We have all heard of the some of the original pioneers in modern day psychology such as Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud as well as legendary philosophers LaoTzu, Aristotle, and Socrates. However, major shifts are starting to happen in both fields that are very exciting.
In the book “Plato Not Prozac” written by Lou Marinoff, PhD, Lou talks much about a tipping point that is happening in the world of psychology and philosophy. A relatively new field called “Philosophical Counseling” is gaining momentum.
Marinoff, who is the founding president on American Philosophical Practitioners Association, says that his clients don’t need to be seen for 5 years going on and on talking about their past or their parents. Most only need to be seen once, or a few times, and the longest he has had to see a client is one year. Very different than the more traditional cognitive or developmental psychology. People who are looking for answers in their life are learning the teachings of philosophers not psychology.
We don’t need to look at our past and dissect why things happened. It happened. Good for it. What you CAN change, which is more philosophically based is THE FUTURE.
Totally “psyched” about this as a part of the postmodern shift. I am a theraist who typically sees clients for about 10 times (usually not more than 20). I practice solution-focused brief therapy and get kind of grossed out by some of the long-term therapy stuff. Those older theories may be helpful in understanding the development of pathology but, don’t see too effective in actually creating change. …
Interesting stuff!