What Are We Looking For – And How Do We Get There?

Philosophical counseling uses philosophical concepts, methods and dialogue to help individuals explore and address personal challenges. Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which often focuses on psychological issues, philosophical counseling encourages clients to reflect on their values, beliefs and life’s meaning. It involves critical thinking and reasoning to examine life choices, ethical dilemmas and existential questions. Philosophical counselors guide clients through discussions about meaning, identity and morality, helping them gain clarity and live more authentically by applying philosophical principles to real-life situations.

Two practitioners—Dr. Dennis Klein and Dr. Donald Marks—have begun a practice of philosophical counseling. Though more popular in Europe than in the United States, it is precisely responsive to our country’s present circumstances. Recent polls are showing profound distress in every sector of society— dissatisfaction with work beyond the paycheck, limited relationships and conditions that stand between us and more meaningful, resonant connections. We will provide examples of stories we tell ourselves that account in large part for our limitations as well as opportunities for dialogues that open the way to reexamination and gratifying alternatives.

Dr. Dennis Klein is a certified American Philosophical Practitioners Association practitioner and client advocate as well as a visiting scholar at George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. He is a professor of history emeritus and director of the Jewish Studies program emeritus at Kean University. In addition, he is a Trust Network consulting partner. He writes and speaks about bystander responsibilities.

Dr. Donald Marks is a professor at Kean University’s College of Health Professions and Human Services. He is a clinical health psychologist specializing in strategies for living with chronic pain and advanced illness, as well as a marriage and family psychologist.