Philosophical counseling
Examine your own thinking and life through a philosophical dialogue! We can meet in person or online. We also work in English.
In philosophical counselling, we explore the world of ideas and investigate the problems and questions that arise from your life. The philosopher is your guide, your companion and your adversary. He asks you questions, offers new concepts and ideas, and helps you to critically scrutinise your own thinking.
The goal of the conversation is a deeper understanding of both your particular situation and life in its totality.
What topics can philosophical counselling help with?
Philosophical counselling can be beneficial for people who find themselves in complex and confusing life situations and would like to understand them more.
Philosophy may not tell them exactly what to do. However, it can help them to think more clearly about their situation. Philosophical counselling is not suitable for people who are being treated for psychological difficulties.
moral dilemas
existencial crisis
spiritual experience
feeling lost or stuck in life
How does philosophical counselling differ from psychotherapy?
Philosophical counselling is not a form of psychotherapy. Unlike psychotherapy, it does not try to help the client feel better or make their problems go away. It aims to help them see the world more truthfully. This can, of course, sometimes feel uncomfortable. Instead of solving people's problems, it can complicate them even further. Why would anyone seek it out then? There is no simple answer to this. If we were to put forward our best guess, it would be something along the lines that philosophizing makes one's life richer and fuller.
Philosophical counselling at the Modern Mind Centre is led by Adam Lalák.
Adam studied Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, where he became more interested in the human mind and all its mysteries. He is now pursuing a PhD in Philosophy at Ludwig-Maximillians Universität in Germany. In his research, he explores the relationship between thinking and spirituality. He has received training in philosophical counselling at the Institut de Pratiques Philosophiques in France and at the Socratisch Gesprech in Holland. Since 2021 he has been leading the Czech organization Institute of Living Philosophy, which organizes experiential philosophy courses for the public. He has also worked in business, in the non-profit sector and in education.
Adam is a philosopher for whom deep conversations with real people have always been more interesting than old books. He sometimes feels that academic philosophy has lost touch with what it means to be human. He believes that philosophy should primarily be concerned with the real problems of human life and it should aim to help us live better. This is exactly what he strives for as a philosophical counsellor. In his view, philosophical counselling is an interesting alternative to psychology, religion and new-age esotericism.
Place. Consultations are provided in person at Národní 11, Prague 1 (4th floor) or online via Google Meet (or another tool).
Consultation duration. Individual consultations are 50 minutes, unless otherwise agreed upon.
Cancellation. Once confirmed, the appointment is binding. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please inform your therapist via text message or email at least 48 hours before the appointment. If you cancel or reschedule after this time, you will be charged 50% of the consultation price.
Lenght of cooperation. We offer both one-time consultations and longer-term cooperation. One-time consultations can be framed as counseling; however, with most clients, we work within a longer time frame. This allows us to develop a better understanding and delve deeper into the issues. The frequency of sessions is always determined by mutual agreement. Most often, we meet once every two weeks for several months
My work rests on two main pillars.
Cient-Centric Approach: Every client is unique and every life situation deserves philosophical attention in my eyes. I am deeply committed to providing care for each individual client. My approach involves active listening, genuine sympathy, and a commitment to understanding the nuances of their experiences.
Exploration of Fundamental Human Truths: Aligned with a rich philosophical tradition dating back to ancient Greece, my work is characterized by a dedicated pursuit of the fundamental truths inherent in human life. In the realm of philosophical counseling, I view our engagement as a collaborative journey between two individuals, each with their own narratives, embarking on a shared quest for deeper understanding and insight.
The cost for an individual consultation with Adam Lalák is 1500 Kč for a 50-minute session.
Payment is made after the session and can be done in cash or via a QR code.
Make an appointment
Where to find us
Adsress
Národní 11 (4. floor)
110 00, Praha 1
Česká Republika