What is philosophical counselling/philosophical coaching?

Philosophical counselling (sometimes called philosophical coaching) is an approach that uses philosophical methods and insights to help individuals explore and address personal, existential, and ethical issues in their lives. Usually, it is a form of consultation provided by philosophers or those trained in philosophical thinking and dialogue.

Common Techniques used in Philosophical Counselling

Philosophical counsellors use techniques like clarifying concepts, exposing assumptions, examining worldviews, exploring philosophical perspectives, and applying philosophical insights to the client's specific situation or dilemma.

These techniques often draw from the ancient philosophical tradition of using reason and questioning to gain wisdom and live an examined life, exemplified by Socrates' approach of questioning to expose contradictions and gain self-knowledge.

Benefits of Philosophical Counselling

Here are some of the benefits of philosophical counselling:

• It can help clients gain clarity on their core beliefs, values, and life's meaning, as well as develop critical thinking and reasoning skills.

• It is applied to issues such as career changes, ethical dilemmas, relationship problems, finding purpose, dealing with mortality, and major life transitions.

• While not psychotherapy, it is considered therapeutic in the sense of promoting wisdom, self-understanding, and living a meaningful and examined life.

• It provides an alternative or complementary approach to psychological counselling by addressing the philosophical underpinnings of human issues.

How to be a philosophical counsellor?

In the United States, organizations like the American Philosophical Practitioners Association (APPA) and the National Philosophical Counseling Association (NPCA) have played pivotal roles in setting the standards for professional practice. These bodies offer certification programmes that are designed to credential philosophical counsellors.

However, it's important to recognise that the requirements set forth by these associations may not fully capture one's competence in philosophical counselling. Certification can serve as a foundational step, but it is merely the beginning of a more extensive journey of professional and personal development.

Furthermore, while these courses offered by these associations lay the groundwork, true proficiency in philosophical counselling is cultivated through extensive and continuous practice. Mastery in philosophy, while essential, is not the sole prerequisite for excelling as a philosophical counsellor. Like all forms of counselling, it is still up to the practitioner's ability to engage with clients on a deeply empathetic level. Therefore, skills in active listening, reflective dialogue, and emotional intelligence are essential.

Good philosophical counsellors often navigate the complexities of human experience, offering insights not just from a place of intellectual understanding, but also from a stance of compassionate presence. This nuanced blend of philosophy and counselling competency underscores the necessity for a broader skill set beyond academic knowledge.

Such experience can be gained through engaging with a diverse array of clients. This not only allows a counsellor to refine their approach, but also adapt to varying emotional landscapes and integrate philosophical concepts into the counselling process in a way that is both meaningful and impactful. It is through this ongoing practice that a counsellor can transcend the foundational knowledge obtained in certification courses and truly embody the role of a philosophical guide.

The field of philosophical counselling is at a developmental juncture with a small but growing community of practitioners. Despite its nascent status, the discipline is witnessing an increasing interest from people who are seeking alternative modalities of counselling that focus on philosophical inquiry as a means of addressing life's challenges. This growing interest not only enriches the community of practitioners but also contributes to the continuous exploration and expansion of the field's boundaries.

What is existential coaching?

Existential coaching (sometimes called existential therapy) is an approach to coaching that draws upon the principles and ideas of existential philosophy and psychology. It aims to help clients explore fundamental questions about their existence, find meaning and purpose, and live authentically in the face of life's challenges.

Existential coaching techniques and tools

Here are some ways existential coaching helps clients explore their sense of self:

How do I become an existential coach?

Existential coaching requires the ability to explore deep questions of meaning, authenticity and the human condition with clients.

One way to train this ability is to develop a strong foundation in existential philosophy and psychology. This would probably involve studying the works of key existential thinkers like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, and Camus to understand the core principles and themes of existentialism.

Getting training in existential coaching is also another possible pathway. Here are some options:

• The Certificate in Existential Coaching from The Existential Academy, a short program comprising 60 hours of training in existential coaching theory and practice

• The MA in Existential Coaching from the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC) in London, a 2-year program that provides sufficient training hours to apply for professional accreditation.

In addition, consider pursuing professional accreditation through organizations like the International Coach Federation, although there is no specific existential coaching credential.

The key is to ground yourself in existential philosophy, get quality training that combines theory and practice, develop your coaching skills, gain experience, and commit to ongoing learning.