Information on Philosophical Counseling, Psychology, Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy

Metaphysics, Philosophy & Holistic Life Counseling

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy dealing with ultimate reality. It asks us hard questions about the nature and genesis of the physical universe world. Some of its questions deal with the existence of God, the nature of spirit or spiritual realities, and questions concerning the basic constituents of existence. As such, Metaphysics is important in counseling. To truly be holistic in their counseling methods and theories, practitioners, psychologists, psychotherapists and other counselors must appreciate the powerful effect an individual's metaphysical beliefs shape her choices and outlook. Crucial matters such as religious affiliation, spiritual beliefs, and religious upbringing must be taken into consideration if the counselor would truly be in position to help her clients.

Philosophy of Axiology

Axiology deals with the philosophical notions value, particularly, as these value judgments pertain to moral duty and rightness. Axiology seeks to answer such fundamental questions as what makes an action right (or wrong); what is the nature of moral goodness; where does evil come from; and a host of related questions. Axiology is important in counseling precisely because a client's moral framework affects many, if not all, the choices he makes. It is important for the counselor to understand how the client's moral value system was shaped in order to challenge self-defeating or destructive manners of conduct.

Certificates in Philosophy

There a few organizations which grant certificates in philosophy to individuals who complete a certain amount of core prescribed training in philosophical counseling studies. A certificate is not necessarily a degree from a college or university, but it is usually offered through ancillary programs within a college or university. For example, the American Philosophical Practitioners Association grants certifications to students with Master's degrees in philosophy. The program is offered through the City College of New York. Other institutions that grant diplomas in philosophy and/or counseling include:

• Prescott College
• California Institute Of Integral Studies
• Vermont College of The Union Institute & University
• University of Illinois at Springfield

Spirituality and Philosophy

Over the past few decades, therapists and psychologists have become increasingly aware of the mutually beneficial relationship that exists between the spiritual and the psychological. There exists an almost evanescent interconnection between the two fields of study. The word "psyche," from which "psychology" is dervided) in fact, means "soul." Therefore, many believe that psychology--just as spirituality--pertains to the things of the soul. Many see no necessary conflict between the insights of the great spiritual disciplines of man and the scientific knowledge gained through modern psychological research. As with all our teaching and counseling methods, many seek to draw the best from all the traditions of philosophical, religious, and scientific inquiry.

Dialectic in Philosophy

Dialectic is the word from whence "dialogue" is derived. To dialogue is to engage in communication. The result of dialog is often a refined understanding of the subject matter for both parties involved. Dialectic, therefore, refers to the ways in which conversation, discourse, debate, argument, and communication among two or more people facilitates truth. Perhaps the greatest dialectician (in the West, that is) would be Socrates. In Plato's Dialogues, Socrates often guides his fellow interlocutors to an epiphany through the process of keen dialectic. If you think about it, dialectic forms one foundation stone in all good therapy and counseling. The counselor has to converse with the client in order to guide her to a resolution. Additionally, the practitioner must listen, ask the right questions, challenge erroneous or illogical thinking through the use of dialectical and rhetorical devices, and be willing to learn from the client's questioning.

Theories of Dreams

Ever since the dawn of humanity, people have tried to gain insight into themselves and the world about them through the interpretation of dreams. It is no wonder, then, that philosophers, scientists, as well as psychologists have theorized about dreams from the start. There are many theories of the significance of dreams, but perhaps the most influential were those of Sigmund Freud – and his intellectual heir, Carl Jung. In short, both Freud and Jung used techniques such as free association, myth, symbolism, literature, and even divination – to interpret dreams. Dram interpretation can be a powerful tool in the hands of the philosophical counselor. By helping her clients understand their dreams – or at least to record and think about them introspectively – will help the clients develop that crucial intuitive and reflective consciousness need to make significant breakthroughs in self-actualization.

How Philosophy Undergirds Ethics In Counseling

As was stated earlier, ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the meaning and justification of moral judgment – judgments of right vs. wrong and good vs. bad. Counseling ethics, therefore, deals with the right and the good in terms of therapeutic approach, theory, and practice. As a result, one can easily see why it would be important for a counselor in particular and the counseling profession in general to have sound ethical principles. Wrong or malevolent motives and conduct can spell disaster for an unsuspecting client. But in order to have a sound ethics, one must be able to think somewhat philosophically about matters such as human nature, religious belief and practice, social justice, etc. It helps the counselor who has a familiarity with the critical sociological paradigms in order to better serve the more marginalized populations within our society. And it is no accident that many of the most astute thinkers on these matters are or were professional philosophers. Philosophers have always tried to make the connection between sound reasoning principles and sound moral principles.

Ethics and cultural diversity in counseling

That being said, counselors should make persistent and consistent effort to learn more about marginalized groups to better assist them. Practitioners need to understand the thought patterns and language use of racial and ethnic minorities; gender minorities and women; the unique problems faced by the famous, extremely affluent, or extremely powerful; the extremely poor; the disabled; religious and national minorites; etc.

Christian Counseling Ethics

A further division in counseling ethics can be established at the religious level. There are a growing number of counselors and therapists who are using religious doctrine and practice in their counseling sessions. One example is Christian counseling. Many Christian counselors use biblical passages to help explain or elaborate upon a psychological principle. As one would guess, Christian counseling would be most effective with a client who grew up in a Christian church environment. A church, temple or synagogue is often the first place a person will form his moral and metaphysical views.

Ethics In Counseling African-Americans

As one of the marginalized groups in American society, African Americans often require other African American counselors in order to be maximally helped. But whether the counselor is African American or of another ethnic or racial background, it is absolutely vital for the practitioner to understand African American history, economy and experience to truly be effective in helping this population. For example, a systematic study of Ebonics – a valid linguistic idiom used among African Americans that has developed much in exactly the same way that immigrant populations have developed "Americanized" versions of their native languages – would greatly enhance the therapist's counseling abilities.

Existential Counseling: Toward An Inward Frame Of Reference

Existential counseling (EC) is often described as "counseling in the here and now." In other words, this form of counseling appreciates the real-world situations in which people coming for therapy exist. In this sense, EC tends to be biased towards overly-erudite, overly-abstract, overly-scientific counseling theories and practices. EC takes into account the fact that the average person seeking therapy will only be more – not less - confused by such approaches. Therefore, EC seeks to help the client develop what is called an "inward frame of reference." That is, EC attempts to help the client solve her own problems, using her own resources and intelligence. Instead of the psychologist or counselor trying to explain the client's conditions in terms of pre-established psychological types and terms, EC encourages the client to use her own language to explain the causal conditions for her choices. The results of such an approach can be remarkably beneficial. When a client truly develops an internal locus – not merely of control – but of meaning, judgment, and truth – then profound psychic rearrangements often occur. In this way, existential counseling is quite pragmatic in its application; whatever interpretive tools work best for the client are given highest importance.

Freudian Counseling

Sigmund Freud is considered by most, if not all, psychologists to be the founder and first exponent of a form of psychotherapy that is now well-known. The over-arching principle Freudian counseling is that real liberation for the troubled client resides in the unconscious. Disclosing the hidden and destructive contents thereof promotes health, wellness, and self-actualization for the client.

Jungian counseling

Carl Jung was admittedly Freud's most gifted student. He utilized Freud's ideas and methods but expanded upon them significantly, taking his predecessor's ideas to new vistas never even dreamed of by Freud. (No pun intended!) Like Freud, the guiding principle of Jungian psychology is that the "truth is in the depths." Jungian psychology, therefore, often seeks to help clients "discover the gold in the dungeon"; that is, achieve individuation by going through the ghosts of unconscious trauma.

Humanistic Psychology: Counseling And Therapy

Humanism rests on the proposition that the individual human being is the source and standard of value. Often humanism rejects belief in God or a supernatural realm, but this is not necessarily so. Humanistic counseling, therefore, seeks to help troubled individuals developed their own value judgments about things – judgments that are free from religious, familial, social subjugation. Because humanists tend to place supreme value on the virtue of freedom, humanistic counseling methods, much like Freudian and Jungian approaches – attempt to liberate the client from hegemonic or authoritarian influences.

Psychotherapy & Philosophical Counseling

In many ways, philosophical counseling is similar to psychotherapy. 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 especially adept at helping the client think through his issues rationally. His keen command of inferential thinking and inductive reason makes him particularly skilled at detecting illogical thought patterns that frustrate 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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