Philosophy aims to investigates life issues using reason and evidence, without any pre-assumptions. Philosophical counseling seeks to provide an environment of self-exploration where you can try to make sense and better understand your own existence and experience in relation to such questions.

Philosophy could be understood as the activity of thinking about our own thinking. It tries to better understand and clarify the concepts which underlie our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Philosophical counseling uses the methods and insights of philosophy to clarify and resolve life issues.

Philosophical counseling seeks to provide an environment for an open-ended self-exploration, helping you to enhance your understanding of yourself, your thoughts, feelings, goals and concerns, in the hope that such insights may facilitate positive change and development. It believes in and uses the power of reason and understanding in examining ourselves and our lives. This does not mean that emotions are neglected; rather, an attempt is made to make sense of and articulate them, thus preparing the way to dealing with them.

In the process of self-examination we try to better understand and articulate our identity, our goals, attitudes, and place within our larger surroundings. Particular attention is also paid to the individual's systems of belief, trying to identify their nature and sources. Are they rational, or do they originate in something other than evidence? Such analysis contributes to greater self-understanding and prepares the way for change, if that is desirable. The role of the philosophical counselor is to facilitate such self examination and understanding.

Philosophical counseling is offered by people whose main background and training are in philosophy, and who therefore tend to have a more uniquely philosophical approach and mind set. This sets them apart from other counseling professions such as psychologists, social workers, pastors, life-coaches, etc. Philosophical counseling could complement these other approaches, but is not a substitute to psychiatric or psychological treatments when these are required.

About Dr. Henig

Dr. Henig is an APPA (American Philosophical Practitioners Association) certified Philosophical Counselor. He has an M.Litt degree in Philosophy from Oxford University, UK, as well as a PhD in Applied Philosophy from Bowling Green State University, OH.

His main research interests are in the area of moral psychology. He currently lives in Portland, OR with his wife. They have four children together.