Could We Be More Philosophical About Psychological Distress?

Philosophical counseling, a non-pathologizing approach to addressing life’s challenges, has received increasing scholarly and media attention in recent years. The interesting thing about this philosophical turn is that it makes so much sense—whether we feel overwhelmed, burned out, or simply adrift, a reflective conversation about what truly matters can help us relocate the beautiful and sacred dimensions of our lives. Despite the revitalizing nature of these conversations, however, we typically shy away from such “heavy” topics in our everyday encounters—and even in our psychotherapy. We will talk about them today, reflecting on why we so often limit ourselves to practical “problem-solving” and exploring ways to adopt a richer philosophical perspective in daily life.

Dennis B. Klein, Ph.D., is a member of the affiliate faculty at George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution and Kean University Professor of History emeritus, where he also directed the university’s Jewish Studies program and Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies program. Before joining Kean in 1996 he served as founding director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Braun Center for Holocaust Studies and its Hidden Child Foundation as well as editor in chief of ADL’s Dimensions: A Journal of Holocaust Studies. He is the author or editor of seven books, including Jewish Origins of the Psychoanalytic Movement, Hidden History of the Kovno Ghetto, The Genocidal Mind, Survivor Transitional Narratives, and Societies Emerging from Conflict. He is currently at work on a book about bystander constructions in late 20^th century America.

Donald Marks, Psy.D., 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.