Sophia is not a psychological counselling service nor a pastoral counselling service.

Philosophical counselling, at least how it is practiced at Sophia, is markedly distinct from psychological counselling. Even though psychology evolved from philosophy, today psychology is a completely different subject and has fundamentally different aims than philosophy.

Philosophical counselling is also distinct from pastoral counselling, although, there are fairly close ties between the two. Philosophy and theology, for instance, share deep historical roots and ask very similar questions.  

So what is Sophia?

Sophia is a philosophical counselling service.

What is philosophy?

Philosophy is the study of the most general and abstract features of the world. It requires us to think about the most general and abstract features of ourselves, others, and the universe. Thinking and examining our thoughts are very important in philosophy.

What is philosophical counselling?

Thinking and examining our thoughts are also very important in philosophical counselling. More specifically, philosophical counselling helps individuals exercise and sharpen their reasoning and critical thinking skills in order to overcome problems and challenges. Philosophical counselling helps people to think clearer, more consistently, and more coherently all of which are necessary and very important when faced with difficulties in life.

How does Sophia help you overcome challenges?

At Sophia individuals are given the opportunity to think and, most importantly, achieve clear, consistent, and coherent thought. When this kind of thinking is achieved a person’s overall outlook on themselves and on life can dramatically improve. When a person can think clearly, consistently, and coherently any problems or challenges that they’re facing are usually conceived of as less severe, more tolerable, more positive, or even no longer a problem at all.

At Sophia individuals are never told what they should think. Being told what to think is anti-philosophical. Instead, Sophia helps a person understand the thoughts they have in order to come to an understanding and then a resolution of any problems. In this respect, the person comes to an understanding and resolution on their own, by virtue of their own thinking, and not as a result of the biases or preferences of the counsellor. This makes it easier for them to apply their new knowledge again in the future without the need for further counselling.

It should also be noted that Sophia doesn’t focus on a person’s behaviour. For example, behaviour modification is not the goal. On the contrary, a person’s behaviour is considered to be seldomly the root of a problem.

What happens in a session at Sophia?

Above all, individuals at Sophia are given the opportunity to think and examine their thoughts. This is done largely through dialogue, by continually raising questions, and, when appropriate, by considering different philosophers and/or philosophical concepts.

Issues, such as, ethics, morality, values, truth, justice, responsibility, duty, identity, change, adversity, time, death, God, religion, meaning, purpose, and existential angst are examples of some of the more specific topics that can be discussed at Sophia. These issues are philosophical in nature and so, naturally, they can be discussed in philosophical counselling as opposed to in psychological and psychiatric counselling which are forms of counselling not designed to address these topics.

Where is Sophia?

Sophia is 100% online. This makes it easy to connect from wherever you are. All appointments are held on Google Meet which provides meetings that are secure and easy to use (e.g., you can join the meeting using any web browser and you don’t have to download additional software).

Appointments can be arranged by submitting your information on the form found on the Contact page.