An increasingly popular application for philosophy is in counseling. It is commonly held that so-called philosophical counseling began in 1981 when Dr. Gerd Achenbach opened his practice near Cologne, Germany. Today there are philosophical counselors, professional associations, and certification programs in the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Austria, France, Switzerland, Israel, Great Britain, the United States, and many other countries. But the idea that philosophy can be used to alleviate distress, help individuals come to a better understanding of themselves and their world, and improve a person's life dates back to antiquity.
How Philosophical Counseling Differs from Psychotherapy
In many ways, philosophical counseling is similar to therapy. In both fields, the counselor or therapist seeks to raise the client’s level of self-awareness in order to assist her in solving problems, attaining emotional balance, or increasing self-esteem. In fact, the intersection between the two disciplines is great; many of today’s psychologists study and use the understandings of philosophical schools in their therapy sessions. Conversely, many professional philosophers have used the scientific discoveries of the social sciences - particularly psychology - to gain deeper insight into the nature of mental processes, cognition, memory, intelligence, and other related subjects.
The main difference is that the philosophical practitioner, having been trained in the discipline of philosophy, is specially adept at helping the client think through his issues rationally. His keen command of inferential thinking and inductive reason makes him particularly skilled at pointing out to the client the illogical thought patterns that may be dominating or frustrating the client’s journey toward individuation. Additionally, the philosophical practitioner is often well-versed in cultural peculiarities; she understands that an individual’s ethnic or national background can significantly affect how she thinks, processes, and reasons. Also, the philosophical practitioner is often freer to employ the methods of non-orthodox psychological schools in his or her work.
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Cafe Filosofico: UNMSM - La Argumentacion en Filosofía
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Author: philocarmen
Keywords: argumentacion Protagoras Abelardo unmsm philosophical practice Cesar Krüger Oscar Brenifier David Sumiacher Carmen Zavala Herrera Arbayza Chavez
Added: November 25, 2009
FILOSOFI
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Author: CONSULENZAFILOSOFICA
Keywords: filosofi consulenza filosofica consulente filosofico filosofia associazione phronesis pensiero philosophical counseling umberto galimberti prassi filosofica pratica filosofica gerd achenbach ran lahav colloquio filosofico colloquio dialogo dialogo filosofico socrate neri pollastri disagio philosophische praxis phronesis
Added: October 22, 2009
2- Qué hace que una discusión sea filosófica? Oscar Brenifier
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1- Qué hace que una discusión sea filosófica? (1de 2) - Oscar Brenifier
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Author: philocarmen
Keywords: practica debate discusion filosofica Rivara de Tuesta Langon
Added: September 14, 2009
人生逆境的哲學輔導座談會16
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Keywords: HKSHP Ying Koon Kau Wan Tai Wai Lau Kwai Piu philosophical counseling philosophy life problem
Added: August 28, 2009
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