Philosophical Counseling
At Curious Soul Philosophy, we develop the practical value of philosophy for everyday life. Individual philosophical counseling is a way to explore the philosophical side of your life-challenges and quests in tailored, one-on-one dialogue.
In philosophical counseling, our focus is on your concerns, your struggles, your goals, and your dilemmas. Instead of studying a specific text together, we study your life together.
Philosophical counseling approaches the problems of life by dealing with their philosophical dimensions, like the search for meaning and purpose, the clarification of core beliefs and values, dealing with ethical dilemmas, grappling with issues of identity, coping with change and loss, understanding power relations, creating justice, and developing an empowered and authentic life.
What you get from your philosophical counselor is a thinking and deliberating partner with 20+ years of experience studying and teaching wisdom traditions, identifying and examining lines of reasoning and their effects, and thinking critically and creatively about life. Your philosophical counselor's agenda is simply to help you to discover, examine, and execute your agenda in a reflective and deliberate way.
In philosophical counseling, our focus is on your concerns, your struggles, your goals, and your dilemmas. Instead of studying a specific text together, we study your life together.
Philosophical counseling approaches the problems of life by dealing with their philosophical dimensions, like the search for meaning and purpose, the clarification of core beliefs and values, dealing with ethical dilemmas, grappling with issues of identity, coping with change and loss, understanding power relations, creating justice, and developing an empowered and authentic life.
What you get from your philosophical counselor is a thinking and deliberating partner with 20+ years of experience studying and teaching wisdom traditions, identifying and examining lines of reasoning and their effects, and thinking critically and creatively about life. Your philosophical counselor's agenda is simply to help you to discover, examine, and execute your agenda in a reflective and deliberate way.
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 life 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, integrity, creativity, empowerment, freedom, and fulfillment.
I am certified in philosophical counseling, which you should know is different from psychological counseling. I do not diagnose or treat emotional or behavioral disorders, but 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 you should know is different from psychological counseling. I do not diagnose or treat emotional or behavioral disorders, but 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!
You might think of a philosophical counselor as a navigation partner for the uncharted waters of life . . . someone with a lot of good questions, a discerning ear, a box full of critical thinking tools for examining ideas, a broad array of philosophical perspectives that can open up thinking, an empathetic heart, an open mind, and an ability to hold on to humor, even when the waters get rough.
My influences
My primary interest in philosophy is Ethics. Ethics is the field of philosophy that deals with how to live better, and asks what "better" even means for human beings. It examines values and deals with questions surrounding priorities, commitments, character, integrity, treating others and oneself with care and respect, and pursuing freedom, justice, and authenticity. I'm deeply influenced by the ancient Greeks, existentialists, and feminists in my own thinking, but I draw on insights from a broad array of thinkers and traditions in conversation (though I don't always mention them by name), such as:
My primary interest in philosophy is Ethics. Ethics is the field of philosophy that deals with how to live better, and asks what "better" even means for human beings. It examines values and deals with questions surrounding priorities, commitments, character, integrity, treating others and oneself with care and respect, and pursuing freedom, justice, and authenticity. I'm deeply influenced by the ancient Greeks, existentialists, and feminists in my own thinking, but I draw on insights from a broad array of thinkers and traditions in conversation (though I don't always mention them by name), such as:
Socrates |
Jean-Jacques Rousseau |
Friedrich Nietzsche |
Michel Foucault |
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"