Philosophical counselling is a style of counselling centred around using philosophy as an educational and therapeutic tool to help those experiencing poor mental wellbeing. Sometimes philosophical counsellors are trained counsellors who have an interest in philosophy, and sometimes they are philosophers who might not be qualified counsellors but have an interest in using philosophy to help those with poor mental wellbeing. Philosophical counselling is a diverse practice that is still newly emerging, and as such the who and the what of philosophical counselling can change depending on where it is practised and by whom. 

Generally, philosophical counselling is a non-clinical form of psychoeducational counselling designed to improve a client’s self-reflective and critical thinking skills through philosophical techniques. 

Some of these techniques might include: Socratic questioning, non-confrontational discourse, an open dialogue, bibliotherapy or logic-based therapy to name a few. 

The goal of philosophical counselling is to nurture the rational aspects of a person such that they can become more introspective and more capable of using reasoning skills to cope with concerns that may affect their mental wellbeing. 

Note that philosophical counselling is NOT traditional psychotherapy and is not suitable for the treatment of mental illness.

Philosophical counselling is:

Philosophical counselling is used to improve a person’s thinking

Philosophical counselling is used to improve a person’s ability to self-reflect (to look at and attempt to understand their thoughts and feelings)

Philosophical counselling is used to improve a person’s ability to critically analyse their thoughts and feelings (to look at one’s thoughts and ask if they are well reasoned or to enquire to themselves why they think or feel that way)

Philosophical counselling is for people looking to explore philosophical ideas relating to their personal interests or personal lived experiences

Philosophical counselling is not:

Philosophical counselling is not clinical psychotherapy

Philosophical counselling is not used to diagnose mental illness

Philosophical counselling is not used to treat mental illness of any kind

Philosophical counselling is not life coaching

Philosophical counselling is not going to make all your problems go away

Philosophical counselling is not usually practised by professional mental health counsellors. Though some counsellors do practice philosophical counselling, Get Philosophical does not employ any trained mental health counsellors or any kind of mental health professional because philosophical counselling is not suitable for the diagnosis or treatment of mental illness and endeavours to refer anyone who might be experiencing mental illness to the appropriate services. (See the “grounds for referral” document for more details)

Pros

Has 4000 years of wisdom to draw from to help clients. 

Uses a psychoeducational approach to dealing with a client’s concerns

Can tailor its approach to the client’s problems and philosophical preferences, making it suit them

Teaches you the tools to help oneself in the long term by teaching you good thinking habits and self-reflective techniques

Is adaptive and can be altered to suit a client’s needs

Cons

Cannot prescribe medications

Cannot diagnose or treat mental illness

Not currently available on the NHS

Not many people practise philosophical consultancy, so finding a philosophical consultant can be difficult

Who is Philosophical Counselling For?

Everyone!

Philosophical counselling is an approach which can be tailored to each individual. The approach is designed for everyone and for a wide range of problems and concerns. Philosophical counselling is designed to help with “ordinary” or “ubiquitous” problems or concerns. That is to say, everyday kinds of issues that are not mental illness related. Things like writer’s block, finding purpose in life, relationship issues, questions about personal identity, career changes,

Philosophical counselling is effective for:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Existential Concerns
  • Bereavement
  • LGBTQ+ Issues
  • More!

For more information about the kinds of things philosophical counselling can help with and the kinds of things it cannot help with, see the “grounds for referral” document in the “documents” page on this site.