I come from a small town in north-western Victoria and was originally a high-school drop-out. While working in a factory I discovered a passion for philosophy. At 22 I found my way to The University of Melbourne where I studied philosophy, and by my late 20s I was teaching it there.
My passion for philosophy centres around how it can help us live well. It is about understanding suffering, goodness, and well-being, and shaping our lives in terms of those insights. I decided to take my philosophical work in a practical direction, and so I studied counselling with the aim of integrating the two, and began a career in counselling focused on a philosophical approach.
As a counsellor I have since worked in a range of challenging roles, from relationship and bereavement counselling, to suicide prevention, crisis counselling and long-term therapy. I have designed and delivered professional training for counsellors, and coached new counsellors. I am a passionate learner and have spent time deepening my knowledge across the different schools of therapy. This has freed me to use a flexible style which I tailor to each client's personality and goals. For me, counselling is about insight and depth, but equally it is about common sense and practical wisdom. The point is the outcome: to make life better.
I believe that a counsellor should be deeply committed to their own personal growth, should constantly enrich their knowledge, and should operate according to the highest ethical standards. I also believe a counsellor should be relaxed and real with people, as this sometimes confusing and difficult journey is one we are all on together. I don't pretend to be perfect or above my clients, but I do strive to be really effective in the help I provide.
I have returned to my rural roots and live in central Victoria. However I see people two days a week in Carlton, Melbourne. I also work nationally via phone or Skype.
– Matthew Bishop (MAppSocSci(Couns); BA (Hon); Dip. Prof. Couns.).
My passion for philosophy centres around how it can help us live well. It is about understanding suffering, goodness, and well-being, and shaping our lives in terms of those insights. I decided to take my philosophical work in a practical direction, and so I studied counselling with the aim of integrating the two, and began a career in counselling focused on a philosophical approach.
As a counsellor I have since worked in a range of challenging roles, from relationship and bereavement counselling, to suicide prevention, crisis counselling and long-term therapy. I have designed and delivered professional training for counsellors, and coached new counsellors. I am a passionate learner and have spent time deepening my knowledge across the different schools of therapy. This has freed me to use a flexible style which I tailor to each client's personality and goals. For me, counselling is about insight and depth, but equally it is about common sense and practical wisdom. The point is the outcome: to make life better.
I believe that a counsellor should be deeply committed to their own personal growth, should constantly enrich their knowledge, and should operate according to the highest ethical standards. I also believe a counsellor should be relaxed and real with people, as this sometimes confusing and difficult journey is one we are all on together. I don't pretend to be perfect or above my clients, but I do strive to be really effective in the help I provide.
I have returned to my rural roots and live in central Victoria. However I see people two days a week in Carlton, Melbourne. I also work nationally via phone or Skype.
– Matthew Bishop (MAppSocSci(Couns); BA (Hon); Dip. Prof. Couns.).