Sophia is not a psychological counselling service.

The majority of counselling that is offered in North America especially is psychological in nature. Psychological counselling is so prevalent that some people might believe that it’s the only kind of counselling that can help people. A quick Google search of the word ‘counselling’ explains why people may think this. However, of course there are many types of counselling that can help people. Pastoral counselling, legal counselling, financial counselling and marriage counselling are some examples just to name a few. Each of these different types of counselling helps people achieve some kind of aim.

So what is Sophia?

Sophia is philosophical counselling. In other words, it counsels its clients in the area of philosophy. It helps its clients learn how to think philosophically and ultimately live a philosophical life.

Sophia is also 100% online. This makes it easy to connect from wherever you are. All appointments are held on Google Meet which provides meetings that are secure and easy to use (e.g., you can join the meeting using any web browser and you don’t have to download additional software). Appointments can be arranged by submitting your information on the form found on the Contact page.

How does Sophia help you to think “philosophically”?

Philosophy concerns (a) the nature of knowledge, (b) reality, and (c) existence. Therefore, when we think “philosophically” we are thinking about what we know, what is real, and what exists. We can only discern these things through reason and critical thought so Sophia’s primary aim is to help its clients sharpen and deepen their critical thinking skills. This is done largely through dialogue, by continually raising questions, and by considering different philosophers and/or philosophical concepts. At Sophia individuals are never outright told what they should do or what they should think. Being told what to do or what to think is unequivocally anti-philosophical. At Sophia the client is, instead, given the opportunity to analyze their thoughts, assumptions, intentions, and desires as a way to gain a better understanding and outlook.

How does Sophia help you overcome challenges?

By sharpening one’s critical thinking skills and learning how to think philosophically people can dramatically improve their outlook on themselves and life. As a result, this changes their outlook on problems and challenges. For instance, with a philosophical outlook problems and challenges are usually conceived of as less severe, more tolerable, and more positively.

It’s important to note that Sophia doesn’t try to change a person. Behaviour modification, for example, is never the goal. Far from trying to change a person the aim at Sophia is to help the client use the capabilities and belief system that they already have in order to come to an understanding and resolution of any problems. In this respect, the client comes to an understanding and resolution on their own and not as a result of the biases or preferences of the counsellor. This makes it easier for the client to apply their new outlook again in the future and without further counselling.

This kind of approach only comes from philosophical counselling. It isn’t used in other types of counselling, such as, psychological and psychiatric counselling which can either overtly or covertly attempt to change a person and oftentimes create an environment where people become dependent on their counsellor and/or the medication they are prescribed.

What are examples of the kinds of issues discussed at Sophia?

Ethics, morality, values, truth, justice, responsibility, duty, self-identity, change, adversity, time, death, God, religion, meaning, purpose, and existential angst are examples of some of the issues discussed at Sophia. These issues are philosophical in nature. Psychological and psychiatric counselling are not designed to help individuals in these matters.