things are the way they must be.

There’s nothing you can do, even though you’re miserable.

And that right there has become your core belief.

Now, you feel powerless.

Isolated.

Depressed.

Your self-esteem is in the tank because you’re not living according to your values and aspirations.

You go through the motions all day, and when you come home, you’re so exhausted that all you can do is escape into Netflix and cookie dough.

Your passions have withered. You’ve forgotten how to dream. You’re overcome by emptiness.

Living on auto-pilot can leave us feeling confused, alienated, worthless, defeated, aimless, and swimming in a sea of meaninglessness.

What if you could slow down and examine how you think?

You might better grasp your perspective on the world and your assumptions about your role in it. You might even have the chance to ask questions about them:

What evidence is there for and against my way of seeing the world?

Do I really have no agency?

Am I obliged to agree with other people’s judgments of success?

How does my way of seeing things serve me? How does it trip me up at times?

Can I really find personal fulfillment by pursuing someone else’s aspirations?

Am I stunting my growth by believing I have no choices?

Are there alternative points of view I could or should consider?

Are there windows of freedom in my life that I haven’t considered or taken advantage of?

If we could slow down and examine our ways of thinking – our beliefs, assumptions, interpretations, judgments, and values – we might be able to identify, evaluate, and ultimately adjust a few things that aren’t working for us and cultivate greater clarity, breadth, and depth in our worldview.

That’s the path of deeper understanding and self-understanding. That’s an education for the soul! As Socrates believed, it all starts with “know thyself.”

But it’s not just educative, it’s empowering, too.

You see, the work of examining and revising our assumptions can have a big impact on our future actions and reactions. If we can carefully revise our assumptions and articulate our new insights, we can apply those new insights to our actions in a deliberate way. That means we can live with greater intention and self-determination. And right there? That’s empowerment.

I’m here to help you develop a regular practice of self-examination and deliberate action.

When we get right down to it, philosophical counseling is a collaborative, conversational activity in which you and a trained philosopher work through your life problems by first identifying and examining the operating beliefs, values, and habits of action that inform your problems… and then, step by step, working to revise them and create a more intentional, empowered, and fulfilling life.

A regular practice of self-examination and deliberate action is at the heart of what we do in philosophical counseling, and it has a tradition going back to Socrates. It has the power to increase understanding, purpose, freedom, integrity, and authenticity in our lives.

It also has the power to transform many of the emotional culprits that cause us suffering, like fear, dread, angst, anger, depression, excessive attachment, jealousy, resentment, low self-esteem, and guilt. In fact, the ancient Greek philosophers saw philosophy as a kind of medicine for the soul.

That’s because when you think in new ways, you also start to feel, care, and desire in new ways, too… and the fundamental way you approach and experience the world begins to shift.

You might be surprised how quickly some of your old feelings change when you have a new realization or try out a new perspective in philosophical counseling.

Examining the thoughts behind the feelings can pave the way for major life transformation and healing.

So, it turns out that philosophical counseling is a process that is educative, empowering, and therapeutic. It’s a triple threat!

You might be wondering whether your problems are “philosophical.”

Most of the time, we characterize our problems in terms of a particular relationship we’re struggling with, a big life change, or a feeling of sadness, loss, confusion, loneliness, frustration, powerlessness, burnout, or worry. But those problems are often signs of deeper philosophical issues we’re dealing with surrounding:

Core beliefs and truths…

You might not be sure what you believe. You might not know what’s worth believing or how to figure that out. You might even be having a crisis of disillusionment, where everything you once believed looks like a lie, and now you’re staring into the void. A little unsettling, eh? I know.

Critical thinking…

You might need some help questioning old assumptions and critically examining them. It can be hard to recognize old assumptions that are completely ingrained in your life. You might need an outsider to point them out so you can discuss them.

Clear reasoning and consistency…

When overwhelmed by fear, grief, or stress, it can be easy to think in binary “black and white” ways, catastrophize everything, draw outrageous conclusions, or get confused by inconsistent beliefs (which only compounds all the stress). Some logical analysis can help you get back on track and calm down some of those feelings.

Creative thinking…

Your thinking might be in a rut. Perhaps old habits have set in. Or maybe there are some rigid cultural norms you’ve inherited that you can’t seem to shake. It might be time to try on some fresh perspectives and diversify your thinking. You’re in luck because the history of philosophy is filled with different points of view that can open your mind.

Meaning, purpose, and fulfillment…

Not knowing the point of your life and losing your sense of meaning is one of the most common philosophical crises – an existential crisis. It tends to be at the root of many forms of depression and anxiety. Philosophers have many different insights about sources of meaning and can help you explore your purpose.

Freedom, responsibility, and self-determination…

Do you wonder how you can be more in charge of your actions, reactions, and direction in life? How can you seize your power to choose? How do you decide between various long-term goals and short-term possibilities? (Ah, the old fork in the road!) We often forget that we DO have choices to make, and we let old beliefs, habits, and inertia hold us back. Philosophers can help you explore ways of moving forward again.

Social power…

When you feel powerless, it’s probably not “all in your head.” Something is likely going on in your social environment that’s contributing to that feeling. It is likely not just a feeling but a “situation” in which you find yourself. What is there to understand here? What can you do about it? Social-political philosophers spend a lot of time analyzing how social power works, considering its effects, questioning what forms of power are legit versus unjust, and trying to figure out how to maintain your freedom and humanity in all of it. Philosophers can help you figure out how to push back.

Ethics, values, justice…

We all face questions about what we should care about most. What should come first in our lives? What are the highest values worth working for? We also face questions about what it means to “do the right thing.” What should our guiding principles be, and why? What does integrity look like? How do we make sure that we treat others (and ourselves) fairly? What do we do when we’re stuck in an ethical dilemma? Or a situation of ethical corruption? A long tradition of ethics and moral philosophy proposes a variety of answers. Learning a few frameworks can help you analyze and deal with these questions.

Change, loss, and death…

“Why won’t things stay the same?” “How do I cope with loss?” “How do I face the fact that I will not live forever?” These are three of the toughest issues that all humans have to face. (Damn human condition!) They cause a whole lot of anxiety for a whole lot of people. Philosophers are ready to talk about different ways to think about and cope with these things.

Identity and authenticity…

“Who am I, anyway?” “Who do I want to be?” Perhaps you once answered those questions, but your life turned upside down, and you don’t know who you are anymore. Ah, an identity crisis! You’re not alone. “How do I live in a way that expresses my uniqueness?” “How do I live according to what I care about and not just what others expect of me?” Ah, a crisis of authenticity! You’re in good company again. We’re going to need some deep philosophical dialogue for these two.

Communication and conflict resolution…

Why do we have so much trouble understanding each other? How might we get on the same page? How do we step toward each other when our views seem so polarized? How do we respect each other’s differences while also recognizing common interests? Philosophers of language, communication, and conflict resolution can help.

If you find yourself in an infinite loop about these questions, you’re in the right place!

Everyday problems dealing with values, ethics, meaning, purpose, truth, certainty, justice, power, freedom, and happiness cannot be resolved with medical intervention. They are best approached through philosophical dialogue.

As your philosophical counselor, here’s what I’ll do for you…

Most importantly, I’ll listen carefully to you, come to understand your problems and worldview, and work with you to develop a coherent philosophy of life that will serve your well-being.

As we work together, I’ll approach you as a fully functioning individual with the courage to deal with the perplexities and struggles central to the human condition – like creating meaning, purpose, freedom, empowerment, integrity, and authenticity in your life.

We’ll collaborate to solve your life problems by activating and cultivating the powers you already possess – like critical thinking, imagination, empathy, desire, self-discipline, choice, and creativity. Yep, you’ve already got a lot of the good stuff you need! We’ll just get those powers up and moving, give them a shot of espresso for the road, and put them to work.

As you make this journey, I’ll be your navigation partner, helping you find awareness, direction, and solutions for a fulfilling life.

Let’s take this next step together…

A philosopher can make an excellent co-traveler on your journey into life’s big questions, offering you a unique inquiry experience that opens up distinct dimensions of thought and choice that complement and move beyond other forms of “talk therapy.”

I know this work is deep, difficult, and sometimes terrifying. Once you get going, though, you may very well find it to be exhilarating.

I look forward to meeting you and getting started!

For a more thorough introduction to philosophical counseling, I invite you to read my deeper dive into the topic.