News from SUNY Cortland

For more information contact: Jean Palmer, 607-753-2232

SUNY Cortland Philosophy Faculty Seek Candidates For Research Study

Philosophical Counseling An Alternative To Help People Understand Problems

CORTLAND, NY (04/11/2008; 1343)(readMedia)-- The SUNY Cortland faculty now includes two certified philosophical counselors, Andrew Fitz-Gibbon, assistant professor of philosophy, and Kathy Russell, professor and chair of the Philosophy Department. The two are currently looking for clients to participate free of charge in their study on the effectiveness of this relatively new form of counseling.

“This type of counseling is not for people who are mentally ill or have a psychological problem,” said Fitz-Gibbon. “It is intended for clients who are rational and functional and looking to resolve issues regarding morality or professional ethics, meaning, value or purpose, personal or professional fulfillment or an interpretation of changing circumstances. It has been referred to as ‘therapy for the sane.’”

Such counseling differs from psychological counseling because it is about educating the client in critical thinking, analysis and clarification of values, said Fitz-Gibbon.

“In philosophical counseling, clients talk about issues that concern them and, just like in other forms of talk therapy, the counselor does not force his or her viewpoint on the patient but follows the direction taken by the individual to work out the problem,” said Russell.

Philosophical counseling’s roots are found deep in the philosophical tradition dating back two-and-a-half millennia to Plato and Socrates. Its rebirth in North America and Europe began in the 1950s and 1960s with Mortimer Adler and Pierre Grimes, who both played an important role in the renaissance of practical philosophy and solving problems of everyday life, said Russell.

Currently there are approximately 2,000 philosophical practitioners in the United States.

“As in the classroom, philosophical practitioners engage in Socratic dialogue and try to encourage the clients to analyze what they really think,” said Russell. “We would examine whether their ideas involve inconsistencies or unexamined assumptions and what the implications or consequences of their thoughts are. Sometimes when someone realizes what he or she is taking for granted by articulating a certain position, he or she realizes that he or she needs to revise it because he or she doesn’t actually believe the assumptions are really true. Or, he or she recognizes that the logic of his or her position is faulty. This revision process is educational and often involves a resolution of confusion and a sense of peace.”

Counseling will be kept confidential, as is any other form of counseling, said Russell. Clients will meet discreetly with either Fitz-Gibbon or Russell in a public place to have a conversation. New clients will sign a form acknowledging consent to take part in the research.

“We take confidentiality very seriously,” Russell said. “During the initial consultation we will evaluate whether the person is suitable for philosophical counseling or, if in our professional opinion, should be referred to someone else for psychological counseling or psychotherapy.”

If the problem a participant presents is considered philosophically appropriate, subsequent sessions will occur until a resolved sense of closure is reached. At the conclusion of the sessions, the client will be asked to fill out a questionnaire that will be used to help the researchers determine if philosophical counseling is beneficial.

Russell and Fitz-Gibbon asserted that their practice is not only meaningful because of the research, but they also hope it will benefit the people they counsel.

“Compassionate listening is something that is important on a personal level and a social level,” said Russell, who became interested in philosophical counseling after reading the book, Plato Not Prozac! “I want to be part of talking to people on an individual level. I think it’s an important service.”

Their research has received approval from SUNY Cortland’s Institutional Review Board because it involves human subjects.

“Philosophical counselors must have a master’s degree or doctorate in philosophy, extensive experience and receive certification from the American Philosophical Practitioners Association,” said Fitz-Gibbon, who is the director of the SUNY Cortland Center for Ethics, Peace and Social Justice.

Russell and Fitz-Gibbon received primary certification from the American Philosophical Practitioners Association in February 2007.

Russell, who joined the SUNY Cortland faculty in 1985, received her doctorate in philosophy from the University of Cincinnati. Fitz-Gibbon earned a doctorate in social ethics from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the United Kingdom and joined SUNY Cortland in 2000. He also has more than 25 years of pastoral counseling experience. Both Russell and Fitz-Gibbon have taught philosophical concepts for many years.

“In order for us to receive full certification we have to complete this research,” Fitz-Gibbon said. “We hope to complete our research a year after we begin meeting with clients. The information will be reviewed by a senior practitioner and we hope our findings will be published in an international philosophy journal.”

For more information about philosophical counseling or to schedule a consultation, contact Russell at (607) 753-2014 or Fitz-Gibbon at (607) 753-2016.

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