Beyond The Couch
Why We Need Philosophers In Mental Health Treatment
Before I go any further—Happy New Year! If you’re reading this, you survived the festive period.
I saw a post on LinkedIn recently that piqued my interest:
He kind of has a point. Psychology itself is a discipline that is an offshoot of philosophy, and the mental health landscape is evolving very quickly, in response to the great and ever-growing level of need. While traditional therapeutic approaches like psychiatry and psychology remain vital, there is a growing number of voices calling for a broader, more holistic understanding of mental well-being. This has been seen in the growth of social prescribing and health and wellbeing coaching, as well as the advent of new professions such as Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners and Educational Mental Health Practitioners.
This is where philosophy, often relegated to dusty bookshelves and academic halls, can step into the spotlight, offering a powerful and underutilized set of tools to address the complex challenges of the human condition. It's time to argue not just for the inclusion of philosophical perspectives, but for the active integration of philosophers and philosophical practices into mental health treatment. Why do we limit trainee schemes, as an example, to graduates of psychology and other members of the medical model?
For too long, mental health has been largely dominated by a medical model that focuses on diagnosing and treating illness, often through medication and symptom management. While effective for many, this approach can sometimes overlook the deeper, existential dimensions of human suffering. Anxiety, depression, and other forms of distress are not always simply chemical imbalances or cognitive distortions; they can also be rooted in fundamental questions about meaning, purpose, values, and our place in the world. This is precisely where philosophy excels.
The Examined Life: A Pathway to Well-being
Philosophy, at its core, is the pursuit of wisdom and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the universe. It provides a framework for examining our beliefs, values, and assumptions, encouraging us to live more consciously and authentically. Socrates said that "[t]he unexamined life is not worth living." On the face of it, it might appear as an abstract idea but it’s actually a call to engage in the kind of critical self-reflection that can lead to profound personal growth and healing. I try not to talk in absolutes but I can’t help but feel sure that healing from mental ill-health and trauma cannot happen without a cultivation of some sort of self-awareness.
Philosophical counselling or existential psychotherapy both demonstrate the practical application of these principles. Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on past traumas or dysfunctional behaviours, these approaches help individuals explore their present concerns through the lens of philosophical concepts. It equips them with the tools of critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and existential inquiry to navigate life's challenges, clarify their values, and cultivate a stronger sense of purpose.
More Than Talk: Practical Philosophy in Action
The benefits of philosophy extend beyond individual counselling—the fun doesn’t stop there! While these might sound esoteric or niche, the truth is that philosophical approaches are already intertwined with existing therapeutic frameworks. This is usually without explicit or formal recognition. Some examples include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT's emphasis on challenging negative thought patterns is deeply rooted in philosophical principles, particularly Stoicism. Stoic philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius argued that our emotional distress is often caused not by external events, but by our judgments and interpretations of those events. CBT borrows this core idea, helping individuals identify and modify their cognitive distortions (e.g., catastrophizing, overgeneralizing) to develop more balanced and realistic perspectives.
It also incorporates Socratic questioning, a method of inquiry that uses probing questions to expose underlying assumptions and contradictions, which is also a powerful tool employed in CBT to help patients examine the validity of their thoughts. By explicitly incorporating these philosophical underpinnings, therapists can help clients understand not just how to change their thoughts, but also why it is beneficial to do so.
Psychotherapy (General): Many forms of psychotherapy, even those not explicitly labelled "existential," draw upon philosophical concepts related to free will, responsibility, and the search for meaning. Exploring a client's sense of agency and their capacity to make choices aligns with existentialist ideas about freedom and responsibility.
Psychotherapists often help clients grapple with questions of values and purpose, echoing the philosophical quest for a meaningful life. Further, the concept of the "self" is central to many psychotherapeutic approaches, and this concept has been debated and refined by philosophers for centuries. By explicitly drawing on relevant philosophical frameworks like virtue ethics or exploring the philosophical perspectives of thinkers like Nietzsche, psychotherapists can enrich their approach. For example, Nietzsche's concept of self-overcoming can be a valuable framework when working with clients who are struggling with motivation or procrastination.
In short?
Integrating philosophy into mental health care requires a shift in perspective and a willingness to embrace interdisciplinary collaboration. It means training philosophers in therapeutic techniques and creating pathways for them to work alongside mental health professionals. It also means educating clinicians about the potential benefits of philosophical approaches and encouraging them to incorporate philosophical inquiry into their practice.
The challenges facing mental health are multifaceted and demand innovative solutions. By embracing the wisdom of philosophy and welcoming philosophers into the fold, we can create a more comprehensive, humane, and ultimately more effective approach to mental well-being. It's time to move beyond a narrow focus on pathology and embrace the full spectrum of human experience, recognizing that the examined life, guided by philosophical insight, can be a powerful path to healing and flourishing. The future of mental well-being may just lie in the wisdom that has been waiting for us, on those dusty bookshelves, all along.
Can you help me?
This might feel weirdly self-interested but… yes. I am a mental health professional who, for reasons unknown, has two degrees in philosophy.
My experience in mental health as well as my knowledge of philosophy can help you think about the content of your own thoughts, whether you ought to trust your own thoughts (there’s a book to be written on this…) and if you are working towards your potential and your purpose.
Go ahead. Please get in touch:
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