Philosophical Counseling for the Gymnastics Community
In the gymnastics world, we tend to spend a lot of time developing our bodies, planning for skill-advancement, and concerning ourselves with winning competitions. We don't spend so much time on the philosophical side of sports, like considering what really matters in sports (is it just winning?), what are our values and goals as athletes and as whole human beings, which sacrifices are worth making and which are not, which methods are effective for learning and cultivate well-being, how to train in a way that builds not only physical strength, but strength of character, confidence, self-esteem, and empowerment, and how to build respectful communication between athletes, coaches, and parents.
Athletes, retired athletes, coaches, and parents need, from time to time, a "philosophical workout" to bring intention, vision, and direction to their lives in sports and beyond. It is too easy to just adopt goals and methods handed down to us from former generations, without thinking through their larger implications and consequences. It is too easy to fall into self-destructive patterns that lose sight of what is really good and healthy for us — for our bodies, minds, and relationships.
In offering philosophical counseling for the gymnastics community, philosopher and former gymnast Monica Vilhauer brings together the career of her youth (gymnastics) with the career of her adulthood (philosophy) to facilitate the conversations she wishes she, her parents, and her coaches had had access to throughout her gymnastics life-cycle. As a philosophical counselor, she helps clients think through issues of meaning and purpose, core beliefs and values, ethical dilemmas, crises of identity, difficulties coping with change and loss, power relations, and the work of developing an empowered and authentic life.
Athletes, retired athletes, coaches, and parents need, from time to time, a "philosophical workout" to bring intention, vision, and direction to their lives in sports and beyond. It is too easy to just adopt goals and methods handed down to us from former generations, without thinking through their larger implications and consequences. It is too easy to fall into self-destructive patterns that lose sight of what is really good and healthy for us — for our bodies, minds, and relationships.
In offering philosophical counseling for the gymnastics community, philosopher and former gymnast Monica Vilhauer brings together the career of her youth (gymnastics) with the career of her adulthood (philosophy) to facilitate the conversations she wishes she, her parents, and her coaches had had access to throughout her gymnastics life-cycle. As a philosophical counselor, she helps clients think through issues of meaning and purpose, core beliefs and values, ethical dilemmas, crises of identity, difficulties coping with change and loss, power relations, and the work of developing an empowered and authentic life.
Philosophical Counseling for Gymnasts
Philosophical Counseling for Retired Gymnasts
Philosophical Counseling for Parents of Gymnasts
Philosophical Counseling for Gymnastics Coaches
Meet Your Counselor
Hi, I'm Monica Vilhauer and I have been studying and teaching philosophy for over 20 years. A few years ago, I decided to shift my focus from academic philosophy to the practical value of philosophy, and turn my efforts to sharing philosophy in a way that speaks to the problems we deal with everyday — the problems of meaning, values, integrity, creativity, empowerment, freedom, and fulfillment.
I am certified in philosophical counseling, which is different from psychotherapy in some important ways. Philosophical counseling is a non-medical intervention into life's problems, with the goal of enhancing clarity, choice, self-realization, and happiness in one's life. I do not diagnose or treat emotional or behavioral disorders. I do help you to work through big questions that can be at the root of many kinds of human distress, angst, and perplexity, like:
Dare to ask big questions!
I am certified in philosophical counseling, which is different from psychotherapy in some important ways. Philosophical counseling is a non-medical intervention into life's problems, with the goal of enhancing clarity, choice, self-realization, and happiness in one's life. I do not diagnose or treat emotional or behavioral disorders. I do help you to work through big questions that can be at the root of many kinds of human distress, angst, and perplexity, like:
- What do I really believe?
- What do I really care about?
- Who am I really, and who do I want to be?
- Are my time and efforts really aligned with my beliefs and values?
- How can I face change and loss?
- How can I improve or redesign my life?
- How can I best respect others in my life and myself?
- How can I better communicate with those I care about?
- How can I cope with power relations, fight for justice, and feel more empowered in my own life?
Dare to ask big questions!
My Qualifications
- Ph.D. in philosophy from the New School for Social Research in New York
- Certified in Philosophical Counseling through the American Philosophical Practitioners Association
- Over a decade of teaching experience in philosophy and gender studies as a college professor (earned tenure at Roanoke College in Virginia)
- Over a decade of coaching and counseling college students in critical thinking, analytical writing, effective communication skills, conflict resolution, ethics and values, issues surrounding gender and gender inequity, academic and life direction.
- A number of published articles on ethics and communication, and a book called Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other (Lexington Books, 2010)
- Co-creator of the Gender & Women's Studies program at Roanoke College
- Winner of Roanoke College's "Exemplary Professional Achievement Award"