Philosophical Counseling: Applied Philosophy

The Philosophical Counselor

Philosophical counseling is a unique path of personal growth, designed for those who wish to explore their existential questions, clarify their values, and find deeper meaning in life. It is not psychological therapy or a clinical intervention; rather, it is an engaging and profound dialogue with a philosophical counselor—a trained professional who helps you critically reflect on your ideas, worldview, and beliefs.

Through this journey, you will learn to recognize and overcome biases and limiting thought patterns. You will be guided through a process of self-reflection that fosters greater awareness, informed decision-making, and the ability to face daily challenges in an ethical and constructive way. As philosopher Roger Paden asserts, the goal is not merely to find immediate solutions but to clarify and strengthen your thinking, helping you build a clearer and more coherent vision of reality.

Philosophical counseling is for those seeking a safe space to address complex issues such as the meaning of life, morality, relationships, career challenges, grief, or change. It offers an opportunity to discover new ways of understanding yourself and the world, fostering autonomy and resilience through active “philosophizing.”

This approach equips you with practical tools to tackle difficulties with greater balance, transforming them into opportunities for growth. Regardless of your life path, philosophical counseling serves as a valuable guide for those who wish to live authentically, mindfully, and meaningfully.

"Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of things" Epictetus

How is a philosophical counseling session based on LBT conducted?

Logic-Based Therapy (LBT) is a type of philosophical counselling developed by philosopher Elliot D. Cohen. Based on the idea that many of our emotional and behavioural struggles stem from irrational thoughts, LBT employs philosophical tools to help you identify, refute, and reformulate these thoughts, transforming them into more rational and constructive beliefs.

During an LBT-based counselling session, the philosophical counsellor will guide you through a structured dialogue aimed at exploring the emotions troubling you and the thoughts fuelling them. Through critical analysis, a “practical syllogism” is constructed to understand how your reasoning affects your emotional state and behaviours.

Some of the tools used in LBT include

Identification of Irrational Thoughts: The counselor helps you uncover beliefs that cause distress, such as perfectionism or catastrophizing.
Logical Refutation: Using critical thinking, these beliefs are challenged, highlighting their inconsistencies.
Rational Reformulation: Irrational beliefs are replaced with more rational alternatives, grounded in values and guiding virtues such as courage, authenticity, and metaphysical security.

LBT can be helpful for a variety of issues, including:

Logic-Based Therapy is designed for individuals who wish to approach situations such as anxiety, depression, anger, or self-esteem issues with greater balance, without necessarily resorting to psychotherapeutic treatments. For example, it can help you overcome the fear of failure by transforming perfectionism into an acceptance of imperfections as part of the growth process.

Guided by a practical and personalized philosophy, LBT teaches you to actively “philosophize,” enabling you to face challenges with greater autonomy and awareness. It is not merely a problem-solving pathway but an opportunity to cultivate virtues that enhance your well-being and bring you closer to an authentic and meaningful life.

This approach is based on two fundamental principles:

The Value of the Philosophical Promise: Philosophy can provide answers to the question of how to live a good or healthy life. It addresses fundamental issues such as the meaning of life, values, interpersonal relationships, justice, and morality. It offers a variety of perspectives and tools to better understand oneself and the surrounding world.
The Principle of Philosophical Theory: Philosophical thinking is a powerful tool for self-reflection. It teaches critical thinking, helps evaluate one’s beliefs, and fosters creative solutions to problems. It aids in developing greater self-awareness and understanding of the world, enabling more mindful decision-making.

Philosophical counseling can benefit those facing a challenging time in life or seeking to deepen their worldview.