Philosophical Counselling
Welcome. My name is Matthew Bishop. I have a professional background in academic philosophy, and in counselling and psychotherapy. I offer services as a philosophical counsellor.
My professional background
It was while teaching philosophy at The University of Melbourne and elsewhere that I decided to pursue a career in Philosophical Counselling. For that reason I studied a masters degree in counselling, which led me on a winding path to my goal. I spent a decade and a half as a mainstream counsellor and psychotherapist in organisations. I did alongside teaching philosophy, and then while running a private practice focused on Existential Therapy. Existential Therapy is a philosophical variant of mainstream psychotherapy. Today I work purely as a philosophical counsellor. The point of that long journey was to practice as a philosophical counsellor, but one who has also the experience and depth of a mainstream therapist.
What is Philosophical Counselling?
As a philosopher I am rooted in classical philosophy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. Such philosophy guides people to find meaning and value, and to grow in wisdom and virtue. Wisdom is the ability to see clearly, deeply, meaningfully, rationally...with respect to the big picture of life, and how to steer your life, and what to do in any particular situation. A virtue is any good personal quality which you cultivate, which makes you and your life better. Examples include courage, determination, temperance, compassion, hope, and indeed any good quality. To grow in wisdom and virtue is to become more capable at life; it is to make yourself good, and your life good.
Who does Philosophical Counselling help?
Some people see me because they value philosophical reflection, growth in wisdom and virtue, and all that follows from that in terms of flourishing. Others are new to philosophy, but come because of a specific problem, and suspect that what they read here might be helpful. Consider, for example, the kinds of challenges people take to mainstream therapy--anxiety or fear, depression or despair, anger, boredom, grief, loss, change, relationships, career issues, and so on. Consider how growth in wisdom and virtue can help with these: how growth in reason and courage can reduce anxiety, or how cultivating genuine hope and purpose can overcome despair, or how greater self-respect or generosity can change a relationship. Consider also the clarity, meaning, and purposefulness that comes when you treat your daily challenges as opportunities to exercise greater wisdom and virtue. Imagine crafting yourself into somebody who is more strong, skillful, and good, which leads also to greater meaning, happiness, and flourishing.
Consider what it is like to find guidance for all that, through a profound philosophical tradition that is two and a half thousand years old. This tradition has given clarity and direction to so many people throughout those years, through ancient Greece, ancient Rome, medieval and Renaissance Europe, and continuing up to today, even if our present culture has lost sight of these depths such that many people now flounder. Many people--including those who have studied modern and post-modern philosophy--have no idea of the riches of ancient philosophy, its sophistication, detail, and depth, and the radical difference it can make to life. To share those riches is the purpose of my life, and the essence of the philosophical counselling which I offer to you.
You can read more about my approach here. You can read about making a booking here. See my other, central website here, where I describe my other projects, writing, and services.
My professional background
It was while teaching philosophy at The University of Melbourne and elsewhere that I decided to pursue a career in Philosophical Counselling. For that reason I studied a masters degree in counselling, which led me on a winding path to my goal. I spent a decade and a half as a mainstream counsellor and psychotherapist in organisations. I did alongside teaching philosophy, and then while running a private practice focused on Existential Therapy. Existential Therapy is a philosophical variant of mainstream psychotherapy. Today I work purely as a philosophical counsellor. The point of that long journey was to practice as a philosophical counsellor, but one who has also the experience and depth of a mainstream therapist.
What is Philosophical Counselling?
As a philosopher I am rooted in classical philosophy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. Such philosophy guides people to find meaning and value, and to grow in wisdom and virtue. Wisdom is the ability to see clearly, deeply, meaningfully, rationally...with respect to the big picture of life, and how to steer your life, and what to do in any particular situation. A virtue is any good personal quality which you cultivate, which makes you and your life better. Examples include courage, determination, temperance, compassion, hope, and indeed any good quality. To grow in wisdom and virtue is to become more capable at life; it is to make yourself good, and your life good.
Who does Philosophical Counselling help?
Some people see me because they value philosophical reflection, growth in wisdom and virtue, and all that follows from that in terms of flourishing. Others are new to philosophy, but come because of a specific problem, and suspect that what they read here might be helpful. Consider, for example, the kinds of challenges people take to mainstream therapy--anxiety or fear, depression or despair, anger, boredom, grief, loss, change, relationships, career issues, and so on. Consider how growth in wisdom and virtue can help with these: how growth in reason and courage can reduce anxiety, or how cultivating genuine hope and purpose can overcome despair, or how greater self-respect or generosity can change a relationship. Consider also the clarity, meaning, and purposefulness that comes when you treat your daily challenges as opportunities to exercise greater wisdom and virtue. Imagine crafting yourself into somebody who is more strong, skillful, and good, which leads also to greater meaning, happiness, and flourishing.
Consider what it is like to find guidance for all that, through a profound philosophical tradition that is two and a half thousand years old. This tradition has given clarity and direction to so many people throughout those years, through ancient Greece, ancient Rome, medieval and Renaissance Europe, and continuing up to today, even if our present culture has lost sight of these depths such that many people now flounder. Many people--including those who have studied modern and post-modern philosophy--have no idea of the riches of ancient philosophy, its sophistication, detail, and depth, and the radical difference it can make to life. To share those riches is the purpose of my life, and the essence of the philosophical counselling which I offer to you.
You can read more about my approach here. You can read about making a booking here. See my other, central website here, where I describe my other projects, writing, and services.
