Philosophical Counselling
Welcome. My name is Matthew Bishop. I am both a philosopher, and a counsellor and psychotherapist. I combine the two in a practice known as Philosophical Counselling. I see people by Zoom and phone in Australia, and internationally.
It was while teaching philosophy at The University of Melbourne and elsewhere that I decided to become a philosophical counsellor. So I studied counselling to master's level, and spent almost two decades working as a mainstream therapist. I specialised in a therapeutic approach known as Existential Therapy. Today I work purely as a philosophical counsellor, and that is what I offer to you.
There are two types of philosophical counselling that I offer:
It was while teaching philosophy at The University of Melbourne and elsewhere that I decided to become a philosophical counsellor. So I studied counselling to master's level, and spent almost two decades working as a mainstream therapist. I specialised in a therapeutic approach known as Existential Therapy. Today I work purely as a philosophical counsellor, and that is what I offer to you.
There are two types of philosophical counselling that I offer:
- Contemplative reflection to make better sense of things
- The combination of philosophy and psychotherapy, offered as an alternative to mainstream therapy
Philosophical counselling as Pure reflection
The first form of philosophical counselling I offer is pure reflection.
Many people who come to me are not looking to solve problems, so much as to have in-depth conversations that shed a light on their concerns, and deepen their understanding and wisdom about life. This form of philosophical counselling is:
I bring the reflective skills of a philosopher, and the accumulated insights of philosopy, to help you reflect well and deepen your wisdom about life and your concerns.
The first form of philosophical counselling I offer is pure reflection.
Many people who come to me are not looking to solve problems, so much as to have in-depth conversations that shed a light on their concerns, and deepen their understanding and wisdom about life. This form of philosophical counselling is:
- a dedicated space for deeper reflection on your concerns, free from the need to fix anything
- an exploration of your fundamental questions about reality, life, the human condition, society, meaning, value, purpose, passion, and so on.
- the cultivation a more true, good, and coherent philosophy by which to live
I bring the reflective skills of a philosopher, and the accumulated insights of philosopy, to help you reflect well and deepen your wisdom about life and your concerns.
Philosophical counselling as an alternative to mainstream therapy
Other people seek philosophical counselling as an alternative to mainstream therapy. Philosophy is the effort you make to become more wise. It is also the cultivation of the virtues, such as courage, self-control and the like. Psychotherapy is the art of recognising your psychological patterns and reshaping them for the better. This philosophical Counselling combines both.
I help with the same problems you would take to mainstream counselling: emotional struggles, behavioural problems, relationship issues, work issues, life transitions, grief and loss, and so on. I do this by helping you cultivate wisdom, virtue, and the psychological self-awareness and change you need. Thus, I help you to:
In short, this philosophical counselling guides you to become more wise, strong, capable, good, happy, and successful.
Other people seek philosophical counselling as an alternative to mainstream therapy. Philosophy is the effort you make to become more wise. It is also the cultivation of the virtues, such as courage, self-control and the like. Psychotherapy is the art of recognising your psychological patterns and reshaping them for the better. This philosophical Counselling combines both.
I help with the same problems you would take to mainstream counselling: emotional struggles, behavioural problems, relationship issues, work issues, life transitions, grief and loss, and so on. I do this by helping you cultivate wisdom, virtue, and the psychological self-awareness and change you need. Thus, I help you to:
- deal with your problems (emotional, behavioural, relational, career, et cetera)
- avoid the creation of new problems
- create a more strong, skillful, capable way of being
- become more rational and wise in how you navigate life
- develop psychological self-awareness and change
- become better morally, for your sake and others'
- become more inherently happy
- succeed and flourish in life (work, relationships, et cetera)
- experience greater meaning and purpose in life
- embody more profound forms of meaning and value
In short, this philosophical counselling guides you to become more wise, strong, capable, good, happy, and successful.
Philosophical counselling as Men's counselling
One of my areas of focus when I worked in mainstream counselling was men's work. I came to view the classical tradition of "character formation" as more helpful for many men than mainstream therapy. Character formation is the classical cultivation of wisdom and virtue to build the kind of character that leads to a flourishing life. It is more pragmatic and directive than typical counselling. It also provides a more purposeful framework for your life. See here for more.
One of my areas of focus when I worked in mainstream counselling was men's work. I came to view the classical tradition of "character formation" as more helpful for many men than mainstream therapy. Character formation is the classical cultivation of wisdom and virtue to build the kind of character that leads to a flourishing life. It is more pragmatic and directive than typical counselling. It also provides a more purposeful framework for your life. See here for more.
